Culinary Vegetable Institute

My wife and I stayed at the Culinary Vegetable Institute for three nights to celebrate our anniversary, the close of our growing season, and to gather some inspiration for our own vegetable farm. From the moment we arrived to the time we departed, every detail was thoughtfully cared for by the incredible team—Chef Jaime, Dario, Kim, and Morgan—who worked tirelessly to make us feel welcome and at home.

The property itself is stunning. The grounds at the CVI offer so many opportunities to relax or explore, whether you’re wandering the gardens, enjoying the quiet spaces, or simply taking in the views. Our room was beautiful, cozy, spotless, and well-maintained, and we especially enjoyed sipping our morning coffee on the balcony.

One highlight of our stay was the in-suite chef-prepared dinner, which is absolutely not to be missed. We had mentioned to Chef Jaime that we’d seen his episode of The Farmer’s Garden and were fascinated by the floral laminated bread he created. When we returned from an outing, we were astonished to find the dinner waiting for us—including that very bread, made especially for us. It was without question the best bread and butter we’ve ever had, and the entire meal was unforgettable. The black sesame cake with charred eggplant ice cream was another standout—one of the best desserts we’ve ever had in our lives.

Beyond the food, we had the chance to tag along with Chef Jaime and Dario as they worked the honeybee hives on the property, which was such a unique and memorable experience. It was fascinating to learn how they care for the bees that are so integral to the farm’s ecosystem.

During our stay, we also loved exploring the surrounding area. Sheri’s Coffee House in Norwalk provided an excellent caffeine fix, and we treated ourselves to a celebratory dinner at Chez François in Vermilion. The tasting menu there is absolutely worth the drive and cost—an elegant complement to our time at CVI.

We can’t recommend the Culinary Vegetable Institute highly enough. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, relaxation, or simply one of the most memorable meals of your life, this is a destination that delivers on every level.

Extraordinary plantations of edible flowers, species, truly amazing and admirable work and products obtained!!! And a dream place for high-level culinary events!!

A beautiful place and concept.

Spring has sprung at CVI!

Absolutely ? excellent

Such an incredible experience. My husband and I loved our stay here. A cozy place with so much care and love. We were greeted with a whole lots of fresh produce straight from the Chef’s garden. Our whole stay was a dream. The weather was perfect, the people are amazing. Would love to come back!

My sister-in-law and I stayed here for a girls quiet night getaway! It was absolutely spectacular! Fresh vegetables and fresh cut flowers waiting for us upon arrival. In the fridge was a decadent tray for breakfast displayed beautifully! Also, since we ordered the Dinner Basket... all courses of the meal were prepared and waiting in the fridge with great detailed directions on how to finalize before sitting down to dine! Included on the table with our dinner was an impeccable bottle of red wine!We were absolutely blown away by the exquisite tastes, attention to every detail of the food presentation, and the love and thought that must have gone into the preparation! Outstanding!!!We were even serenaded by two adorable peacocks and greeted by lil baby chicks sitting out front!We will definitely be back and have already referred and recommended you to multiple family and friends!!!Thank you for EVERYTHING!

What a wonderful and informative group of people. Very kind hearted and willing to discuss a wide range of subjects as far as growing, cooking and best vegetable varieties! You can not find this kind of variety at any grocery store. It really gives me peace of mind knowing that trace elements are not missing when you purchase your vegetables here. Thank you guys for all your hard work. I recall all the hours spent in my small gardens in the past. I appreciate you!

What a wonderful and informative group of people. Very kind hearted and willing to discuss a wide range of subjects as far as growing, cooking and best vegetable varieties! You can not find this kind of variety at any grocery store. It really gives me peace of mind knowing that trace elements are not missing when you purchase your vegetables here. Thank you guys for all your hard work. I recall all the hours spent in my small gardens in the past. I appreciate you!

Great experience. Attended an event with a beautiful plated vegetarian forward dinner. Excellent food.

Great experience. Attended an event with a beautiful plated vegetarian forward dinner. Excellent food.

Wonderful food and staff!

Incredible! Such a lovely getaway. So many extra touches and everything was just so wonderful. The breakfast ingredients were so fresh and delicious. We cannot wait to return and try the dinner!

very interesting place

The absolute best!!! A must go to for chefs..