Welcome to MacDonald Farm

Macdonald Farm

LLC

Where Farming Meets the Culinary Arts

Serving in Big Sur, Monterey, and Santa Cruz

The Story of MacDonald Farm:

From Tragedy to a Thriving Business

The Inspring Story of Michael MacDonald

Michael's life took a drastic turn when he was involved in a life altering accident while on vacation in Hawaii. He suffered a spinal cord injury that left him with paraplegia of his legs, among other serious injuries. During his recovery, he turned to his family land and discovered a newfound passion for gardening and raising livestock. His love for this helped him persevere through one of the most challenging periods of his life.

Despite the initial shock and despair of his injuries, Michael found solace in the quiet and peaceful surroundings of his family farm. As he spent more time tending to his garden and caring for his animals, he began to feel a renewed sense of purpose and direction. The daily routines of planting, watering, and harvesting provided him with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that he had not experienced before.

Looking back on his journey, Michael realized that his injuries had been a blessing in disguise. Without them, he might never have discovered his love for farming and the joy that it brought him. He is excited to continue to share his passion with others for many years to come.

His life-partner, Daniel, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and his culinary expertise is truly unparalleled. With a passion for using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and a commitment to creating dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning, he has quickly become one of the most sought-after chefs in the industry. So if you're looking for a truly unforgettable culinary experience, look no further than the MacDonald Farm – it’s the farm that everyone is talking about!

Hear more about our story on The Beet Podcast by Epic Gardening!

Can be heard on all podcast platforms.

Click here to listen!

Watercolor autumn wildflowers floral arrangement illustration

Our Food Philosophy

t MacDonald Farm, "farm-to-table" means more than just a trend. We pride ourselves on utilizing only the finest ingredients, harvested fresh from our farm and sourced sustainably. This approach allows our acclaimed chef to feature the finest ingredients that are in their natural state, without any chemical alteration or long-distance transportation. By using fresh, locally sourced produce, the flavor and quality are preserved, resulting in an exceptional culinary experience.

Why Choose MacDonald Farm?

Limited Availability to provide each client a VIP experience

Customized Menus

Direct Access to your Personal Chef and Gardener

Complimentary Garden Tasting

Ability to change details up to 1 Month prior to event date

LGBTQ+ Owned and Operated

Environmentally Cautious

True Farm-to-Table Cuisine

A chef is only as good as the quality of the ingredients they use

Sub Chicken Entree or Add Additional Veggie Vegan Entrees

Nasturtium Pesto Pasta

Choice of Pasta tossed in Farm-Made Walnut, Nasturtium and Herb Pesto

Creamy Parmesan Garlic Risotto

Garnished with fresh parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

Watercolor abstract shape with gold decorative leaves.

$35/pp

Thick slices of smoky grilled eggplant layered with rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese

Vegetable Tagine

A hearty and aromatic stew of chickpeas, zucchini, and bell peppers, golden raisins in a fragrant spice broth, served over a bed of fluffy couscous.

Seasonal Veggie Flatbread

Fresh vegetables are spread across a lightly seasoned sauce and melted mozzarella cheese, all on top of our signature crispy sourdough flatbread crust.

Vegetable Wellington

A vibrant medley of sautéed vegetables and baked until golden in a flaky crust, served with a side of tangy tarragon aioli.

Main Course.

Lentil and Mushroom Bourguignon

A classic French dish reimagined, featuring tender lentils and meaty mushrooms in a rich, full-bodied red wine broth, served over a bed of creamy polenta.

Sourdough Bread Rolls

Mushroom Mascarpone Lasagna

Served with Lavender Butter

Farm-made Lasagna layered in fresh made tomato sauce, sauteed garlic and herb mushrooms, cheeses, and a farm béchamel sauce.

Roasted Garlic Ceasar Dinosaur Kale Salad

Served with Garden-grown Kale, Farm-made Croutons and Parmesan Cheese

Strawberry Feta Kale Salad

Farm-grown Dinosaur Kale, fresh strawberries, feta, sunflowers, thinly sliced hibiscus pickled onions, strawberry-walnut vinaigrette.

