Meet the Maker: Dinner with Rancho Meladuco Date Farm

“In the desert, the sight of a date palm is almost always an indicator that an oasis is at hand. Fresh water and ripe dates have always been welcome sights for travelers. Although an oasis isn’t generally the end of the trip, it provides a short but refreshing respite from the stress of the travel. In this challenging year that is 2020, a box of these amazing handpicked dates might provide that same sort of relief. Clearly, we’re not done with the challenges at hand. But a few of these dates from Rancho Meladuco could help you get through..”  – Ari Weinzweig in his Top 5 enews

Rancho Meladuco Date Farm is located in the Coachella Valley, not far from Palm Springs. It began with 4 trees that were planted on the ranch decades ago. Joan Smith was inspired by the wows, oohs and aahs from friends and family as she shared these dates, so she decided to expand and begin farming dates. The ranch uses traditional farming and harvesting methods and each box is packed by hand.

Join us for this Meet the Maker event where we will have dinner together and learn more about Rancho Meladuco dates.  We’ll be joined by founder and farmer Joan Smith, who will tell us all the details about how these exceptionally flavorful dates are grown and processed.  Our Deli Chef Bill Wallo will make a 4-course meal to help highlight the incredibly versatile flavors of the Medjool dates grown in the Coachella Valley. Find out why Ari calls these incredibly delicious.

3 WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

OPTION 1: ZOOM ONLY

$15

• Zoom meeting link
• An evening of learning and great conversation with Rancho Meladuco Date Farm founder and farmer Joan Smith and Deli Managing Partner Grace Singleton
• Recipes of the 4-course dinner so you can make the dishes at home
• A 20% off coupon to use at our online at zcob.me/deligrocery after the tasting
• The ability to tune in from anywhere!  You do not need to be in Ann Arbor to listen in to the conversation!

OPTION 2: HAVE DINNER WITH US

$40 – pickup or local delivery only

• Zoom meeting link
• An evening of learning and great conversation with Rancho Meladuco Date Farm founder and farmer Joan Smith and Deli Managing Partner Grace Singleton
• A heat at home DINNER (additional meals are available for $25/person).  The menu:
  • Bacon Wrapped Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates
  • Caramelized Date and Onion Dip
  • Carrot Date Slaw with Hot Madras Curry Dressing
  • Michi-fornia Chicken Salad
  • Rancho Meladuco Medjool Dates with a Honeyed Pistachio Filling
  • Plain dates to sample on their own
• Recipes of the 4-course dinner so you can make the dishes again at home
• A 20% off coupon to use at our online at zcob.me/deligrocery after the tasting
• Pickup at the Deli (FREE) or local delivery ($8)

OPTION 3: SNACK ON A BOX OF DATES

$40 – pickup, local delivery or shipping

• Zoom meeting link
• An evening of learning and great conversation with Rancho Meladuco Date Farm founder and farmer Joan Smith and Deli Managing Partner Grace Singleton
• A full box of dates to enjoy during the tasting (additional boxes of dates are available for $20/each)
• Recipes of the 4-course dinner so you can make the dishes at home
• A 20% off coupon to use at our online at zcob.me/deligrocery after the tasting
• Pickup at the Deli (FREE), local delivery ($8), shipping (SOLD OUT)

LOGISTICS:

• The Zoom link will be mailed to you at least 2 days before the event
• Your tasting kits will be ready for pickup or delivery the day before the event.  If you chose shipping, you will receive your order ahead of the event.  You will be emailed with more specific information
• If you have any questions, please email [email protected]