A New Voice from the Caprae Kitchen
- Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
- Sep 9
- 7 min read
September 7th, 2025
This week I'm excited to introduce you to Peter Glatz, one of our talented cooks at Caprae who brings something special to our kitchen. Beyond his culinary skills, Peter is an accomplished writer whose work appears regularly in Illinois Times and has even been featured in Bon Appétit. What I love most about his writing is how he makes the happenings of our kitchen both entertaining and educational.
In July, we celebrated my son's birthday at Caprae during our Local Honey Celebration dinner. We had Peter's honey panna cotta for dessert, and it truly was a work of art that tasted every bit as amazing as it looked. Every bite was savored—our entire table went silent as we all just sat and enjoyed the sweet creaminess of that incredible dessert.
Peter shared that panna cotta recipe in one of his articles, but honestly, I don't want to risk ruining my sweet memory by potentially botching it up at home!
Peter brings a unique perspective to our kitchen, having worked in some incredible restaurants before finding his way to our farm. His approach to cooking and his ability to tell the stories behind the dishes make him a wonderful addition to our team.
So with no further ado, I'll let Peter share his own story and insights from the Caprae kitchen...
Christina Asklund
Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Chef Peter
Let me introduce myself: I'm Chef Peter, a cook at Caprae. I'm easily identifiable because I'm 30 years older than Chef Garron and 50 years older than our line cooks. For 40 years, I was a dentist. However, after my children grew up, my wife passed away, and my only remaining charge was my dog, Toulouse, I decided to sell everything and reinvent myself. At the ripe, old age of 66, I began a new life with a new career and a new marriage. This allowed me to revisit the vision I had as an 18-year-old of becoming an artist and supporting myself as a chef. And except for the artist part, this is the path I’ve followed for the past seven years.
Prairie Roots
My connection to Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery began in 2007. I accompanied my late wife, who was a food columnist, to an interview with Leslie Cooperband and Wes Jarrell, the farm's founders. I was immediately captivated! I'd always secretly dreamed of a hippie lifestyle—living off the land, raising goats, and making cheese—and here they were, actually doing it!
I eagerly sought tickets to their inaugural farm dinners. As a frequent attendee who thoroughly enjoyed the events, I eventually inquired about volunteering in the kitchen. For several events, my converted school bus, "Bertha," was parked beside the goat barns while I spent the weekend assisting with the dinner preparations.
The farm kitchen became my sanctuary, prompting me to dedicate my time away from dentistry to unpaid apprenticeships in other restaurants. This allowed me to gradually sharpen my culinary expertise.
When I decided to start a new career as a chef, I set a goal of pushing hard and seeing how far I could go until I was 70 years old. That path has taken me into the kitchens of James-Beard award-winning chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants. I’ve never worked at the same place for more than 9 months; at my advanced age, I’ve always wanted new experiences and challenges.
The Pull Back to the Kitchen
May 18, 2023, marked my 70th birthday and my final day in a dream job, working in Sean Brock's Fermentation and R&D lab at Audrey restaurant in Nashville. Having reached my goal, I returned to my hometown of Springfield to officially retire.
Retirement hit me hard. I baked an excessive amount of sourdough bread, more than I could offload on friends and family. With a sudden abundance of free time, my focus shifted to devouring cookbooks and experimenting with new culinary creations. My nightly gourmet meals eventually had my wife stressing over her waistline and begging for a simple salad.
After seeing an Instagram post that Caprae, the Farm's new restaurant, was hiring kitchen staff, I immediately submitted my resume and got the job. I spent the summer cooking in the kitchen and briefly worked in the Creamery. I lived nearby in my converted school bus, commuting to Springfield on my days off to be with my wife, whom I had promised I would only work until the end of October.
This most recent attempt at retirement lasted only five months. Despite my intention to always seek new experiences and challenges, I am back in the kitchen at Caprae, and I'm not sure if I will ever leave!
Chef Peter Glatz
Caprae Restaurant at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery
Upcoming Events
Prairie Rivers Network-
Mahomet Aquaifer Community Celebration
Join us as we celebrate PRN passing legislation protecting the Mahomet Aquifer
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, September 9th
Time 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Registration Required - Here
Prairie Artist Market
Join us in celebrating our local artists and makers at the farm!
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, September 21st
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: FREE
Fall Farm Celebration & Raclette Dinner
This packed weekend will kick off with a special Raclette Cheese dinner at Caprae Saturday night. We are hosting Leelanau Cheese Company cheesemaker Nick for a special multi-course dinner featuring their incredible cheese. Then on Sunday, bring the family to the farm for a day of fall celebrations, including a goat costume parade and melted Raclette cheese sandwiches!
