‘Haven Dinner Series’ Culinary Journey through a Whole Hog

Haven Craft Kitchen+Bar continues its Haven Dinner Series on Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. with a Whole Hog Dinner. Executive Chef Craig Brady will treat guests to 5 courses expertly prepared from a 100-pound hog, humanely and naturally raised by Cook Pigs in San Diego. Guests can expect a few surprises along the way, including tableside preparations and courses created a la minute. To complete the dining experience, each of the courses will be thoughtfully paired with a cocktail, beer or wine.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year for ingredients – pork with chestnuts, or pork presented with the most flavorful seasonal produce just screams fall,” commented Chef Brady, who will be butchering the entire pig himself in the Haven kitchen. “I’ve secured a pig that is of the highest quality and the most ‘ethical’ meat that can be found locally. I have some exciting ideas for this dinner, so guests should be ready for a real adventure.”

Chef Brady’s Whole Hog Dinner will focus on five courses that will utilize as much of the animal as possible, beginning with the pig head as a terrine with seasonal ingredients. The dinner will continue with complex dishes that utilize the hog’s belly, hands, legs, and loin (chops).

“Guests will definitely see a pasta dish on the menu since this time of year begs for it,” explains Chef Brady, who has a deep passion for Italian cuisine and making his own pasta in house, from scratch. “I intend to incorporate the hog into every course – even dessert! Utilizing pork fat in the place of oil or butter will give the final course a richness guaranteed to leave guests satisfied.”

Chef Brady introduced the Haven Dinner Series earlier this year as a way to express his personal style and creativity to present an innovative, chef-driven menu using the season’s most vibrant ingredients and produce. The goal is to create an unparalleled dining experience with dishes that allow guests to get to know Chef Brady beyond what they see on the menu.

Seating for this Haven Dinner Series event is extremely limited. The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $95 (plus tax & gratuity) and must be reserved in advance online at havendinnerserieswholehog.eventbrite.com.

Haven Craft Kitchen+Bar is located at 190 S. Glassell Street in Orange and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.