Mi Local Foodbeet: August’s Kitchen Vegan Dinners

It was easy for me to assume that August Treu from August's Kitchen had been a chef his whole career, but as I got to know him I learned that he went to chef school, graduating in 2008, after a series of successful, unrelated careers.

I’m glad he did, because I have enjoyed watching his business grow. We met at the Fulton Street Farmers Market when he started selling there in 2011. He sells breakfast foods, fine pastries, and baked goods, such as quick breads, cookies, and pies. He also makes cheese and cans jellies from Michigan fruits. He purchases fruits, vegetables, and milk at the market. When the market building opened, he moved inside.

Along with classes, August hosts Chef’s Table events at his space on Diamond Avenue in Grand Rapids. The menus vary – and food from his farmers market friends and Ingraberg Farms in Rockford are incorporated.

The menu themes vary; I recently went to his first Vegan Chef’s Table Dinner. It was a seven-course meal at a fair price of $45.00. And, there’s no charge for the fun! The dinner was promoted by Vegan Grand Rapids, so Kolene and Jon were there too. Kudos to them for filling the event with hungry plant-based eaters.

The Menu:

Tom Yum Tofu Soup

Broiled Vegetable Terrine

Crispy Vegetable Pakoras w/ Tamarind Ginger Dipping Sauce

Grapefruit & Fresh Greens w/ Sweet Fennel Lime Vinaigrette

Sourdough Bread w/ Herbed Tofu Spread

Eggplant Gratin w/ Mushrooms & Artichokes

Orange-Scented CranApple Cobbler

I dined with my friends Medha from Medha Rode Art and Sue from Stir the Pot GR, and I met blogger Sarah from Happy to be Raw. A small venue filled with like-minded people brings out the best in all of us and is great fun.

The next Vegan Dinner is being planned for May 2014. Sign up for the email list for more information on all of the August's Kitchen events.

THANKS to Vegan Grand Rapids for the photos below.