Release Date: 09-09-2005

PORTLAND, Ore. — On Thursday September 22nd, the autumnal equinox, the Portland Chapter of the Chefs Collaborative and Ecotrust will host the “Autumn Graze,” our second annual fundraiser. The Autumn Graze is a celebration of our late summer and autumn bounty, and pairs chefs from twenty-five of Portland’s finest restaurants with the regions best growers, ranchers and fishermen. The event will also feature Oregon’s great wineries.

It’s a nosh-around format at the Natural Capital Center showcasing the fall harvest in a setting of “green building” architecture. Guests will sample the food and drink at stations throughout the building while dancing to the hip sound of Jack Straw and the Belmont Street Septet. A silent auction will feature unique dining opportunities including a Chef-Farmer-Winemaker dinner hosted by Greg Higgins of Higgins Restaurant and Bar, Anthony and Carol Boutard of Ayers Creek Farm, and John Paul of Cameron Winery.

Proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will help fund our annual Farmer-Chef and Fishermen-Chef Connection Programs. These one day seminars and their companion website are key direct marketing approaches to strengthening a regional food system and rebuilding vital connections between those who grow our food and those who prepare and present it.

The Farmer-Chef Connection and Fisherman-Chef Connection, hosted by Ecotrust and the Portland Chapter of the Chefs Collaborative, are innovative Market Connection programs that work to build regional food economies and strengthen urban-rural partnerships in the context of an ever globalizing and consolidating food industry. These programs seek to provide quality, not commodity products, grown as close to home as possible by producers who are employing best management practices. This program provides educational and networking services for farmers, ranchers, chefs, and retailers who are committed to expanding and strengthening regional and sustainable food systems.

Tickets are $75 for entrance from 7pm – 9:30pm or $100 for early admission starting at 6pm. Register for the event at: www.ecotrust.org/autumngraze/ or for questions 503-467-0764. Tickets also available at the door.

Participating Restaurants
Baker & Spice, Bon Appetit, Caffe Mingo, Carafe, Ciaovito, Culinary Artistry, Fife, fivespice, Genoa, Gotham Tavern, Grand Central Baking Company, Grolla Wine Bar, Heathman Restaurant, Higgins Restaurant & Bar, Hot Lips Pizza, Ken’s Artisan Bakery, Multnomah Athletic Club, New Seasons Market, Nourishment, Paley’s Place, Park Kitchen, Pix Patisserie and Brasserie, Saucebox, Three Square Grill, and Viande Meats and Sausage

Participating Wineries and Breweries
A to Z Wineworks, Andrew Rich, Argyle, Brick House, Chehalem Winery, Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Hair of the Dog Brewery, Laurelwood Public House & Brewery, Montinore Vineyards, Sineann/Owen Roe, Solena Cellars, and coffee by World Cup Coffee & Tea

Participating Farmers, Fishers and Ranchers
Ayers Creek Farm, Cattail Creek Farms, Columbia Blossom Orchards, Copenhaven Farms, Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Dancin’ Roots Farm, Ford Farms LLC, Freddy Guys Filberts, Gales Meadow Farm, Greener Pastures Poultry, Ladd Hill Orchards, L-Bar-T Bison Ranch, Liepold Farms, Monteillet Fromagerie, Mossback Farm, Prairie Creek Farm, Queener Fruit Farm, Rain Sheep, Sara-Joe’s Organic Pork Products, Sauvie Island Organics, Signature Salmon, SuDan Farm, Viridian Farms, Walnut Hill Farm, Western Oregon Organic Farms, Willamette Valley Cheese, and Your Kitchen Garden