Facebook Pixel
Location
Artichokes: A Family Affair

Artichokes: A Family Affair

This summer, we were not only thrilled to add grilled artichokes to our menu, but even more thrilled about where we sourced them from: Ocean Mist Farms.

Ocean Mist Farms TeamThis place goes all the way back four generations. It all started when Alfred Tottino teamed up with two other families in 1924 to found the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers—the company’s original name—in Castroville, California.

“He had about 50 acres when he moved to Castroville from Northern Santa Cruz on Highway 1,” said Alfred’s great grandson, Kevin Tottino. “They were just trying to do what they could to get by and get some product into the San Francisco market.”

What started off as a small farming operation quickly became one that turned Castroville into the Artichoke Center of the World. The city even holds an annual artichoke festival, an event where a young Marilyn Monroe was famously crowned Artichoke Queen back in 1949. The festival, held today in beautiful Monterey, California, showcases the heritage of artichokes in Castroville with amazing food, field tours, history displays, and, of course some good beer and wine from local producers.

Artichokes on a tableWhile artichokes can be fried, grilled, baked, cooked or microwaved, Kevin insists there’s one part of the artichoke that he believes makes it particularly unique and special.

“It is definitely the experience and journey you must go through to get to the heart! Nothing compares to the heart of an artichoke.”

Today, Ocean Mist Farms is the largest grower of artichokes in the United States, but still maintains the familial culture that has been an essential part of their success since they were founded. 

“The family aspect is even larger today,” Kevin said. “It is not only some of my family working here, but a majority of employees with family members or descendants just like myself. Stepping back from it all, it is so rare and amazing to work in a company like this. It feels great being a part of it all.”

Words by Colin Liotta
Photos courtesy of Ocean Mist Farms [from left to right: Albert Pieri (2nd generation) , Ed Boutonnet (past Chairman of the Board), Les Tottino (3rd generation), Hugo Tottino (2nd generation)]

Questions? Comments? Email: [email protected]

 

You may also like

Baby2Baby x Lazy Dog Give Back For Mother's Day 2023

April 24th

Home on the Range

March 9th

Our New Spring Menu is Here

February 21st

Hello Sunshine State!

November 5th
eat + drink + meet

Happiest of Hours

September 3rd

Say Hello to Our New Pizza Sticks!

August 18th

Meet Whoa, Nellie Lager

May 4th

Season of Thanks

December 7th

Hello, New Fall Menu

October 6th

TV Dinners

July 30th
eat

LD Pantry Meal Kits

April 1st
eat + make

A Walk in the Woods

March 4th
meet + eat

Symphony in Syrup

February 12th
meet + eat

Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese

January 19th

Catherine the Great

November 7th

End of Summer Road Trip

September 18th
meet + eat

A Tribute to the Bond of Brothers

September 6th

Forces of Nature

August 30th

Our New Fall Menu is Here

August 27th

RECIPE: Coconut Shrimp Ceviche

June 28th
make + eat

New Happy Hour Menu

June 10th

Honey, I shrunk the garden

May 10th
eat + meet

Part 1 // There’s Something About Mary 

April 30th

Hello, New Spring Menu

April 25th

Part 2 // home is where the gin is

April 9th

Part 1 // of all the gin joints

April 2nd

Part 3 // A Gift from Mexico to the World

February 12th

Part 2 // Faces of Lunazul

February 7th

Part 1 // Tequila, Jalisco

January 31st

RECIPE: Roasted Winter Veggies

January 18th
eat + make

bring dip + other unsolicited advice

November 15th
eat + make

DIY: Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Popsicles

November 6th
eat + make

Behind-the-Scenes: Liquid Blanket Beer Video

October 25th

United By Blue X Lazy Dog

October 18th

The Art of Farming

October 15th
eat + meet

Behind-the-Scenes: Tilted Saddle Artwork

October 11th

Beer Club Is Here

October 1st

Our Seasonal Menu Is Here!

September 25th

Behind-the-Scenes: Sun Spanked Beer Video

September 18th

DIY: Street Corn Wheels

September 7th
eat + make

Fall Menu Sneak Peek: Part 2

September 4th
eat

Brunch: Behind-the-Scenes

August 31st
eat + meet

Fall Menu Sneak Peek: Part 1

August 28th
eat

License Plate Jim: A Man with a Plan

April 1st

The Mighty Wyoming Bison

September 22nd
eat

Lazy Dog Sculpture Artist - Terry Jones

October 20th
Close
Choose your Location
Book a Table
Free Delivery