An Introduction to Eat Local Month in Durango
Another famous event is about to take place in Durango: “Eat Local Month!” Hosted by Local First, Eat Local Month features a month of gourmet meals provided by Durango’s local restaurants, chefs, vendors, and farms.
Although this year’s Eat Local Month is a little different, the month will be full of great meals, cocktails, and enthusiasm you’d come to expect.
If you’re looking to participate in Eat Local Month, here’s everything you need to know about one of the tastiest months in Durango:
What Is Eat Local Month?
For the 5th year, Durango will celebrate its local food, chefs, and farmers with a full month of gourmet food and drinks. Hosted by Local First, Eat Local Month is a beloved tradition of Durango’s local food scene that showcases local culinary talent through weekly dinners that include incredible cocktails and desserts from participating restaurants around Durango.
Eat Local Month Has Adapted This Year
With the unforeseen challenges of COVID, Eat Local Month has adapted to showcase Durango’s talent in a unique way. This year, rather than gathering the whole community for a single dinner, Local First and its partners have worked to create a safe, healthy experience.
To celebrate the local food and talent of Durango, this year’s Eat Local Month will include weekly gourmet take-home meals and an interactive behind-the-scenes look at the local growers, preparers, and advocates that put together those meals.
A Weekly Celebration Of Durango’s Food Scene
Every Friday from September 25–October 16, ticket holders will pick up and enjoy a gourmet “take-home” dinner from Durango’s best food and beverage talent.
With over two dozen restaurants, farms, and vendors participating, each week of Eat Local Month will have a completely unique and one-of-a-kind menu to enjoy.
Each $75 ticket includes three courses, an alcoholic beverage, a value-added product, as well as a donation to support Durango’s local chefs, farms, and vendors.
In addition, attendees can engage with Durango’s local foodies, through a series of virtual webinars and conversations on topics ranging from food-waste to creative cooking.
Week One ticket sales end Sunday, September 20th at 5pm so don’t miss your chance to experience the kick-off to this one of a kind event!
Where, When, And Who Is Participating In Eat Local Month?
Photo provided by Scott DW Smith
Each week features a menu crafted by chefs from top restaurants around Durango. Here is a quick snapshot of what each week entails:
Week 1: Wasted Opportunities
Ticket sales end Sunday, September 20th!
Eat Local Month kicks off with a week dedicated to reducing food waste and showcasing ways your food waste can be recovered, rather than thrown away.
Enjoy delicious and inventive new dishes as you learn about how to use otherwise wasted food.
Pick Up Location:
What Durango Restaurants Are Featured:
- Appetizer crafted by Dandelion Cafe
- Entrée crafted by Primi Pasta and Wine Bar
- Dessert crafted by Cream Bean Berry Artisan Ice Cream
- Cocktail crafted by Sutcliffe Vineyards
Week 2: Local Agriculture
Explore and taste the full cycle of food from farm-to-table and table-to-farm while learning the importance of local food to Durango’s health and the health of the economy.
Pick Up Location:
What Durango Restaurants Are Featured:
- Appetizer crafted by Backcountry Gourmet
- Entrée crafted by Zia Taqueria
- Dessert crafted by Serious Delights Bakery
- Cocktail crafted by The Union Social House
Week 3: In the Weeds
Enjoy a meal cultivated with care by Durango’s local farmers and food workers while learning about supporting mental health for the food community and its workers.
Pick Up Location:
What Durango Restaurants Are Featured:
- Appetizer crafted by Manna Soup Kitchen
- Entrée crafted by In the Weeds
- Dessert crafted by Ore House
- Cocktail crafted by The Bookcase and Barber
Week 4: Creative Cooking
See it all come together for the final week of Eat Local month as you eat a meal brought to you by the most creative culinary minds of Durango.
Pick Up Location:
What Durango Restaurants Are Featured:
- Appetizer crafted by El Moro Spirits & Tavern
- Entrée crafted by Eat Zawadi
- Dessert crafted by Smiley Cafe
- Cocktail crafted by Fenceline Cider
Enjoy All Four Weeks
Can’t pick just one or two dinners? You can purchase all four weeks through Local First and save with a special discount.
That deal is only available through Sunday, September 20th.
The Benefits of Eat Local Month
Photo provided by Scott DW Smith
Eat Local Month does more than just providing you a meal from Durango’s finest food and talent!
Eat Local Month was initially launched to encourage Durango's local food movement- a mission that has continued over the last five years.
As Dandelion Cafe's owner Alison Dance put it:
“It's not just about supporting local farms. It's about a whole harvest vision that this community [Durango] continues to grow and bask in. It's a celebration of the foodshed that feeds us all."
To continue to celebrate this mission, all proceeds from the events benefit local farmers, restaurants, and nonprofits.
In addition, the proceeds will help Local First's ongoing efforts to promote and grow Durango’s local, independent business community.
By participating in Eat Local Month, you’re helping Durango’s local community, restaurants, and workers!
Quick Summary Of Eat Local Month
Photo provided by Scott DW Smith
To help you navigate the event, here is a quick snapshot of the everything you need to know about Eat Local Month:
What:
Eat Local Month presented by Local First and participating restaurants, chefs, and vendors in Durango.
When:
Every Friday, September 25 - October 16. Gourmet dinner pick-ups are from 5-6pm.
Where:
Pick-ups are at various restaurants in Durango.
How Much:
$75 per ticket per person. Ticket includes a three-course meal, an alcoholic beverage, value added-product, nonprofit donation, and all taxes and gratuities.
Why:
2020 has been a challenge for all of us, but especially for our local restaurants and vendors who are such a large part of what makes Durango special!
Come celebrate local food businesses that make Durango such a delicious place to stay and live.
