From Inn Season CAFE to Black Star Farms

A Harvest Celebration OF Michigan’s Culinary Story

In 1981, We opened Inn Season Cafe in Royal Oak, Michigan, guided by one principle: food should be seasonal, local, and a celebration of the land. For over 20 years, I served as founding chef and owner, building relationships with local farms and pioneering plant-based dining in the Midwest. After passing the torch in 2002, I wrote Vegetarian Traditions, a cookbook that carried forward the spirit of Inn Season Cafe. The restaurant itself remained a beloved landmark until 2020, closing after nearly four decades of service.

That legacy continues this fall. On October 23, I’ll be part of a special Harvest Dinner at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay, filmed for Detroit: The City of Chefs III on PBS, produced by Keith Famie. (Event details)

What to Expect

– A 4–5 course menu paired with estate wines from Black Star Farms
– Collaboration with Chef Jimmy Schmidt, top Northern Michigan chefs and plant-based stars like Cacao Tree Chef Amber Poupore
– Stories of local farms, ingredients, and communities woven into each dish
– A PBS feature documenting the evening as part of Detroit’s evolving food story in Detroit City of Chefs III scheduled to premier in 2026

How to Join

Tickets are limited and available through Black Star Farms. (Reserve here)

This event is not just a dinner—it is a celebration of Michigan’s food heritage, a continuation of Inn Season’s vision, and an opportunity to be part of a story that will inspire future generations.