‘Local on Lorax’ celebrates food, art and music

Sunday’s ‘Farm & Art Dinner’ to benefit Welcome Center

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PITTSBORO — For those who attend Sunday’s “Local on Lorax” event, the anticipation may largely be about the food — and spectacular food at that, featuring a multi-course meal assembled by 11 supremely talented Chatham chefs from locally sourced ingredients.

There will also be local drink offerings, as well as music and art on display.

But for Greg Lewis — who does turns as chef at his own restaurant, The Sycamore, in Pittsboro — Sunday’s event is about feeding more than just the “Local” patrons.

He says the event, the proceeds of which will benefit the Chatham County Welcome Center, will also help feed the community — in a manner of speaking.

“I’m not just talking in terms of food,” explains Lewis, one of Local on Lorax’s organizers. “I mean economically. I would like to make a distinction, here, between local and locally owned. Shopping local means shopping, or dining, at an establishment in your community. This would include national chains.”

A good thing, he says, to keep tax dollars local and employ residents.

“But even more important is shopping locally owned. In addition to tax dollars, a much higher percentage of business revenue stays circulating within your community when you do so. Locally owned businesses tend to stay local and purchase from their friends and neighbors when seeking supplies and services. They support your local sports teams as well as your local nonprofits.”

The Chatham County Welcome Center, in Pittsboro, which has no other source of funding, helps spotlight and promote that notion of local for visitors. There’s plenty of that here to show off, Lewis says, emphasizing that “locally owned” also brings uniqueness, flavor and charm to the community.

On Sunday, it’s flavor that’ll be in focus. Local on Lorax began as “Local on Main,” a downtown meal in Pittsboro focused on the connection between local chefs and ties to local agriculture. It’s since expanded — not only to The Plant, the eco-industrial park east of downtown, but to include other parts of the county. Chefs from Siler City, Goldston and areas north of Pittsboro will have a hand in preparing Sunday’s meal.

The News + Record spoke to Lewis about Local on Lorax:

Let’s dig into it: from a food and artistic standpoint, what local farms and creations will be on display at this event?

From a food perspective, you will see some interesting and creative flavor combinations like Lemonade Pickled Shrimp, a Polenta Bar with field greens, or Beef Bobotie with saffron rice, carrots and toasted coconut. Farms such as Lilly Den Farm, Massey Creek Farms, Lyon Farm and East Branch Ginger will be represented on the menu, as well as local beef from Chatham Meat Co.

Local artistry will be on display with the seven rabbits that were decorated by artists from Pittsboro Gallery of Arts for the Found It! Chatham Rabbit Hunt. We are selling raffle tickets to win one and will hold the drawing at Local on Lorax. Tables will be graced with arrangements created by talented volunteers showcasing beautiful flowers from Heart Song Farm.

All proceeds will benefit the Welcome Center in Pittsboro. Remind us what the Welcome Center delivers for Pittsboro and Chatham County, and why it needs support?

The Welcome Center connects visitors and residents with Chatham County. Whether it’s shopping, dining, recreating, history or enjoying a local event you are looking for, we can help get you there. One of the best things we offer is personal interaction with a friendly face, a person enthusiastic about Chatham County and wanting to help you explore it. I think that is so important for people wanting to connect with the community, especially for those moving to the area. Our staff and volunteers are here to say, “Welcome! Let us help you get to know your new home.”

What can those who go to “Local on Lorax” expect to experience?

A fun, elegant evening which starts with a half hour of butlered hors d’oeuvres and an opportunity to explore some of the offerings at The Plant. During the four-course meal that follows, guests will be entertained by Dave Quick Jazz. There should be plenty of space for dancing, and we hope to see folks taking advantage of that. Lastly, we will have a small auction.

 

Tickets are $125 per person. That’s a lot, but those who have attended before say it’s well worth it. Why?

It may seem like a lot, but think about this: you will be experiencing an evening at the always-fun-to-be-at The Plant, where 11 talented Chatham County chefs have come together to prepare a unique menu created just for this event. You will be supporting local farms. Our chefs will be using locally sourced ingredients but do not ask farms to donate food. Participating restaurants purchase products for their dishes from the farms, and we reimburse them for those purchases.

Also, please remember, this is our main fundraiser. Our financial support comes solely through private donations and this event. Contrary to what some may believe, we do not receive any funding from the county nor any municipality.

Which restaurants are involved?

Postal Fish Company, Cafe Root Cellar, The Beagle, Beans Fire Grill, The Traveling Cafe, Lilly Den Farm Meats and Eats, Capp’s Pizzeria and Trattoria, Carolina Cravings, Angelina’s Kitchen, Small B&B Cafe, The Sycamore. Beverages will be available to purchase from Fair Game Beverage Company, Starrlight Mead, bmc brewing, Vortex Roasters and Chatham Cider Works.

And what’s on the menu?

As you can see, we have a lot of restaurant participation, so the menu is extensive. I’ve mentioned a few items, but to see the full menu and for ticket details, folks can visit our event page: https://facebook.com/events/s/local-on-lorax-a-farm-art-dinn/6497136453670161/.