Field Day at Taste. by Uncs Cheesecakes

Field Day at Taste. by Uncs Cheesecakes

Three food establishments that are all connected, a journey that began in 2008, a management philosophy, and a passion for good, locally sourced food belies one woman’s drive for a business that has deep community connections. Jessica Baldus, owner/chef/restaurateur of Taste, Piggyback, and Unc’s Cheesecakes, will have an opportunity to unpack all of this and more at the upcoming Field Day.

Unc’s Cheesecakes started in Des Moines, being housed in other operating business’ kitchens, opened brick and mortar at 11080 Hickman Rd in Clive., relocated to Osage (518 Main Street) in 2012 and in 2016, the restaurant moved east to its current address (715 Main Street). This move more than quadrupled the capacity/seating and created a partnering business, Piggyback Smoke Shack.

Throughout Baldus’ restaurant development, she’s reached out to feature locally sourced products. To date, her menus regularly feature meats, greens and other vegetables fruits and herbs From over 20 local producers from typically a 45 mile radius.

The field day runs from 2:00-4:30 pm. at Taste Restaurant. Jess will provide an overview of her business, the crew members that work with her, and the farms she buys from.  After the overview, snacks will be served featuring seasonally available local food that spotlights the flavors Taste prides itself in presenting.

Come join us for our final Connections Field Day for 2018 at Taste Restaurant, located at 715 Main St.  Osage. The event is free and open to the public. There will be time for visiting and enjoying the food samplings provided by Taste.

 

The North Iowa Local Food Connection is a network of local farm and food businesses and friends building relationships, collaborating, learning together, creating connections that build business and productive communities.

Curious about North Iowa local food businesses? This series of events will provide an excellent opportunity for everyone from farmers to eaters. Get a behind the scenes peak at what makes these North Iowa entrepreneurs tick! Please join us!

 

MAY

Tuesday May 22nd,  6 – 9 pm
Jessi Myers General Manager, Ryan Wagner Chef
Fieldhouse Restaurant
14 N 3rd St Clear Lake, IA 50428
County: Cerro Gordo
Farmer? Eater? Join us for a dynamic exploration of a farm to fork based restaurant – three learning demonstrations planned.

 

JUNE

Sunday, June 24th 3 – 5pm
Aaron Thomas
The Thomas Farmstead
816 410th St. Kensett, IA 50448
County: Worth County
Got a farming dream? Whet your appetite with a tour and overview of the young Thomas Farmstead.

 

JULY

Sunday, July 22, 3-5pm
Jake Rajewsky and Molly Angstman
Fat Hill Brewery
17 N. Federal, Mason City, IA 50401
County: Cerro Gordo
Brewer Jake will teach about the ingredients that go into beer and how beer is made and how our used grain is utilized by a local farmer for his sheep.

 

AUGUST

Sunday, Aug 12, 2:00-4:30p.m.
Steve Strasheim
Twisted River Farm
195 S. Madison St., Mitchell, IA 50461
County: Mitchell

Bridge the urban/rural divide at this budding urban garden. Explore tools & techniques they use.

SEPTEMBER

Sunday, Sept. 23, 2:00-4:30pm
North Iowa Fresh & One Vision
1200 W. 9^th St., N., Clear Lake, IA 50428
County: Cerro Gordo
From the packing table to the corporate table, learn what’s new with North Iowa Fresh. One Vision aggregation center, and new Worksite wellness partnerships.

OCTOBER

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2:00-4:30pm
Taste. by Uncs Cheesecake
715 Main St, Osage, Iowa 50461
County: Mitchell

Come join us for our final Connections Field Day for 2018 at Taste. by Uncs Cheesecakes in Osage. We’ll explore how the local food focus fits with other tactics Jessica Baldus and her dynamic team have used to contribute to the ten year evolution of this business and what lies ahead in the coming years.

 

These events are part of the North Iowa Local Food Connections program, a partnership of Healthy Harvest of North Iowa and local food and farm businesses. Support provided by USDA Rural Development.