Ecology Center Community Table - Summer 2024

The Ecology Center Presents Summer 2024 Community Table Dinner Series

Experience the Bounty of Summer at the 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified™ Farm’s Exclusive Dinners Featuring an Eclectic New Chef Lineup

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PRESS RELEASE by The ACE Agency—-

Ecology Center Community Table – Summer 2024 —-

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., (May 15, 2024) – The Ecology Center, nestled in the serene landscape of San Juan Capistrano, California, has announced the return of its renowned Community Table dinner series for the summer 2024 season, taking place every Friday from June through August. Amidst the balmy evenings and vibrant sunsets, guests are invited to indulge in an unforgettable dining experience under the stars where the dialogue between farm, chef and community comes alive on a plate. Each dinner will showcase the vibrant seasonal produce from the center’s sustainable farm, transforming it into memorable conversations.

Guests enjoy a communal meal at the Community Table, fostering connection and sustainability. Image courtesy of The Ecology Center.

“The Ecology Center is deeply committed to nurturing the bond between food, community and nature,” explains Evan Marks, Founder and Executive Director of The Ecology Center. “By inviting these renowned culinary artists to our farm, we not only open doors to new ingredients, but also ignite their passion with the rich tapestry of our bio region’s historic food-ways, fostering a deeper connection with the land. This intimate, family-style feast showcases thoughtfully crafted courses, each one a testament to the transformative power of fresh farm produce. As we continue to innovate, we strive to inspire both our guests and chefs, emphasizing the importance of sourcing locally and honoring the journey from farm to table.”

Experience the joy of community dining, where each dish has a story to tell. Image courtesy of The Ecology Center.

Inspired by the season’s bounty, each chef will compose an Eco-conscious menu that harmonizes with the vibrant palette of fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries grown and cultivated on the farm.

This summer’s chef lineup includes:

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Community Table with Chef Charlie Ray of Culinary Wildling
- A renowned “traveling creator” featured on Food Network and Amazon Prime, brings innovation and sustainability to her exceptional evening with The Ecology Center.
Community Table with Chef Davin Waite of the Plot (Plant-Based Special Dinner)
- A local legend in the sustainable food scene, renowned for his innovative approach to cooking. As co-owner of Oceanside’s Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub, The Plot, Shoots Fish x Beer, and Brine Box, he celebrates local ingredients and minimizes food waste.
Community Table with Chef Joshua Gil of Mirate
- Chef Joshua of Mírate brings a Californian twist to Mexican fare, complemented by a “farm-to-bar” cocktail program.
Community Table with Chef Reyna Venegas of Rancho La Puerta
- Executive Chef Reyna Venegas fuses the culinary and cultural heritages of her own Northern Baja California roots to prepare fresh and delicious food that energizes, inspires, and nourishes guests. Gather on the farm for a fireside dinner with Chef Venegas.
Community Table with Chef Joe Bower of Finca
- Chef Joe Bower brings his culinary expertise from Atlanta to Albuquerque to San Diego’s Finca, offering inventive tapas with global flavors and locally sourced produce, earning acclaim with prestigious awards.

With an intimate setting for only 80 guests per dinner, these gatherings promise an authentic farm-to-table experience. The evening unfolds with a convivial happy hour in the picturesque courtyard, followed by an enlightening farm tour where guests can pluck seasonal produce straight from the vine. Culminating in a sumptuous multicourse meal, meticulously crafted by the region’s culinary luminaries, each dish promises to be a testament to their unique culinary vision, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience for all.

Community Table dinners are more than just a culinary indulgence; they are a celebration of sustainability and regenerative farming practices. Each ingredient utilized is not only organic but also regenerative, reflecting The Ecology Center’s unwavering commitment to nurturing the earth and fostering a thriving ecosystem.

Tickets and Information

Tickets for each dinner are priced at $160-$175 per person, offering a fixed course, family-style menu that captures the essence of the season. Dinners will commence at 6 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. To reserve a seat at the table and explore the lineup of participating chefs, please visit, TheEcologyCenter.org/Community-Table.

For more information about The Ecology Center follow @TheEcologyCenter or visit TheEcologyCenter.org and subscribe to the newsletter. To experience the superior quality of hyper-local ingredients harvested on-site and purchase goods from 100 small artisan makers throughout the region, visit The Ecology Center’s Farm Stand, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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About The Ecology Center

The Ecology Center is a non-profit 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified™ farm and education center located in San Juan Capistrano, California that serves as a hub for southern California’s ecological movement. Founded by Evan Marks in 2008, the internationally-renowned organization attracts culinary and creative collaborators from around the world, partnerships with some of the most innovative and sustainable brands, and over 100,000 visitors annually. With a holistic approach that integrates the incubation of the next generation of agricultural, culinary, and educational leaders with the creation of a vibrant community resource and gathering place to inspire all, they are actively building a more abundant future, one that the next generations will be proud to inherit.