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Exclusive Dining at Coachella: A Gourmet Escape From Festival Frenzy
Amidst the vibrant Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, an exclusive dining experience offered a unique contrast to the typical festival fare. As pop sensation Charli XCX captivated audiences and Senator Bernie Sanders addressed enthusiastic concertgoers, approximately 300 individuals indulged in frog legs and beef tongue within the intimate VIP Rose Garden on Saturday evening. This sold-out dinner, hosted by Outstanding in the Field, a renowned mobile culinary experience famed for its elegant meals in unconventional settings, has become a sought-after option at Coachella, reflecting the festival’s increasingly diverse and sophisticated food offerings over the past decade. Celebrating its 10th year at the festival, Outstanding in the Field anticipates serving around 1,800 diners throughout Coachella’s two weekends, highlighting the growing appetite for gourmet food at music festivals.
The VIP Dining Experience: Beyond the Music
A Culinary Lineup to Rival the Musical Acts
“While many festival-goers eagerly await the performance schedule, my anticipation is always focused on unveiling the culinary lineup,” remarked Diane Leeds, a frequent attendee and finance industry retiree embracing a nomadic lifestyle. This sentiment encapsulates the allure of Outstanding in the Field, drawing attendees as much for its gastronomic offerings as for the headlining musical performances.
An Oasis in the Desert Heat
Within the arid desert festival grounds, where temperatures routinely soar past 100 degrees and attendees often spend hours navigating crowded pathways and queues, the Outstanding in the Field dinner provides a welcome respite. It’s a rare opportunity to savor chilled beverages, relax in comfortable seating, and engage in amiable conversation with fellow diners, a departure from the usual bustling festival environment.
A Pricey Ticket to Culinary Indulgence and VIP Perks
Four-Course Feasts and Festival Access
The family-style, four-course dinners unfold from 6:00 p.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m., each curated by a different chef nightly. Priced at $350 per seat, the dinner represents a significant additional cost to the already substantial festival passes, which begin at around $600 for general admission and $1,200 for VIP access. However, a dinner reservation also grants general admission ticketholders VIP area access for the day. This coveted access includes air-conditioned restrooms and exclusive food vendors, such as the popular Los Angeles-based hand roll chain, KazuNori.
Solo Diners and Shared Tables
“Traveling solo, I saw this as an ideal chance to connect with others, savor the experience, and enjoy exquisite cuisine,” explained Sarah McLamb, 40, who journeyed from Seattle, where she is employed by the real estate website Zillow. The communal seating arrangement fosters interaction, turning strangers into dining companions.
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Setting the Scene for a Memorable Meal
Each place setting featured uniquely mismatched, ornate plates, complementing the vibrant roses blooming within the lush garden setting. Attendees commenced the evening with gin and grapefruit cocktails, settling in for an exceptional dining experience as the desert sun began to set.
Chef Diego Argoti’s Unconventional Culinary Vision
A Pop-Up Prodigy in the Desert
Saturday’s dinner was orchestrated by Diego Argoti, a Los Angeles-based chef celebrated for his Estrano pasta pop-ups and Poltergeist, a former restaurant within an Echo Park arcade. His team comprised an eclectic mix of renowned local chefs, including Carlos Jaquez of Birria Pa La Cruda and Danny Rodriguez, head chef at Echo Park’s Butchr Bar, alongside friends and family, creating a collaborative and familial atmosphere.
Family and Festival Roots
“My mom is cooking with us,” Mr. Argoti shared, adorned with braids and shimmering glitter. He fondly recalled attending Coachella with his mother at age 14, sneaking into a Rage Against the Machine performance, highlighting the personal connection to the festival grounds.
A Menu of Bold Flavors and Culinary Surprises
Known for his unconventional yet flavorful creations, Mr. Argoti’s menu featured an endive and frog leg salad, duck confit with hibiscus toum, grilled beef tongue with strawberry puttanesca, and a pandan-flavored mochi cake. Each course was thoughtfully paired with wine or a nonalcoholic alternative, enhancing the dining experience.
“A Vanity Culinary Escape Room”
“I’ve almost designed a unique culinary venture,” Mr. Argoti elaborated. “Guests invest in this experience, and in return, we present them with dishes like frog legs and gizzards – items that represent, to me, a luxurious experience.” This element of surprise and culinary adventure is central to the Outstanding in the Field dining concept.
Unveiling the Unexpected
As the menu remains undisclosed until the dinner itself, Mr. Argoti’s selections understandably surprised some diners. A small number of guests departed after the initial course. However, even those hesitant about the more adventurous options acknowledged the quality of the cuisine. One departing guest conceded the salad was “quite delightful,” although she was hesitant to sample the frog legs.
Communal Dining and Farm-to-Table Freshness
Embracing the Unpredictable and Communal Atmosphere
Despite the menu’s adventurous nature, numerous attendees expressed their delight in the unpredictable yet communal ambiance of the dinner. Set within a meticulously maintained garden adjacent to the Mojave tent, the event emphasizes fresh, local ingredients. Regional providers contribute vegetables, meats, and wine pairings each evening, fostering a farm-to-table ethos.
