FARMERS & CHEFS. At 5:00pm and 7:30pm on Oct. 21, The Good Wives will be host to a "Four-Course Chef's Tasting Menu," meal event — a collaboration between the Chippewa Valley Book Festival, the restaurant, and author Lori Fredrich. The event will feature seasonal dishes to complement the themes of Fredrich's recipe book, Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm-Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State.

As a food writer and storyteller, Lori Fredrich, the author of Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm-Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State, often finds herself witness to unseen moments within the culinary world – experiences even the most devoted restaurant-goers might miss.

Local diners will too have the chance to explore uncovered culinary curiosities during a “Four-Course Chef’s Tasting Menu” meal event on Oct. 21 — a collaboration between Fredrich, the Chippewa Valley Book Festival and The Good Wives Restaurant (2161 Eastridge Center, Eau Claire).

In her recipe book, Wisconsin Field to Fork, Fredrich welcomes readers to the simple yet impactful exchanges between regional growers and the journey of their products from farm to table.

“The relationship between farmer and chef is truly special,” Fredrich said. “These relationships beautifully illustrate the remarkable synergy between farm and restaurant; In almost every case, it’s far more than a transaction.”

Fredrich was introduced to Ella Wesenberg, The Good Wives’ executive chef and co-owner, through Wesenberg's previous role at The Informalist restaurant in downtown Eau Claire, years prior to the book’s 2023 publication date.

"If we have done it right,
the dinner will showcase exactly why supporting farmers and the local economy is well worth
the effort."

lori fredrich

author, Wisconsin Field to fork

As Fredrich gathered regional stories and recipes for her book, Wesenberg's “Ham and Peas” entrée — highlighting Deutsch Family Farm as a local producer — soon became a featured dish in Wisconsin Field to Fork.

“I’m honored to have Ella’s work — which fully supports the ‘field to fork’ philosophy — connected to the book,” Fredrich said. “The goal is really to showcase the creativity of a chef who makes the most of local seasonal ingredients, and that’s precisely what she does at The Good Wives.”

Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm-Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State, book cover.

After getting her hands on a copy of Wisconsin Field to Fork, Wesenberg felt it was clear that she and Fredrich had a shared mission to advocate for the success of regional food systems. With this in mind — and a positive relationship with the Chippewa Valley Book Festival — a shared trust has been there all along to “create a menu for this event that I think works well with the season and fits Lori's theme,” Wesenberg said.

At the tasting event — which offers both a 5:00pm and 7:30pm seating — guests will enjoy a four-course meal debuting seasonal, localized, and reputable dishes by Wesenberg, a presentation by Lori Fredrich on Wisconsin Field to Fork and the chance to mingle with fellow attendees.

“Folks can expect to leave full and — hopefully — can't get certain dishes out of their head,” Wesenberg said. “I hope the impact of this event will help people expand their palates and their ideas of what they can do with local food.”

Fredrich said the opportunity to gather with strangers, friends, and family — to gain insight into a chef's mindfulness, creativity, and resourcefulness — will be an unparalleled experience that cannot be truly replicated.

“If we have done it right, the dinner will showcase exactly why supporting farmers and the local economy is well worth the effort,” Fredrich added.

Fredrich will also host a free-to-attend speaker session at 10am in the Riverview Room of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire) the following day, Oct. 22, titled “Wisconsin Chefs, Farmers, and the Magic of Locally Produced Food.”

There, the conversations on local food systems will continue, as Fredrich shares the inspiration behind Wisconsin Field to Fork and reads a brief excerpt from her recipe book.

The 5:00pm seating of “The Good Wives 4-Course Chef's Tasting Menu” meal event has already sold out, with limited tickets remaining for the 7:30pm seating. Secure your spot for this Chippewa Valley Book Festival event by visiting the festival webpage online, or volumeonetickets.org. Purchase Wisconsin Field to Fork: Farm-Fresh Recipes from the Dairy State locally at Dotters Books (307 S Barstow St, Eau Claire).