RampFest

The Land Connection would like to thank everyone who supported the 2009 RampFest Benefit Tasting & Auction at Garfield Park Conservatory on April 3. With your support we raised more than $26,000, helping us move forward with planning for our fifth year of Central Illinois Farm Beginnings, our year-long farmer training program, and expand our farmland access program. Our new venue–Garfield Park Conservatory–was a perfect location to celebrate the arrival of Spring.

All of the ramps for the occasion were donated by Kris and Marty Travis, the stewards of Spence Farm. We are thankful to emcee Bill Kurtis and auctioneer Larry Wettstein and to our generous sponsors and dedicated volunteers.

We would also like to thank the chefs and restaurants who transformed the first ramp harvest of the year into a mouth-watering array of spectacular dishes:

• Chef Paul Kahan, Blackbird Restaurant
• Chef Chris Opper, Food For Thought
• Chef John Bubala, Kendall Culinary College
• Chef Tony Galzin, mk Restaurant
• Chef Carrie Nahabedian, NAHA
• Chef Sarah Stegner & Chef George Bumbaris, Prairie Grass Cafe
• Chef Patrick S. Sheerin, The Signature Room at the 95th
• Chef Jonathan Goldsmith, Spacca Napoli Pizzeria
• Chef Jeff Muldrow, Va Pensiero
• Chef Paul Virant, Vie Restaurant