Farm-Grown Seasonal Veggies

Tossed in fresh garden herbs

Lemon Parm Kale Salad

Roasted Garden Potatoes

Farm-grown Dinosaur Kale, fresh parmesan cheese, sourdough crouton crumble, and a farm-to-table lemon vinaigrette.

Herb Seared Chicken Breast

Romaine Garden Salad

Marinated in Garden herbs, Farm-grown Garlic, and Lemon Zest

Freshly harvested cherry tomatoes, heirloom cucumbers, red onions, and rainbow shaved carrots with sweet farm-made balsamic vinaigrette

Quinoa and Arugula Salad

Menu Substitutions and Additions

Freshly harvested cherry tomatoes, heirloom cucumbers, hibiscus pickled red onions, charred lemon vinaigrette

Sub Your Chicken Entree or Add Additional Entrees

Red Wine Braised Beef

Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes

Locally-sourced beef braised for 8+ hours in red wine and herbs.

Parmesan Truffle Mash

Citrus Seared Salmon

Sweet Potato Mash

Locally-sourced salmon seared in an citrus-herb marinade.

Citrus Smoked Turkey

Topped with a garden herb compound butter

Gluten-Free Bread

MacDonald Farm Cornish Hen

Wheat, oat, rye or barley field silhouette

All bread products are freshly baked

with our 225+ year old Sourdough Starter

Cheesy Garlic Sourdough Bread

Cornish Hens grown right on our farm! Marinated and roasted

in garden herbs and spices.

*Based on availability and party size

MacDonald Farm Quail

add: adding an additional entree to the buffet

sub: subsituing an item from the buffet

Quail grown right on our farm! Served with a herb port sauce.

*Based on availability and party size

contains nuts

gluten-free

Vegan

*CONSUMING RAW OR UNDERCOOKED MEATS, POULTRY, SEAFOOD, SHELLFISH, OR EGGS MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

Appetizer Menu

Clients can choose 2 appetizers from our Small Bites menu at $5/guest

$2/pp for every additional appetizer. Can be served Stationary and/or Passed.

Small Bites

Heirloom Cherry Tomato Bruschetta,Grilled Baguette, Purple Basil, Red Wine Balsamic Reduction

Honeyed Ricotta and Strawberry Bruschetta, Farm-made Ricotta, Fresh Picked Strawberries, Sweet Reduction

Goat Cheese Truffles, Fresh Goat Cheese, Meyer Lemon Essence, Soaked Cranberries,Toasted Almonds, Lemon Balm

Blistered Shishito Peppers, Truffle Salt

Brie, Prosciutto and Arugula Crostini

Apple and Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini, Candied Walnut

Hand-Gathered Deviled Eggs, Parmesan Crisp, Borage Flowers

Proscuitto e Melon, Red Wine Reduction

Corn Fritters, Chard Green Onion Aioli

Fresh Sourdough Garlic Bread Bites, Garden-grown Roasted Garlic, Homemade Sourdough Bread

Strawberry Bisque, Strawberry Mint

Mushroom Bisque, Truffle Cream

Butternut Squash Bisque, Candied Pecan Crumble

Broccamole, Guac made with Broccoli and Avocado and served with Lime Zested Corn Chips

Premium Bites

Premium appetizers offered for an additional charge

Deviled Quail Eggs, Herb Parmesan Chamomile Crisp, Borage Flowers

Butternut Squash and Herb Arancinis, Chili Aioli

Candied Bacon Pops, Wine soaked bacon that is candied onto skewers

Chicken Meatballs, Orange Port Glaze

Mini Chicken Almond Apple Sandwiches, Dried cranberries, fresh sourdough bread

Red Wine Braised Beef, Truffle Mash Puree

Braised Quail Tostadas, Chimichurri

contains nuts

Vegan

Gluten-free

Farm Grazing Table Display

This can be combined with the appetizers listed above.

Comes with:

Grilled Sourdough Crostinis or Crackers, Fresh Fruit and Veggies from our garden and local farmers market, and garnished with edible flowers. .

Choose 2 Dips:

Whipped Herb Chèvre, Meyer Lemon Hummus, Herb Hummus, Broccamole, Carmelized Onion Bacon Jam, Strawberry Salsa, Tatziki Sauce, Olive Tapenade, Jalapeño Pepper Jam, Strawberry Jalapeño Jam, Creamy Feta Dip, Fig Jam, Fresh-Made Ranch.

