Outstanding in the Field was founded by Jim Denevan in 1999, with the idea to bring a restaurant to the source of it’s ingredients for one night only. The restaurant is built outdoors every morning and then disappears overnight. Guests share a meal over a long dinner table with an attendance of usually 120+ people.
I would highly recommend seeing where the next tour will be, and attending their unique dinner experiences. There is nothing quite like a dinner table of 100+ people, sharing conversation and connecting over local food.
I was fortunate enough to be asked to photograph several of their dinners in 2025. From the East Coast to the West, I did 8 dinners total. With Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West in Arizona ultimately being my favorite of the year. While photographing the dinners, sometimes I can bring a guest and have a seat at the table. Though as a photographer (especially at an event with documentary work like this) when you’re waiting for the perfect moment to capture, you have to be observant at all times. I prefer to not sit at the table, though it’s so hard because the food looks SO incredible I just want to taste it all. I have found my best work has come from the dinners I am able to be 100% present as a photographer. I look forward to attending as ~just~ a guest in the future and taking it all in as it’s meant to be experienced. Here I share some photos from the last 6 dinners on the fall leg of their tour.
Taliesin West 10/21 Scottsdale, Arizona
Read more about my experience photographing this dinner here !
Agritopia Farms 10/22 Gilbert, Arizona
Burnt Hill Farm, 9/14 Clarksburg, MD
Hollywood Farm, 9/13, Annapolis, MD
Vox Vineti 9/10 Andrews Bridge, PA
Great Meadow Farm 9/9, Lawrenceville, NJ
If you’re looking for a photographer for your restaurant, or next dinner event contact me ! Until next time, with the legendary team on Outstanding In The Field. Cheers!
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