Last Saturday, Chef Larry Delgado took the night off from his McAllen restaurant house.wine to work on a farm.
He was the guest chef for Buckeye Farms’ popular event “Dinner on the Farm.”
The special event has been selling out fairly quickly each month owners Ralph O’Quinn and Sulema Ortega offer it.
Though the dinner highlights the quality grass-fed beef and lamb from the farm, and locally grown greens and vegetables, it has also become a way for Buckeye Farms to give back.
Since the first dinner, Buckeye Farms has donated a portion of the proceeds to the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.
“It’s all about sharing and giving back everywhere around us,” Ortega said.
Christina Calvillo had heard of the dinners before, but November’s event was the 28-year-old’s first. Eating locally has recently become more important to Calvillo since she learned more about it, she said.
“I find it very rewarding,” the McAllen resident said.
She was also very happy to hear about the donation to the Food Bank, since it’s a cause she believes in and volunteers for.
The five (almost six) course meal started with a salad of bitter mixed greens, sweet poached pears and eggplant, savory, creamy blue cheese crumbles and a balanced balsamic vinaigrette.
Chef Delgado followed it with a squash soup, which was warm, velvety and comforting. 
For some, the highlight of the evening came when the servers placed two plump Gulf shrimp perched on tiny pieces of toast and swimming in Chef Delgado’s famous garlic lime sauce.
The main course combined a beef and asparagus roulade and a thick rib-eye steak. The steak sat atop a serving of chipotle mashed potatoes and grilled squash and eggplant were served on the side.
Oohs and aahs could be heard around the three tables as dessert was served. A trifle made with pound cake, Chantilly cream, blueberry compote and candied lemon wedges was devoured by the diners. 
Buckeye Farms will be taking a holiday break from the dinners, but the event will return Saturday, Jan. 21, with a new chef and a new menu.
To find out how to secure your seat at the dinner table, sign up for Buckeye Farms’ newsletter.