Cakes

The sky is the limit when it comes to cake flavors with MacDonald Farm since every cake is custom made From classic picks to wild combos there s a flavor adventure waiting for you Need help deciding Chef Daniel can help create a custom flavor creation just for you Dive into Flavor Inspirations for some creative ideas

We do not provide cake tastings at this time due to the personalized nature of each cake we create Thank you for your understanding

Fresh from the Farm Bakery

*Fresh eggs from our coop and fresh garden ingredients are used including an array of edible flowers.

12 in. Round Cake

Feeds approximately 50 people.

10 in. Round Cake

Feeds approximately 35 people.

6 in. Round Cake

Feeds approximately 35 people.

3 in. Personal Cakes (1 dozen)

3 in round mini cakes.

Dozen Cake Truffles

Cake Flavors

Cake:

Buttercream:

Strawberry Lemon Chiffon Chocolate Vanilla Traditional White

Additional charges will apply for custom flavor combinations.

Cake Flavors:

Apple-Cinnamon

Olive Oil And Rosemary

Apple Spice

Carrot

Carrot And Brown Butter

Chocolate Carrot

Orange Chiffon

Lemon-Thyme

Lemon Blueberry

Meyer Lemon

Lemon Plum

Lemon Drop (contains alcohol)

Blueberry Buttermilk

Strawberry Thyme

Chocolate Strawberry

Chocolate Raspberry

Chocolate Pumpkin

Chocolate Vanilla Swirl

Espresso Chocolate Chip

German Chocolate

Black Forest

Vegan Chocolate

Chocolate Stout

Almond Amaretto

Strawberry Champagne

Lavender Champagne

Raspberry Champagne

Red Velvet

Raspberry Pink Velvet Cake

Amaretto Spiked Red Velvet

Tres Farm Leches

Honey Lavender

Mocha Lavender

Maple Walnut

Praline Turtle

Pistachio

White Chocolate

Hazelnut Praline

Caramelized Banana

Brown Butter

Classic Hummingbird

Maple Pumpkin

Tiramisu

Funfetti

Cinnamon Roll

Cake Fillings:

Fresh Fruit

Fruit Compote

Whole fruits are cooked in water with sugar and spices.

Strawberry

Raspberry

Blackberry

Blueberry

Farm Butters

A fruit butter is a sweet spread made of fruit

cooked to a paste, then lightly sweetened.

Strawberry

Apple

Banana

Blueberry

Pear

Peach

Pumpkin

Farm-Made Cookie Butter

Pastry Cream

Pastry Cream is a combination of milk, eggs, and starch that are cooked together to create a rich and thick custard

Almond

Coffee

Caramel

Baileys

Lemon

Maple

Extra Sweet

Caramel Praline

Chocolate Hazelnut Praline

Homemade Salted Caramel

Farm-made Butterscotch

Pecan Toffee

Walnut Toffee

Farm-made Nutella

Fresh Sliced Strawberries

Fresh Blueberries

Fresh Blackberries

Fresh Peaches

Caramelized Apples

Caramelized Peaches

Wine-soaked Strawberries

Wine-soaked Raspberries

Banana-Rum

Fruit Curds

Fruit curds are a deliciously fruity spread made

from fruit juice, zest, eggs, and sugar.

Lemon Curd

Meyer Lemon

Blood Orange

Strawberry Curd

Raspberry Curd

Mixed Berry Curd

Cabernet Blackberry Curd

Champagne Strawberry Curd

Ganache

Ganache is a glaze, icing, sauce, or filling for pastries,

made from chocolate and cream.

Chocolate

Pistachio

Raspberry

Whipped Chocolate

Whipped Chocolate Baileys

White Chocolate

Dark chocolate

Coffee

Blueberry White Chocolate

Blackberry White Chocolate

Sweets

$48/Dozen

Pansy Glass Cookies: Delicate shortbread cookies flavored with pansy extract and topped with edible pansies from our garden.

White Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies: Crunchy cookies filled with white chocolate chips and pecans.

Triple Chocolate Malted Cookies: Chewy cookies filled with dark, milk, and white chocolate chips.

Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons: Chewy coconut macaroons dipped in dark chocolate

Fruit Scones (seasonal fruit): Freshly baked seasonal fruit scones

Chocolate Covered Oreos: Oreos dipped in milk chocolate and garnished with edible flowers.

$60/Dozen

Farm-to-Table Dessert Grazing Table

Wafers:

Thin and crispy cookie wafers flavored with the sweetness of vanilla and a touch of lemon, ideal for pairing with whipped creams and sauces.

Fresh Fruit:

A colorful arrangement of fresh, seasonal fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and pineapple

Candied Almonds:

A bowl of candied almonds fragrant with warm cinnamon and a touch of sugar.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Fresh strawberries from the garden, dipped in dark chocolate

Chocolate Crepes: Thin farm-made chocolate crepes topped with a chocolate red wine sauce.

Lavender Creme Brûlée: Rich cream made with fresh eggs from the farm, infused with the floral flavor of lavender then topped with a caramelized sugar crust.

Mini Floral Fruit Tarts: A buttery pastry crust is topped with a mixture of fresh fruit and edible flowers, perfect for celebrating the garden's bounty.

Seasonal Mini Fruit Pies: Choice of Strawberry, Apple, Peach, Blueberry, or Cherry served in individual pies for your guests.

Dessert Popcorn: Individually bagged; comes in Caramel, Chocolate, Tuxedo, Funfetti, Strawberry and Cream.

(Sweets above can be added)

Celebrate the beauty of the season with our Farm to Table Dessert Grazing Table showcasing an array of sweet treats featuring the freshest locally sourced ingredients From edible flowers to fresh fruit arrangements bursting with flavor each item on our menu highlights the best of what s in season Each grazing table includes artisanal sides that are placed throughout the table Our dessert table is a true celebration of nature s candy offering your guests a delightful and memorable treat Let us help you create a dessert experience that s as special as your occasion

Includes:

Whipped Creams and Sauces:

A bowl of freshly whipped cream infused with the sweetness of pure vanilla and a touch of sugar.

A rich and decadent chocolate sauce made with dark chocolate and heavy cream.

A fruity coulis made with fresh strawberries and a touch of sugar, offering a sweet and tangy contrast to creamy desserts.

Garden Garnishes

Delicate petals of violas and pansies along with other flowers from the garden.

Late nIGHT bITES

We offer pre-packaged bites that your guests can enjoy even after we leave!

Savory

Personal Popcorn Bags

Flavors:

Traditional Butter

Kettle

Truffle-Parm

Lavender

Trail Mixes:

Sweet Love: maple glazed nuts, tart dried cherries, and dark chocolate chips.

Sweet and Spicy Mix: blend of nuts and seeds coated with a sweet and spicy seasoning.

Tropical Getaway: banana chips, chocolate chunks, coconut, and nuts

Muddy Buddy: Chocolate and Peanut butter

Nut Free: Shelled pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, golden raisins, dried apricots, chocolate chips

Mini Chicken Apple Salad Sandwiches

Marinated chicken tossed with apples, cranberries, and almonds on fresh baked sourdough bread then Individually packaged.

Personalized-Themed Charcuterie Boards

Comes with Sourdough Crostinis, Garnished with Edible Flowers

Veggie Matrimony: Herb Cream Cheese, Cucumber, Carrot, Cherry Tomatoes

After Party Picnic: Smoked Salami, Smoked Gouda, Grapes, Olives.

Date Night Delight: Brie, Proscuitto, Strawberries, Dark Chocolate

Vegan Vibes: Marinated Tofu, Carrot Sticks, Cherry Tomatoes, Hummus

Mediterranean Escape: Feta Cheese, Salami, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes

Cheesy Love: Brie, Gouda, Cheddar, Grapes

The Bachelor: Variety of cured meats, homemade pickles, Cheddar, Whole Grain Musttard

Spicy Romance: Pimento Cheese, Spicy Salami, Celery, Candied Jalapeños, Carrots

The Mother-in-Law: Gorgonzola, Prosciutto, Fig Jam

Spring Fling: Mozzarella Salami, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, Olives,

“I DO” Chocolate: Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Chocolate Covered Almonds, Prosciutto, Brie

Gourmet Experience: Truffle Cheese, Marcona Almonds, Prosciutto, Fig Jam

Next Day Breakfast: Mini Farm-Made Sourdough Bagel, Cream Cheese, Strawberries, Fruit Jam

Sweet

Smore’s Box

Farm-made marshmallows, milk chocolate, graham crackers

Chocolate Dipped Oreos

Choose: White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate. Dark Chocolate

Heart Shaped Rice Crispy Treats

Farm-made Rice Crispy Treats dipped in your choice of chocolate then individually wrapped.

