The Chiles Group has added to their growing list of partners by teaming up with two new companies!
Living up to its commitment to serve locally produced Florida heritage items using best-in-class sustainable products, the Chiles Restaurant Group is excited to announce partnerships with Dakin Dairy Farms in Myakka City, Florida and Lodge Cast Iron, a nationally recognized brand founded in South Pittsburg, Tennessee
Dakin Dairy Farms – a multigenerational farm with a mission to produce superior quality, wholesome, farm-fresh dairy products from healthy cows using environmentally sustainable practices and state-of-the-art methods – will provide the Chiles Group with cream and milk used to make the restaurants’ house-made Ricotta and additional dairy-based menu items.
The Dakin family has been milking cows since 1973 and operate the last three remaining dairy farms in Manatee County – all of which grow high-protein grasses utilizing their recycled resources and incorporate fresh grass into the diets of their cows.
“We strive to partner with individuals and companies that are on the cutting edge and lead the charge for important issues like sustainability,” said Ed Chiles, owner of the Chiles Restaurant Group. “Our restaurants are also dedicated to supporting local products and businesses. Making a partnership with Dakin – one of the great local businesses in our area – is a no brainer.”
According to Chiles Group Culinary Director, Erik Walker, “We use Dakin Dairy’s whole milk to make our ricotta that is mixed with a little goat cheese, shallots and lemon zest to stuff our squash blossoms. The whey which is the liquid that is left over from the curds of ricotta is used in our cheese grits.”
“Dakin Dairy Farms is thrilled to partner with the Chiles Restaurant Group and is proud to help further the important work they are doing in our community,” said Karen Dakin, owner of Dakin Dairy Farms. “Through our partnership, we look forward to introducing even more residents and visitors to our quality ‘Farm Fresh’ products and spreading the word about our joint efforts to promote local products and the importance of utilizing environmentally sustainable practices.”
In addition, the Chiles Restaurant Group has entered into a partnership with century old manufacturer of world-class cast-iron skillet and cookware, Lodge Cast Iron, which now provides the restaurants with Lodge cast iron pots and enamel serving pieces.
In the production of its products, the company remains focused on reduced energy consumption, hazardous waste reduction (especially through its environmentally friendly induction melt system), cardboard recycling, the reuse of foundry sand, the elimination of water waste, and the creation of settling ponds to support plant and animal life, as well as the planting of trees for beautification and ozone attainment on the Lodge campus.
Chiles adds, “Like all of our initiatives, our newest partnerships support our overall mission of supporting local, sustainable family run businesses that are closely connected to their communities.” Chiles continues, “The Chiles Restaurant Group is thrilled to support like-minded individuals and companies, like Dakin and Lodge Cast Iron that produce a superior product while also keeping sustainability, eco-friendliness and decreasing the carbon footprint top of mind.”
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