Down to Earth Farm Feast at Babaroots

The herb tunnels at Babaroots and the fabulous Down to Earth food truck.

A few weeks ago the husband and I, along with a group of friends, attended Farm Feast 11 hosted by Down to Earth. The concept behind these pop-up events is to host a lunch or early dinner on a property that produces something special – cooking the entire meal in their fabulous mobile kitchen truck. From fresh herbs to farmed trout, they take inspiration from the land and the season and produce a menu that is simple, honest and simply delicious. "The goal of Down to Earth - Farm Feasts is not only to reconnect people to the origins of the food that we eat, but also to realize the importance of the quality of produce and appreciate and support the individuals and organizations that embrace this philosophy." 

 One long table was set up in between the herb tunnels.

From delicious welcome drinks to a variety of wines from small vineyards and beers from microbreweries (The Dog & Fig Brewery were at our feast, and their beers were fantastic!), there was boozy goodness in abundance. We lazily ate and drank the Sunday away amongst the herb tunnels at Babaroots, a fresh herb farm near Hartebeespoort Dam just outside Jhb. The menu kicked off with beer batter roosterkoek, one topped with mature gouda, kumquat preserve, roasted pine nuts & fennel, and the other with crushed herb mayo, braised blue wildebeest and smoked salt (these canapés were my favourite dishes of the day.) We then had some delicious curried tomato soup with herb filled vetkoek as a starter and for mains the table overflowed with herbed baby chickens, baby potatoes, sweet chilli creamed spinach and butter braised spring onions (yum!). The sweet ending was a Riesling poached pear tart with chai-spiced custard - what a way to end a fabulous day.

I absolutely love the concept and the relaxed way Danielle and Dany host the occasion, and I’m certain we’ll be attending another Feast soon.

PS Thanks to Babaroots for the box of herbs and veggies – we had delightful meals the whole week :)

Read more about Down to Earth – Farm Feasts here: www.downtoearth.travel and Babaroots here: www.babaroots.co.za and The Dog and Fig Brewery here. 

 Welcome drinks and wine & beer in abundance.

The feast.