If you’ve ever bitten into a Bahamian conch fritter at Mamey or taken a sip of a guava mojito at Mamey on 3rd, you know that the culinary scene at THesis Hotel is a step above the rest. A repeat James Beard Best Chef nominee, Culinary Director Chef Niven Patel’s commitment to top-notch ingredients and appreciation for food is just as impressive as his culinary prowess.
Started in 2014, Rancho Patel is Chef Niven’s two-acre farm located about an hour from THesis in Homestead, Florida. This sprawling farm supplies our Miami restaurants with much of their freshly harvested produce. Using ingredients from Rancho Patel allows diners to experience these vibrant and flavorful products at their peak.
The Seeds Are Planted
The idea for Rancho Patel came to Chef six years ago. While working in a restaurant, he witnessed a cook bring in beautiful heirloom tomatoes and proceed to throw away half of them. The lack of respect for the product inspired Chef Niven to create Rancho Patel in his own backyard with the help of other cooks from the same restaurant. As they say, the rest is history, with the farm continuing to expand throughout the years.
From Rancho Patel to Table
Today, you’ll find mango, starfruit, lychee trees, taro root, eggplants, heirloom carrots, flowers, over 10 different types of herbs, and over 20 varieties of vegetables at Rancho Patel. How these ingredients are incorporated into Mamey, Orno, and Mamey on 3rd’s diverse dishes changes depending on the harvest season. In the summer, look out for Rancho Patel’s starfruit in the Glazed Lamb Ribs, as well as mangoes and herbs used throughout the menu.
As Chef Niven has said before, his goal is for guests to feel like they’re entering his home when they dine at his restaurants. With a true appreciation for food that includes using produce from Chef’s own farm, it’s safe to say that this personal connection has been established. The best part of Rancho Patel? Its harvests help to create the delicious dishes guests crave at Mamey Restaurant and soon-to-open, Orno Restaurant.
Visit the Farm with Your THesis Program
Immerse yourself at Rancho Patel when you book our signature Your THesis program which includes a tour of the farm, guided by Chef Niven Patel. This one-of-a-kind trip also comes with a custom cocktail experience with the Mamey bar team, a VIP menu tasting, and a THesis King Suite reservation.
