The Prairie Table: Dining among the fields that feed us
The idea for The Prairie Table began in a quiet barley field, where golden stalks swayed in the breeze and the story of the land seemed to whisper in every direction. In that stillness, the vision took root: to give everyday people, those not often exposed to farming, an opportunity to hear the stories behind their food, right there in the fields that feed them. This summer, that vision came to life.
ABOVE: An aerial view of The Prairie Table, hosted at Newman Farms.
Guests left Calgary for a short drive to the fifth-generation Newman Farms, hosted by Alberta Grains delegate LeRoy Newman, his wife Robin and their sons Aaron and Mitch. greeted immediately by a custom cocktail from Sugar Water Events, the soft strains of violin from Alberta Grains’ research project manager Dr. Keisha Hollman, and a barley field glowing in the evening light.
ABOVE: Alberta Grains’ research project manager Dr. Keisha Hollman provides afternoon entertainment.
The evening was a celebration of prairie life through all the senses. Visitors enjoyed appetizers made with locally grown ingredients, sampled honey straight from the Newman Farm hives, tasted craft beer from Hub Town Brewing in nearby Okotoks, and wandered displays that shared the farm’s history and legacy. Each element created a bridge between farm and city, past and present.
ABOVE: Tables are set for guests to enjoy their five-course meal.
As the sun dipped, guests made their way into the rustic dining area, pausing along the way to capture photos, laugh, and sink into the experience of being surrounded by the beautiful crop and farmyard. Dinner, prepared by Visionary Catering under Chef Ela Luc, was a feast as much for the eyes as the palate: beef tenderloin canapés, roasted carrot salad with whipped feta and edible soil, braised beef in sake and soy reduction over creamy parsnip, and lemon cheesecake mousse with grilled peaches and sugar crumble. Each dish was a reminder that the story of food begins long before it reaches the plate.
ABOVE: Guests enjoy dinner inside the rustic dining area.
Midway through the meal, rain began to fall, a sudden prairie storm. Far from disrupting the evening, it became a shared moment of joy. Guests raised glasses alongside farmers, laughter blending with the sound of raindrops on the fields. For the farmers, it was a blessing for the crops; for the visitors, it was an unforgettable glimpse into the rhythms of farm life. By the time dinner ended, the clouds parted to reveal a brilliant double rainbow stretching over the barley, perfect symbol of two worlds meeting in harmony.
ABOVE: Guests enjoy a drink while admiring the rainbow in the distance.
The Prairie Table was more than a meal. It was an experience, a story and a connection: between the land and the people who cultivate it, between farmers and the community they feed, and between every bite and the journey it represents.