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Elawa Farm to Celebrate Day of the Dead With Traditional Mexican Fare

  • Writer: Bob Benenson
    Bob Benenson
  • 11 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

Non-Profit's Nov. 1 Dinner in Suburban Lake Forest Features Chef Ernesto Rodriguez


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Elawa Farm is a foundation-run operation in the north Chicago suburb of Lake Forest. Since 2002, it has been at the core of a public-private partnership with the mission to steward a historic farm that enriches greater Lake County as a center for experiential learning to broaden access to education, nutritious food, and our local food system. 


WGN-TV's morning news show today (October 22) aired four Around Town segments about Elawa Farm. The first segment is posted below and features Elawa Farm's (awesome) Executive Director Laura Calvert discussing the growing spaces and the history of the location.



In recent years, Elawa Farm also has developed a robust events program that includes dining events, and they have a great one coming up on November 1: a dinner celebrating the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).


The event will feature Chef Ernesto Rodriguez, owner of Evanston-based El Molcajete Sauces, whose product line centers on a variety of traditional mole sauces from his native Oaxaca.


Elawa Farm describes the November 1 event this way:


Join us for a special evening in celebration of Día de los muertos at Elawa Farm. This intimate dinner will honor tradition and heritage with vibrant, seasonal flavors prepared by Chef Ernesto Rodríguez of El Molcajete Sauces.


Guests will be greeted with a mezcal margarita to kick off the evening. The celebration begins with a festive appetizer station, featuring ceviche shots, small bamboo boats with black bean purée, and house-made chips served with handmade salsas. Guests will then be seated for a four-course dinner, beginning with a warm squash soup made with butter and white onions, followed by a vibrant autumn salad featuring persimmons, spring mix, toasted pumpkin seeds, and a maple vinaigrette.


The main course will showcase tender lamb barbacoa, richly layered with Chef Ernesto’s signature mole sauce, seasonal wine and for dessert, a fresh seasonal creation to end the evening on a sweet note. Gather with us to celebrate life, memory, and culture in an unforgettable setting.


The dinner takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Elawa Farm is located at 1401 Middlefork Drive in Lake Forest.


Sold already? Click the link below to buy tickets.



It isn't often that I can provide a sneak preview of an upcoming event, but I joined my friend Ernesto at a dinner he prepared at the Liberty Prairie non-profit in Grayslake (also in Lake County) on September 16.


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

The evening began with Ernesto conducting an outdoor mole-making class.


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

Guests also enjoyed libations, including mezcal produced in Ernesto's hometown.


Dinner was held inside, and featured dishes included:


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

Leg of lamb barbacoa...


Photo by Bob Benenson
Photo by Bob Benenson

And roasted potatoes and zucchini.


Just a hint of what awaits at the Elawa Farm dinner.




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