August is Local Produce Month at SoDel Concepts restaurants

Using local products is always a priority for the chefs at SoDel Concepts’ 11 coastal Delaware restaurants, and the bounty of available fruits and vegetables in August makes it the perfect time to celebrate Local Produce Month.

“In coastal Sussex County, summer is a great time to be a chef,” said Doug Ruley, vice president of culinary operations. “Our mission is to present beautiful, simple food, so that the natural flavors shine. This month, we’re highlighting some of the best that our farmers have to offer.”

SoDel Concepts receives products from a variety of farms, including East View Farms and Bennett Orchards in Frankford; Fifer Orchards in Camden-Wyoming; Evans Farm in Bridgeville; Chesterfield Heirlooms in Pittsville, Md.; Baywater Farms in Salisbury, Md; Bearhole Farms and Magee Farms in Selbyville; and Totem Farms in Milton.

“Our guests can look forward to some fresh, tasty specials at each of the restaurants,” Ruley said. “Some of our chefs are making creative appetizers, while others are focusing on desserts.”

For instance, at Lupo Italian Kitchen in Rehoboth Beach, diners might find a summer salad with grilled Bennett Orchard peaches, blueberries, La Tur cheese and porcini vinaigrette. At Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar, also in Rehoboth, the menu has included peach-and-heirloom-tomato pico de gallo.

The Clubhouse at Baywood has featured blistered Evans Farm shishito peppers with corn salsa, cilantro crema and tortillas. At Catch 54, patrons might find Baywater Farms’ heirloom tomatoes with crab salad, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and cuca melons.

For details, go to www.sodelconcepts.com.