Loxley Farm fuels World Food Championship

By Allison Marlow
Posted 11/17/17

When chefs from around the world come to Baldwin County to compete in the World Food Championships, local farms are their first stop.

Last week Jesse Carbullido, owner of Herb & Pepper Farm in …

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Loxley Farm fuels World Food Championship

Posted

When chefs from around the world come to Baldwin County to compete in the World Food Championships, local farms are their first stop.

Last week Jesse Carbullido, owner of Herb & Pepper Farm in Loxley, hosted chefs in his home and worked with dozens of chefs to pull the freshest ingredients from his crops.

The farm does not charge any of the chefs for the produce they use at the competition.

“This is a message to the chefs to say we support you and we grow to see you at your finest moment,” Carbullido said. “We don’t want there to be a dollar figure in the way of them competing.”

At Herb & Pepper Farm, Carbullido grows 100 varieties of specialty crops including a full line of microgreens, blossoms, peppers and herbs. They deliver twice a week to more than 20 local restaurants.

Carbullido says providing the produce for the World Food Championships not only shows the farm’s support for the chefs but helps to highlight the local bounty.

“We have world class cuisine here and the best in the world in my opinion,” Carbullido said. “Our local chefs are unbelievable and part of that is the world class produce grown in Baldwin County.”

The farm catered chefs from other continents and from just around the corner. Chef Hiram Quintana of The Lions Den said he always tells other chefs who shop at stores to simply stop.

“I tell these guys, you’re only cheating yourself,” he said. “You can find everything you need, fresh, right here.

Carbullido said seeing the chefs relish his produce is the best part of the busy week of competition.

“It’s a huge commitment to grow food year-round and when your product is accepted by so many, it’s gratifying,” he said. “To be able to inspire their dishes, it’s nothing less than an honor.”

Jessica Vaughn contributed to this report