Join us on Saturday, September 20th at 6:00pm for our September Kitchen Table Dinner featuring Chef Vince Pianalto, Dr. Sevin Gallo, and Spring Creek Food Hub.

Inspired by the Italian Food History and Culture course that Sevin and Vince teach together at Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, their Italian family traditions, and their travel adventures throughout Italy over the years, we're thrilled to present "Big Night:" An Italian food history and cultural experience at Apple Seeds! Step into a delicious journey through centuries of Italian culinary tradition. This immersive evening blends storytelling, history, and a lovingly prepared meal that honors Italy’s "slow food" values and community centered dining. And, yes - we're pulling inspiration from our favorite Italian movie "Big Night!"

Get ready for a family-style feast that captures the feeling of Italian trattorias as we gather around the table to celebrate the flavors of Italy. 

We’ll start with an antipasti of Roman-style grilled white pizzas alongside handcrafted charcuterie. The meal continues with a duo of primi pastas, Tuscan-style skewers and rustic roasted vegetables, passed around the table as they would be in a countryside osteria. To finish the night, we'll have a traditional Italian dessert featuring an Apple Seeds Summer harvest of fresh pears.

Every dish is meant to be shared, savored, and enjoyed together—an evening of food, culture, and community inspired by Italy’s most beloved traditions.

Featured Chefs - Brightwater Instructor Chef Vince Pianalto’s career began in the food scene at age 16 and has blossomed through decades of experience as an executive chef, restaurateur, and passionate educator. From his early days in family-owned Italian and French pastry shops to shaping culinary education programs at local high schools and community colleges, Vince’s dedication has helped mentor countless students into successful Chefs. His approach is rooted in real-world business and kitchen experience, nurturing potential with the belief that anything is possible.

Dr. Sevin Gallo brings a remarkable perspective as a world history professor at Northwest Arkansas Community College, where she teaches through the lens of food. Her classes meet at Brightwater, examining how food systems shape culture and history. With a Ph.D. in Modern Middle East and Latin American comparative history, Sevin also leads global study abroad programs, highlighting authentic culinary traditions alongside rich historical contexts. She merges her passion for food, travel, and education into every dish and story shared during this special dinner.

The Spring Creek Food Hub connects farmers and community, putting local food on local tables. By providing education, technical assistance, and supply chain access for local farmers, they move food to where people eat, shop, work, and play, ensuring healthy food access for all Northwest Arkansans. Their goals include supporting local farmers, creating easy access to local foods, and preserving agricultural land to ensure NWA has space to farm for generations to come. 

Come ready to savor an Italian-inspired farm-to-table meal that connects history, culture, and vibrant food — all while gathering around a shared table outdoors at the Apple Seeds Teaching Farm.

About the Kitchen Table Dinner Series -  Born out of a desire to build a community around great food, Apple Seeds' Kitchen Table Dinner series is designed to recreate the feeling of gathering around a dear friend's table. These dinners aim to bridge the gap often felt between the chef and diners in a typical dining environment, thereby creating a deeper connection to the food on the plate. Through intentional procurement of local, seasonal ingredients, the transparent preparation of the meal, and storytelling by the chef, each plate is transformed from food into an unforgettable dining experience.

Event Details:

Saturday, September 20th | 6:00 pm

Your chefs will create a fresh, three course meal with elements from the garden. 

*Dress for outdoor seating in the late Summer weather!

Enjoy the food, farm, and company.

The dinner takes place at the Apple Seeds' Teaching Farm in Fayetteville, AR.

Seating for this event will be located outdoors under the pavilion. These dinners are rain or shine.  All Kitchen Table Dinner series events are fundraisers with limited seating; we cannot offer refunds for tickets purchased. 

Your participation in Apple Seeds' events supports our mission to inspire healthy living through garden-based education for students around Northwest Arkansas and beyond!