I have always respected Mariquita Farm for their sense of community and their use of direct fundraising to help that community when possible. Last year, I wrote about an event that Andy and Julia of Mariquita held at their farm when one of their employees was in a car accident.
After Hurricane Rita this year, Andy and Julia saw another need that they could fulfill, and went to work doing so. Instead of holding an event to give money to the Red Cross or another big organization, Julia contacted Slow Food Louisiana and was connected with Taylor's Happy Oaks, a Louisiana farm that is a lot like Mariquita and that had been hurt in the hurricane.
Combine Mariquita's produce and goats with chef Anne Gingrass and her restaurant Desiree, and a fundraising event was created. Last Friday night, a dinner cost of $45 was admittance to a wonderful dinner at Desiree Cafe in the Presidio.
Potato and caviar puree with cucumbers and flat bread
Pimientos de Padron sauteed in olive oil
Lemon and egg soup
Eggplant and feta cheese salad with paprika and cilantro vinaigrette
Roast goat with green olives and buttered Israeli couscous
Baklava with frozen honey yogurt