Author: Ted Wight

Overlook Farm Hosts Third Annual Luv Luv Farm Festival Clarksville destination’s signature event promises to impress with exclusive tastings and demos from top chefs, a BBQ competition, live music and local craftspeople Clarksville, Mo. – July 5, 2011 – Overlook Farm, a 325-acre working farm bordering the grand Mississippi River in Clarksville, Mo. and including a stellar farm-to-table restaurant and two historic inns, is preparing for its Third Annual Luv Luv Farm Festival, to be held the weekend of August 10-12. The 2012 festival promises to dazzle guests with culinary delights and demonstrations from this real working farm. During the full weekend of activities, chefs from around the region will participate in multi-course dinners, cooking demonstrations and a BBQ competition, preparing extravagant and inventive fare (including vegetarian/vegan options). Foodies and festivalgoers will have the opportunity to visit and dine with chefs while sipping fresh-from-the-garden cocktails, touring the beautiful farm grounds, enjoying live entertainment and perusing the works of local artists and craftspeople. "This is not your typical BBQ festival," says Overlook Farm proprietor, Nathalie Pettus. "We have grown the festival this year to include all aspects of the farm and offer something for everyone. This is a culinary experience like no other in the region." A charitable component has also been added to this year's event, with a silent auction and fundraiser being held to benefit Chefs4Students (www.Chefs4Students.org). Chefs4Students is a non-profit organization that raises scholarship funds for culinary students in need of financial support. "Chefs4Students is an organization near and dear to my heart," says Overlook Farm's new chef, Michael Polcyn. "There are a lot of amazing, budding chefs that could be superstars with the right education, and Chefs4Students helps them get there – it's a win-win for the entire culinary community." In addition to Polcyn, this year’s lineup of talented chefs also includes: • Chris Desens, Hickey college of Culinary Arts, St. Louis • Wes Johnson, Independent Chef, St. Louis • John Stuhlman, Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis • Julie Ridlon, Julie's Catering, St. Louis • Scott Smith, Overlook Farm, Clarksville, Mo. • Dave Nelson Chefs4Students, Steamboat Springs, Co. • Ben Welch, Culinary Services, St. Louis The festival kicks off on Friday evening, August 10 and runs through Sunday, August 12 with a full schedule of events, outlined below:

Friday, August 10 • Multi-course dinner prepared by guest chefs: o $65 per person, excluding alcohol, tax, and gratuity o Reservations recommended • Live music featuring Reno Spring Ramblers and more from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturday, August 11 • BBQ Festival and Cook-off beginning at 11 a.m. on the event lawn o Festival sampling and cocktails available o BBQ competition judging at 4 p.m. and winner announcement at 5 p.m. • Silent auction benefiting Chefs4Students from 4 to 6 p.m. • Farm demo tent from noon to 3 p.m. including chef cooking demonstrations, farm animals and local artisans • Live music by Adam Johnson and the Black Tie Affair in the courtyard from 6-11 p.m. • Multi-course dinner prepared by guest chefs: o $65 per person, excluding alcohol, tax, and gratuity

Sunday, August 12 • Bluegrass festival featuring area musicians from noon to 4 p.m. • Chef’s band featuring Chef Mike Polcyn and Friends