The Farmer & The Chef

Join the Northwest Indiana Food Council for an unforgettable evening celebrating the farmers, chefs, food artisans, and community members who make a thriving local food system possible.

The Farmer & The Chef is more than a dinner—it’s a shared table and a celebration of the connections that bring local food from the farm to our plates.

Gather with friends, neighbors, farmers, chefs, food lovers, and community leaders for an elevated, multi-course dining experience featuring ingredients sourced from local farms and producers and thoughtfully prepared by talented regional chefs.

Featured Chefs

• Nick Alessandri — River Forest Schools
• Bob McClellan — Fuzzyline Brewing
• Michael Lanzerotte — Meraki Group
• Nicole Bissonette — Fish Camp
• Jack Velazquez — Hammond Area Career Center

As the Northwest Indiana Food Council celebrates its 10th anniversary, we’ll reflect on how far our local food community has come—and look ahead to what’s possible in the years to come. Throughout the evening, you’ll hear the stories behind the food, meet some of the people who grow and prepare it, and experience what can happen when a community comes together around local food.

🌱 Your Seat Makes an Impact

The Northwest Indiana Food Council works to cultivate a thriving food system in our region by strengthening connections among farmers, food businesses, organizations, and the communities they serve.

Proceeds from The Farmer & The Chef support the Food Council’s work to build a stronger, more connected, and more resilient local food system throughout Northwest Indiana.

This is an evening to eat well, meet your farmers, celebrate our chefs, connect with your community, and invest in the future of local food.

🍽️ An Evening Around the Table

The evening will feature:

• A welcoming reception with appetizers and specialty locally crafted beverages
• An immersive story walk bringing the work and impact of NWIFC to life
• A thoughtfully curated multi-course dinner featuring ingredients from local farms and producers
• Stories and introductions highlighting the farmers and chefs behind the meal
• Community-style tables designed to encourage conversation and connection
• Live art and musical entertainment in a warm, rustic atmosphere
• A curated silent auction featuring local experiences, products, and one-of-a-kind offerings
• Raffle opportunities and special fundraising moments throughout the evening
• Opportunities to directly support the Northwest Indiana Food Council and the future of our regional food system

✨ Come celebrate the people behind our food—and help us cultivate what comes next.

✨ Upgrade to the VIP Experience

Make your evening at The Farmer & The Chef even more memorable with our exclusive VIP experience featuring a special meet & greet with Abra Berens, James Beard Award semifinalist, chef, author, and advocate for Midwestern foodways.

Abra’s work brings together farming, cooking, seasonality, and community—making her a natural part of an evening celebrating the people and ingredients that define our regional food system.

Your $200 VIP ticket includes everything in General Admission, plus:

✨ Exclusive Meet & Greet with Abra Berens
Enjoy a special opportunity to meet Abra, connect over food and farming, and hear firsthand about her approach to seasonal cooking and celebrating the Midwest.

✨ VIP Pre-Event Reception
Join us for an intimate gathering designed for conversation and connection before the main event. Bring or purchase one of Abra’s cookbooks and have it personally signed during the reception.

✨ VIP Swag Tote
Take home a special collection of items selected exclusively for our VIP guests.

✨ Special VIP Recognition
Be recognized as one of the supporters helping the Northwest Indiana Food Council strengthen our local food system and cultivate what comes next.

Space for the VIP experience is limited. Reserve your VIP ticket early to be part of this special celebration.

🌾 Amplify Your Support — Become an Event Partner

Want to make an even greater impact? Consider becoming an Event Partner and help strengthen the Northwest Indiana Food Council’s work while celebrating with us at The Farmer & The Chef. (select sponsor our event button!)

🌱 Seed Partner — $500
Help plant the seeds for a stronger local food system. Your sponsorship includes two tickets to The Farmer & The Chef* along with recognition as a Seed Partner.

🌿 Roots Partner — $1,000
Help us grow deeper roots and expand our impact throughout Northwest Indiana. Your sponsorship includes four tickets to The Farmer & The Chef* along with recognition as a Roots Partner.

Your partnership helps amplify the impact of this special evening and supports the Food Council’s ongoing work to connect farmers, strengthen local food businesses, increase access to local food, and cultivate a thriving regional food system.

* Don’t need all of your included tickets? You may choose to donate any or all of them so a local farmer or community member can attend The Farmer & The Chef as our guest.