Event Details:
Date: October 18th & 19th
Time: Saturday Dinner Starts at 6pm & Sunday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: Sunday FREE
Dinner Tickets COMING SOON!
Goats & Grooves Music Presents...
Since May, the Merry Travelers have been bringing their groovy, feel-good sound to our farm, and we couldn't love them more! Their lush blend of soul, pop, jazz, and psychedelic rock creates the perfect soundtrack for prairie sunsets.
Join us every Wednesday, under the pavilion from 5-8pm for an evening of incredible music. Holly Monet's soulful vocals and the band's unique musicianship always hit the spot.
Our bar cart will be open with small bites and craft drinks - the perfect way to unwind midweek with great music and farm vibes.
Date: Wednesday's September-October
Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: FREE
Goat Hikes
Goat Hikes are led by our seasoned volunteers and knowledgeable staff. We'll explore the Eastern portion of our farm along the pasture and pond with plenty of scenic stops for photos. There is also an opportunity for everyone's favorite part of the hike... the running of the goats!
Event Details:
Tuesday's at 5:30pm (9/9, 9/23, & 9/30 booked for private events)
Saturday's at 9am
Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL
Admission: Tickets can be purchased HERE
Farm Tours
Weekly farm tours!
Join us every Friday at 3:00 PM for a behind-the-scenes tour of Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery—a working, regenerative dairy farm in the heart of the prairie.
Event Details:
- $10 per person
- 60-minute tour including cheese sampling
-Tours check in at the red barn
Tickets can be purchased here Walk-ups are welcome based on space
Now accepting requests for private group tours throughout 2025-2026:
- $10 per person
- 60-minute tour including cheese sampling
- Groups of 10-25 people (larger groups by special request)
- Special rates for local K-12 schools and UIUC VetMed groups
Fill out our interest form here or email office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Volunteer Orientation
Join us on the First Friday of the month at 4:30pm for a volunteer orientation to learn how you can help us with the fall harvest! We need extra hands for the apple, pear and tomato harvests. Find out how you can help! Sign up here
Find Us at a Local Farmers' Market & Grocery
Available at the markets this weekend: Chevre, Feta, Pelota wedges, goat milk yogurt, Ukrainian Farmers Cheese, Arch Angel, Angel Food, Little Bloom, and Fleur de la Prairie.
Chevre Flavor of the week is Cinnamon Raisin Chevre
Farm Share is Goat Milk Yogurt, 2oz local honey, Granola and 1/2 loaf of cinnamon raisin bread from Central Illinois Bakehouse. Sign up for a Farm Share HERE
You can find us at the following Farmer Markets:
Every Tuesday till October
Downtown Champaign Plaza
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
The market is every Saturday, May- October.
Grossinger Motors Arena
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The market is every Saturday, May- October.
Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
Saturdays 7:00 AM - 12 PM
The market is every Saturday & Wednesday, May- October.
Downtown Springfield
Wednesdays & Saturdays 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Find Our Cheese at These Retailers
Our award-winning cheeses are available at these fine retailers:
Martinelli's Market (Champaign)
Martinelli's Market (Bloomington)
Pekara Bakery and Bistro (Champaign)
Common Ground Food Coop (Urbana)
Harvest Market (Champaign)
Green Top Grocery (Bloomington)
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (St Louis and Chicago Locations)
Prairie Food Co-op (Lombard, IL)
Rosewood Farms (Sugar Grove, IL)
Wild Onion Market (Chicago, serving the Rogers Park/West Ridge/Evanston and surrounding areas)
For wholesale inquiries, contact Christina at office@prairiefruitsfarm.com
Prairie Fruits Farm & Caprae Restaurant
Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a casual evening out, Caprae welcomes you with our blend of farm-to-table cuisine and warm hospitality. Our cozy dining room and friendly staff create the perfect atmosphere for any gathering.
Hours & Service
Tuesday-Friday: 4-9 PM Dinner
Saturday: 9 AM-4 PM Brunch
4 PM-9 PM Dinner
Sunday: 9 AM-2 PM Brunch
(Bar open until 4 PM) Farm open till 4 PM
Bar service includes craft drinks, cheese plates, and gelato
Seating Options
Indoor dining room Outdoor patio (weather permitting)
Reservations are appreciated but not required - book through Tock.
Follow us on social media for specials and updates!
*During all open hours, guests can explore our marked trails, visit the goats, and enjoy meals or beverages in our pavilion or on the lawns. Our staff is always happy to chat about our farm, goats, and cheese-making process.
*Please note: No outside food or pets are allowed. All activities are weather-permitting.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at farm life during the seasons.
