Chef's Harvest Dinner

Part I: Garden Party

Begin the evening with a special wine reception with appetizers showcasing ingredients fresh from the garden.

Meet our new Executive Chef Josh to learn about the journey of the ingredients from our garden to your plate. 

Chuck Carlson will introduce the special wines being poured throughout the evening and give us insight to Carlson Wines in Santa Ynez. 

Part II: Out in the Fields

Experience the Central Coast’s peak harvest season with an exclusive garden tour! Our vines, trellises, and rows are full to the brim with produce. Our in-house farmer will share his secrets to maintaining a 2-acre garden and dozens of edible plant varieties.

Part III: Harvest's Bounty

Sit down to a truly memorable alfresco Secret Garden Dinner featuring Chef's 3-Course Fall Prix Fixe menu with wine pairing with Carlson Wines.

We’re decking out the Secret Garden and bringing in a few surprises just for this event! 

You won’t want to miss this wonderful event experiencing the beauty and bounty of Avila!

Introducing: Chef Josh Jones

Chef Joshua Jones started his culinary career flipping burgers at Hearst Castle when he was 16 years old. From there his passion grew for food and the fast paced kitchen life pushing him to pursue breakfast and lunch skills up the coast at the Ragged Point Resort. Having the desire to learn all aspects of the kitchen, Josh joined the team at the Cambria Pines Lodge to shape his banquet and dinner skills. For the last 5 years, he found himself leading culinary teams in the Paso Robles winery region. 

Chef Josh is a true local of SLO county. He is deeply connected with our coastal cuisine and makes it his mission to provide fresh dishes that highlight the Central Coast’s amazing fruits, vegetables, meat, and seafood.

If Chef Josh is not in the kitchen, you’ll find him on a golf course or on the nearest flat smooth surface roller skating with his wife and friends!

About Our Chef's Garden

Our Chef’s Secret Garden is a 2-acre farm nestled in the Avila Valley surrounded by the scenic hillside with beautiful views. This is a working farm that cultivates heirloom produce from beets to zucchinis and everything in between. Our Chef works directly with our Sycamore Farmer to make sure we have the best seasonal produce possible. We utilize sustainable practices to maintain our beautiful garden. Our Executive Chef and culinary team takes pride in using our homegrown vegetables to create culinary delights for our guests in our Gardens of Avila Restaurant and Secret Garden. 

We are proud to be a legitimate plant to plate restaurant! Many of the ingredients of your dishes travel just over our iconic green bridge to make it to your plate. 

We’re thrilled to invite you for this unique Chef’s Harvest Dinner to celebrate the joy of the bounties of fall season! We can’t wait to officially introduce you to our new Executive Chef during this exclusive alfresco experience.