Christine Barbour, Bloomington food writer, called the FARMBloomington an “idiosyncratic shrine.” Others call it a restaurant, a speakeasy, a café, a music hall. They are all correct. The FARMBloomington is all those and more.

Owner-chef Daniel Orr is the cause of all these descriptors. Taking a degree from John and Wales Culinary School, he cut his professional teeth in some world-class restaurants in France and New York, picked up additional knowledge of tropical flavors and seasonings in the Caribbean, and returned to his farmland roots in Indiana to bring his international pedigree to the roots and herbs and vegetables and poultry of his family’s farm in nearby Columbus.

Orr is convinced that 90% of gastronomic success is finding the right ingredients; 10% is cooking. While respecting the great food temples of Manhattan and Paris, Orr believes cooking and eating should be fun, and it is sheer pleasure he brings to the tables of the FARMBloomington. Watch the video and meet Chef Orr.

How the use of wine figures in his cooking and his restaurant’s cellars is the subject of our conversation with him. Watch the video for more about his experiences and insights.

Be sure to watch the video at right featuring Dr. Allen Dale 'Ole' Olson and Chef Daniel Orr, owner of FARMBloomington, Bloomington, IN »