Meeting the Farmers
During Saturday’s dinner, David Retsky, a farmer from Thermal, California, who cultivated many of the salad ingredients, engaged with diners, describing the greens and blossoms on their plates, connecting guests directly to the source of their meal.
A “Foodie in Heaven”
“For those with a discerning palate, the food might be challenging,” noted Lelna Gwet, 27. “But if you’re open to culinary exploration, this is a culinary paradise. There’s an array of flavors at play, and the farmers interacting with diners is remarkable.” This direct connection to food producers elevates the dining experience beyond mere consumption.
Building Connections Over a Shared Meal
Ms. Gwet, an electrical engineer from Washington, D.C., attended with her sister, Mata, and a friend. By evening’s end, the trio was conversing animatedly with nearby diners, even sharing roll-on body glitter, demonstrating the dinner’s social lubrication.
Outstanding in the Field: Fostering Community
“This is what truly makes Outstanding in the Field outstanding,” Ms. Gwet affirmed, as they enjoyed the last of their wine, underscoring the event’s success in creating connections amongst strangers.
Evolving Festival Food: From Basic Bites to Gourmet Gatherings
More Than Just Burritos and Burgers
Jim Denevan, the artist and founder of Outstanding in the Field, explained that while he believes the dinner acts as a “catalyst for social interaction,” its invitation to Coachella in 2014 stemmed from a more pragmatic need: the festival required expanded food choices. Nic Adler, Goldenvoice’s vice president of festivals, often credited with elevating the festival’s culinary offerings, corroborated this.
A Culinary Transformation
“Previously, music festivals offered restricted choices: burrito, hot dog, burger, taco,” Mr. Adler stated. “Fast food was the extent of it, lacking brands, restaurants, and even unbranded signage.” Outstanding in the Field marked a turning point, signaling a shift towards higher-quality, diverse food options at Coachella.
Coachella’s Gourmet Food Renaissance
A Diverse Culinary Landscape
Presently, Coachella boasts over 75 food vendors, encompassing everything from a $350 Nobu omakase experience to a range of $20 burgers, sandwiches, and loaded fries. This culinary diversity is a testament to the festival’s evolution.
Elevated Chefs and Local Farms
“To have renowned chefs showcasing their culinary artistry, utilizing fresh, local ingredients with the farmers present at the table, naturally costs more than a slice of pizza,” Mr. Denevan, 63, acknowledged. “However, it simply represents another choice among a spectrum of options.” This expanded culinary landscape allows festival-goers to tailor their experience to diverse tastes and budgets.
Lingering Conversations and Lasting Impressions
Although some diners departed early to catch performances by artists like Charli XCX and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, approximately half of the long table remained after dessert, engaging in conversation with their tablemates, highlighting the dinner’s lasting social impact.
Beyond the Music: Building Connections at Coachella
A Break From the Crowds, A Space for Connection
“Amidst the vast crowds here, meaningful conversation is rare, limited to apologies for accidental brushes,” observed Jonathan Wadell, attending with his wife, Sarah-Sue Wadell. “So, it’s pleasant to engage in genuine conversation here.” The dinner offers a valuable respite from the festival’s intensity, fostering connections beyond fleeting interactions.
Anniversary Respite and Festival Rejuvenation
Mr. Wadell, 46, and Ms. Wadell, 45, traveled from Santa Barbara to celebrate their 21st anniversary. They described the sit-down meal as a delightful respite from the desert heat.
“Ready to Party” Re-Energized
“It’s always fun to be out there, but this is a truly wonderful break,” Ms. Wadell added. “Now we’re ready to enjoy the festival.”
Balancing Gourmet Meals and Musical Acts
“By that, she means attend a performance, and then depart early for bed,” Mr. Wadell clarified, highlighting the dinner’s role in pacing their festival experience. For some, it’s about enjoying the moment and recharging for more festival activities.
Annual Coachella Dinners: A Social Tradition
Anna Wood, 52, attended the dinners on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights with her partner, Glen Mason. The couple, Coachella veterans from York, England, have made the dinners a regular part of their Coachella experience for the past three years.
Connecting Across Continents
“We connected with a couple from Palm Springs during our first visit,” Mr. Mason, 63, recounted. “We’ve remained connected and meet up with them each year at Coachella,” illustrating how the dinners foster enduring friendships.
Embracing the Moment Over Festival FOMO
As experienced attendees, they have learned to manage the inevitable feeling of missing out at the festival. “It’s always a matter of balance,” Mr. Mason commented. “Sometimes we forgo seeing a desired act, but there’s often greater value in enjoying a gourmet meal with exquisite wine.”
The Allure of Exquisite Frog Legs
“Charli XCX is someone we actually would have liked to have seen tonight,” he admitted, “but we’ve enjoyed those exquisite frog legs.” This humorous yet telling statement encapsulates the unique appeal of Outstanding in the Field: offering an unforgettable culinary experience that sometimes even trumps the main musical attractions at Coachella.