Faubourg Farm to Table
New Orleans has some of the most fantastic food experiences in the world. Plenty of them are amongst the traditional “food coma” inducing French Quarter locales, but there are other places off the beaten path worth a look. Faubourg Farms, typically a larger catering business has pivoted (since Covid) into offering smaller events/dinners to create a more intimate experience beyond the downtown hustle bustle. Using almost entirely local ingredients, Faubourg aims to create a sustainable and unique dining experience. We got a minute to catch up with the founder, Monte and ask him a few questions about the business!
Epiphany: How did you become interested in sustainable farming/dining?
I traveled to Fiji while working with the Peace Corps and became inspired by the way of life. Families worked and lived together in small spaces and did so much with so little. When I returned, I started growing my own produce and selling it at local farmers markets.
Epiphany: Is it true you work with your mom?
Yes. Part of being in Fiji made me want to connect more with my family. I loved the idea that my mom’s recipes could be part of my everyday life and business venture! Early on, she started using the produce I was growing to create dishes to serve at pop up markets. The dishes became popular - especially anything with her Meyer Lemon Dressing . We even started bottling it and now it’s available online or at Refresh Farmer’s Market or Crescent City Farmer’s Market!
Epiphany: How did the food pop ups turn into catering/food service?
My mom had 20+ years experience as an event planner and the food pop ups were going really well. So, we just started to connect the dots. But, we knew if we were going to build a real business we’d need some larger scale events. Through word of mouth we began to fill the calendar.
Epiphany: Now you host private dinners?
Yes. With Covid, our event business dried up a bit so we came up with hosting private dinners at our home. Right now, people seem to feel more comfortable dining outside or in small groups. We set up seating areas both inside our home and outside in the garden. We want the experience to feel like dining in a friend or family member’s house, just elevated. Comfortable but special. If you’re sitting outside you can look through our garden and see the herbs and plants that will most likely be in your meal that evening. The cozy private dining space was designed by Martha Pearson Designs and is a lot of fun too.
Epiphany: Who are some of your favorite local food purveyors?
There are so many! For anything we don’t grow ourselves, we visit ReFresh Farmer’s Market or Crescent City Farmers Market. Louisiana producers like Faust Farms, River Queen Greens, Veggi, Major Acre and Johnsdale Farms are favorites.
Here’s how we’d play it Carnival style: Book a dinner for you and your float members!
**To host an event, check out facebook or the Faubourg website for details**
Photos by Sara Essex Bradley