Testimonials

-Jamie M

There is no one out there like Daniel and Mike. The story of how they started MacDonald Farm is as heartwarming as the meals they serve; meals that warm the soul and are made with love, using healthy, locally-sourced ingredients from their family farm in Monterey, CA. Both Daniel and Mike were an absolute joy to work with from day one and completely blew away all of our expectations with the most delicious and breathtaking reception dinner for our wedding at the Wind & Sea Estate in Big Sur. The farm-fresh deviled quail eggs garnished with parmesan crisps and borage flowers were an absolute hit! We were also gushing over the glazed chicken meatballs, the strawberry and ricotta kale salad, and their homemade chimichurri sauce… I could go on! We were nervous how we would pull off an elegant dinner without a coordinator at a challenging and remote venue, but Mike and Daniel are truly masters in the kitchen who showed the utmost professionalism from start to finish, making the whole experience easy, fun and so enjoyable. We especially loved how genuinely excited they were to be a part of our wedding instead of feeling like we were just another event - it makes a BIG difference! Mike and Daniel won everyone’s hearts over at our wedding, including our other vendors! Nearly every guest or staff member in attendance asked us at one point or another, “How did you find them?!?” That’s how memorable they were! We are SO impressed and happy with our experience, and cannot recommend Macdonald Farms enough. We truly found a diamond in the ruff with Mike and Daniel. Thank you both for everything.

-Kadi C.

Daniel and Mike did a great job for our intimate wedding in Big Sur, they were very helpful with planning the menu and getting everything set in our very short timeline! Everyone loved the food and we had the best time working with them. I love their backstory and visiting them on the farm for a tasting was so fun, it’s amazing how they grow their own ingredients and the skill they have making every dish taste amazing! We’re had several dietary restrictions but luckily that wasn’t an issue. Most of our dishes were dairy and gluten free and no one could tell which was so impressive! If you want a caterer who is sustainable, flexible and makes delicious food MacDonald Farm is for you!!

-Justine F.

Do you want to work with a low-stress caterer who will customize the menu to any of your vegan/vegetarian needs? And do you want all of your guests to remark how good the food is at your wedding? If yes, Daniel and MacDonald Farm are the perfect caterer for you! I hired Daniel to cater my little wedding with less than 15 people in Big Sur and he was awesome to partner with!The wedding was scheduled to be outside and when a storm was predicted, we moved it up a day and to a new venue at the last minute. Daniel was so flexible and responsive through all of the changes and he was able to deliver delicious food despite it all. Within minutes of my guests starting to eat lunch they were all saying how great the food was. And we saved all of the extra and the guests ate the rest for lunch the next few days :) I highly recommend Daniel and his team for your wedding or event!

-JD

Chef

Daniel Macdonald

Your Personal Chef

Chef Daniel is a highly skilled and classically trained French chef with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. He graduated from one of the top culinary schools in the country and has since worked as a private chef for numerous celebrities, including Judge Judy, and corporations such as Google, Pottery Barn, Kia Motors, and more. Chef Daniel has collaborated with the Anaheim Ducks, several movie and TV show productions, as well as actors, movie producers, and teen rehabilitation centers.

In addition, Chef Daniel has lent his expertise in consulting the opening of 4 thriving restaurants and developing vegan menus for major health specialty stores, such as Whole Foods. He also has a wealth of experience working with local wineries to create memorable farm-to-table food and wine pairings.

In addition to his culinary expertise, Chef Daniel is an accomplished baker. He has eight years of baking experience, from crafting wedding cakes to small farm-to-table desserts, Chef Daniel has a talent for providing the perfect finish to any extraordinary meal.