An intimate night with James Beard finalist and semi-finalist chefs from local La Crosse Distilling Co., Viroqua’s Driftless Café, and Milwaukee’s DanDan. On Tuesday, February 26, La Crosse Distilling Co. will host the Fieldnotes Dinner Series to benefit the Mid West Music Fest, a non-profit, multi-venue, multi-genre music festival held in downtown La Crosse, Wis. and Winona, Minn. since 2010.
The event will feature a one-of-a-kind, six-course meal prepared by chefs from the three renowned restaurants and paired with craft beer and La Crosse Distilling Co. spirits. The cost is $150/person and includes a six-course meal, drinks, music, a two-day pass to Mid West Music Fest (value $50) and all gratuity. Tickets are now on sale for the formal dinner fundraiser, and seating is limited to 40 guests. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with seating promptly at 6:15 pm with dinner beginning at 6:30 pm. There will be pre and post dinner music by Milwaukee Americana band Buffalo Gospel.
The event brings together some of the best in the industry, including the distillery’s Executive Chef Jorge Guzmán, who specializes in Mexican cuisine made from the freshest locally source ingredients. In addition to being a James Beard Best Chef Midwest finalist in 2017, Guzman has been featured on The Food Network and in Travel & Leisure, Time Magazine and Food & Wine.
Guzmán will be joined by chefs Dan Van Rite and Dan Jacobs from Milwaukee’s award-winning restaurant DanDan, which specializes in Chinese cuisine and Luke Zahm of Viroqua’s farm-to-table Driftless Cafe. These three chefs have been recognized as semifinalists in the Best Chef: Midwest category of the James Beard Foundation.
The chefs are donating their time and talents to cook up this delicious event menu.
1st Course – Jorge Guzmán
Albacore Agua Chile
ember-roasted cucumbers | yogurt | lime | mint
2nd Course – Jorge Guzmán
Charred Radicchio
pine nut mole | dill | smoked onions| black garlic
3rd Course – Luke Zahm
Beet Cured Salmon
masa | white pine broth | serrano & ground cherry salsa | achiote
4th Course – Luke Zahm
Duck
squash & goat cheese gnudi | kale | guajillo demi
5th Course – Dan Van Rite & Dan Jacobs
Koji Pork Collar
celery root | pipian roja | pumpkin seeds
6th Course – Dan Van Rite & Dan Jacobs
Milk Chocolate
white sesame crunch | tahini ganache | pocky
About Mid West Music Festival
Mid West Music Fest was born in 2009 when AmeriCorps volunteer Sam Brown was stationed in the historic city of Winona, beautifully nestled between the bluffs and the Mississippi River. Now entering its 10th year, Mid West Music Fest is a 4-day, two-weekend event with more than 100 acts and a dozen stages between the two historic cities–including many special events and collaborations throughout the year. The mission of the MWMF is to promote music and art in the region, creating opportunities for artists, stimulating downtown economic development, and providing diverse educational resources for artists, community members, and children. Learn More at www.midwestmusicfest.org or on Facebook.
About La Crosse Distilling Co.
Opened in August 2018, La Crosse Distilling Co. (129 Vine St.) is La Crosse’s first distillery. The 10,000 sq. ft. distillery offers handcrafted, organic spirits, tours and a tasting room serving specialty cocktails, lunch and dinner. Learn more at www.lacrossedistilling.co or on Facebook or Instagram.