Eden East: Georgia Pellegrini to Join Kitchen as Part of Guest Chef Series

“The author of the best-selling Girl Hunter, Pellegrini grew up in upstate New York, where she learned to hunt and fish. Now a resident of Austin, Texas, she hunts, cooks, gathers, and loves all that the Southern landscape has to offer.” – GARDEN & GUN

   (AUSTIN, TX) — Celebrated true farm-to-table restaurant Eden East is pleased to announce that chef, television personality, author and outdoor adventurer Georgia Pellegrini will bring her talents to its kitchen at Springdale Farm the weekend of May 1-2. Known as a modern-day pioneer woman, Pellegrini — an avid hunter who has written numerous books about cooking and pioneer skills, and has practiced the culinary arts in restaurants both in the United States and abroad — will guest as part of Eden East‘s ongoing ‘Guest Chef Series’. Pellegrini‘s highly-anticipated appearance marks the second in the series; chef Matt Taylor of Swift’s Attic guested at the award-winning eatery this past February.

“Eden East is one of those rare restaurants that is worth a special journey,” commentsPellegrini. “It is unlike anything you’ll find in Austin, a place that enlivens all of the senses, so that food becomes experiential. Eating ingredients in an environment where they grow is a rare but important experience, one that humans should have as regularly as possible. We need to fill our hands with berries that we have picked ourselves, it’s only then that we feel truly full.”

A classically-trained chef, Georgia Pellegrini has quickly become known as a contemporary Martha Stewart, working to help women tap into their modern day pioneer spirit by teaching them how to grow a small-space garden, assemble the makings of a self-sufficient pantry, learn to navigate a compass for their next camping trip, or even forage for plants that provide energy. Georgia is the author of multiple books, her latest: Modern Pioneering: More than 150 Recipes, Projects, and Skills for a Self-Sufficient Life [Clarkson Potter, released spring 2014] has met to rave reviews. Georgia grew up on the same land that her great grandfather owned and worked: a farm called Tulipwood in New York’s Hudson Valley. She had a passion from an early age for good, simple food, catching her own trout for breakfast in the creek on her family’s land. Pellegrini went on to work at La Chassagnette, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the south of France, spending her days driving heavy farm equipment and harvesting ingredients for dinner. When Georgia isn’t delving into local food ways at home, here in Austin, she’s roaming the world hunting and gathering, tasting good food, and meeting the great people who make it.

“Our guest chef series is an adventure in food and an experience within an experience,” comments executive chef Sonya Coté. “We are happy to share our daily passions with friends and like-minded peers and welcome Georgia Pellegrini to join our family for what is certain to be a very special weekend at Eden East.”

Eden East (photo: V. Meewes)

   The menu for the weekend of May 1-2, created by Pellegrini in collaboration with Coté,is as follows (menu subject to change due to availability):

– Marfa Cucumber Soup | cilantro flowers, Springdale honey, micro chive, wood sorrel

– Spring Salad | farro, beet chips, pickled chard stems, Brussels sprouts leaves, lemon vinaigrette

– Soft Deep Fried Egg | herb pistou, fava, purple top turnips, toasted almond

– Olive Oil Black Drum | fennel & lemon risotto, smoked tomato jam, candied kumquat, coffee bean

– Brown Butter Financier | roasted strawberry, citrus basil ice cream, ginger

Reservations can be made by calling 512.428.6500 or online, at EdenEastAustin.com.

Follow Eden East on social media:

Facebook: /EdenEastAustin
 twitter: @EdenEastAustin
Instagram: @EdenEastAustin

For additional information about Eden East and Springdale Farm, simply contact Carl Schultz @ Nom Nom PR.

For more on chef Georgia Pellegrini, visit GeorgiaPellegrini.com.

About Eden East:

Located at 755 Springdale Road in the heart of east Austin, Eden East is farm to table without ever leaving the farm. At Eden East, guests dine al fresco in the shadow of a 1920s farmhouse surrounded by an exquisitely decorated pecan orchard and under the shade of a ‘living chandelier’ housed in the branches of a majestic 40 foot tall Elm tree fruited with light bulbs, flowing strings of crystal and huge handcrafted wind chimes. Eden East‘s menu and milieu has been called “passionate” by Serious Eats, “romantic” by Zagat and hailed as “consciously crafted cuisine” by Forbes Travel Guide. The restaurant was named one of the “Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in America” by OpenTable and was the lone Austin dining destination — and one of only four Texas restaurants — to appear on the hallowed hot list. The signature restaurant of award-winning chef Sonya Coté, Eden East provides the most shining example to date of the wonderful grower / chef partnership.

 “Quintessentially farm-to-table, Eden East is both beautiful and charming. Tucked away on Springdale Farm, dine al fresco at community tables among towering pecan trees under suspended crystals and twinkling lights. Yes, please.” – AUSTIN CHRONICLE

   “Coté is excited to bring diners to the source of their food in hopes of showing the work that goes into growing each tomato and harvesting every eggplant…artfully plated dishes…the freshest seasonal bounty.” – FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE

   “There’s farm to table… and then there’s Eden East. In the dreamy twilight haze, food tastes more alive, conversation is more real and somehow more intimate, the sounds of the farm seduce, and it all just kind of goes to your head — this is dinner in paradise.”  – CAMILLE STYLES  

   “Eden East defies description. It’s like a high-end picnic—and there’s truly nothing like it in Austin right now.” – TRIBEZA