Secret Forest Launch Celebration: Chef Isaac Ocejo, Bauman’s Cider, music & fun in the forest
More about this event
Nestled between Beacon Rock Park and Gifford Pinchot Forest, Secret Forest will be a micro-cidery, tasting room and nature retreat for creativity-driven community gatherings
Our special evening will feature:
– A wonderful 4-course dinner of seasonal, local ingredients prepared by illustrious Portland Chef Isaac Ocejo
– Perfect cider-pairings guided by award-winning Bauman Cider’s head cidermaker Christine Walter (bio below)
– Location-specific music experience prepared by LIMINAL Music, drawing inspiration from our forest’s natural symphony dancing with the sounds of Japanese ambient composers like Susumu Yokota
– Lux honey wagon for bathrooms (no porta-potties)
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Start: 5:30pm (dinner @ 6:30pm)
End: 9:30pm
Location: Near Beacon Rock State Park, WA (address provided upon ticket purchase)
Price: $150/person (incl. fees)
Notes:
– Capacity is strictly limited
– 21+ only
– Limited camping space available (email simonrust@gmail.com with inquiries)
About Isaac Ocejo – Chef & Culinary Curator
Portland native Isaac Ocejo has spent over 15 years in the Pacific Northwest’s culinary scene. A graduate of the Oregon Culinary Institute, he’s cooked in acclaimed kitchens like Paley’s Place, Imperial, and Tastebud, always guided by a love for seasonality and local ingredients.
He co-founded Toyshop Ramen, which started as an Instagram pop-up and grew into a successful brick-and-mortar. After stepping away to focus on family, Isaac led the culinary program at Antiquum Farm and launched his own catering company, creating intimate, multi-course farm-to-table experiences in unique settings.
Today, he works as “the company man” at Campana & Pronto, trained across all stations—including gelato production—helping shape the identity of this dynamic new venture. Isaac’s work is rooted in craftsmanship, community, and a passion for telling stories through food.
About Christine Walter: Christine Walter is the owner and head cidermaker at Bauman’s Cider,established in 2016 on her family’s farm in Gervais, Oregon. Christine spent her childhood on the farm, which was originally homesteaded by her great great grandmother Elizabeth and her sons Stephen and Leo in 1895. They began growing apples and now, as a fifth-generation farmer, she continues the legacy by blending modern cidermaking with tried-and true heritage methods using that same fruit grown and harvested on the farm.
In less than a decade she has transformed Bauman’s Cider into a nationally recognized brand, earning the title of Mid-sized Cidery of the Year for four consecutive years at prestigious competitions such as the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition and the Portland International Cider Cup. Her ciders have won over 150 medals in competitions around the country.
Whether dry traditional-style or modern blends her innovative ciders feature Pacific Northwest fruits like loganberries and peaches. Her ciders have garnered multiple awards, including a gold medal for the Endless Harvest Cider in the high-tannin dry cider category at the 2024 Northwest Cider Cup, where it also tied for runner-up as the best overall cider.
In 2024, Walter expanded her culinary influence by opening Bauman’s on Oak, which was honored as “Best New Restaurant” by Eater Portland. Its food program is designed and prepared by the renowned chef of Cafe Olli, Daniel Green.
