Saturday's Off to the FARM: Cultivating cocktails and cuisine for a good cause

It's been way too long since the vivacious Amber West has loosed her earthy mixology mettle upon the world, but that's all going to change on Saturday with Off To The FARM, an epicurean event benefitting Project Transformation, an education-oriented agency serving low-income kids throughout North Texas.

There will be goats. And aquaponics. And hors d'oeuvres from chefs like Hibiscus' Graham Dodds, Garden Café's Mark Wootten and Adam West of The Porch. And of course, drinks from Amber West, whose talents once shone behind the bar at since-closed Central 214 (where Dodds was chef) before she took a job as Texas rep for Vermont-based Caledonia Spirits.

Off to the FARM runs from 2 to 6 pm Saturday at 314 W. Belt Line in Desoto, just outside of Oak Cliff. The farm facility houses both FARM (Farmers Assisting Returning Military) and Eat The Yard.

Project Transformation, a non-profit education organization offering after-school and summer programs to low-income youth, is putting on the event in partnership with FARM. Participating chefs will create their hors d'oeuvres using the farm's locally grown produce, and it's a fair bet that Amber's cocktails will include some of that fresh stuff, too: As bar manager at Central 214, she had a particular knack - and an undeniable passion - for highlighting seasonal fruits of the land in her cocktails. But then Caledonia stole her away, and then she became even busier still, taking time off to have her second daughter, Sage.

"I've supported Project Transformation for the last three years," she says. "Being a mom, my heart just went out to these kids who don't have anywhere to go after school. This really saves them from being on the streets."

And with part of Project Transformation's curriculum including cooking and gardening workshops, she was sold.

Her cocktails will celebrate springtime and complement the event's Southern-style menu. And of course, they'll feature Caledonia's honey-kissed Barr Hill Gin. And probably herbs and honeysuckle too. Get over there and see her before she returns to her true love -- being a mother to her two daughters. "Being a mother is the most amazing gift I have ever received," she told me. "I miss the industry and being behind the bar. It's in my blood. But being a mommy is my whole heart."

All proceeds from Off To The FARM will benefit Project Transformation. Tickets for the all-inclusive event are $35 in advance or $40 at the door and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/off-to-the-farm-tickets-16604272827.