The Hamptons Get Chopped!
As the temperature in New York City increases, the streets empty out. Where is everyone you might ask? To beat the heat locals head for the Hamptons to enjoy some sun. However, last Saturday our hearts and minds were focused on our stomachs.
James Beard Foundation presented their annual culinary fundraiser, Chefs & Champagne, at the gorgeous Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, N.Y. This year the event honored multiple award-winning TV personality and cookbook author Ted Allen along with the judges of Food Network’s Chopped; Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson, Aarón Sanchez, Chris Santos, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
The event is considered the East
End’s premiere culinary event,
raising funds to support the James
Beard Foundation’s missions and
programs, including culinary
scholarships and the organization's annual food conference on sustainability, public health, and nutrition.
Guests were able to indulge in the creations of over 30 of the finest chefs (including two of the Chopped judges) and plenty of bubbly. Buttery lobster rolls, mascarpone mouse with roasted strawberries, grilled octopus paired with summer squash, and scrumptious ice cream truffles were all up for sampling, while Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte kept everyone hydrated.
Chopped's host Ted Allen congratulated the James Beard scholarship winners for their hard work upon taking the stage. “This is a very special Chefs & Champagne, as it’s the first time with the Chopped theme. Every dish you have had tonight contained the following four ingredients: yak testicles, Four Loco- passion fruit flavor, rattle snake demi-glace, and Spam. In all the stuff I tasted really it was very subtle. I’m not sure they really celebrated the ingredients… I think they’re all kind of chopped in terms of that score…” joked Allen.
“Chopped’s popular cast has made it one of the most watched culinary TV shows over the past three years,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Their high energy and approachable way of discussing food make Allen and the all-star judges among the industry’s finest. We were thrilled to bestow a James Beard Foundation Broadcast Media Award upon them this past spring…”
Founded in 1986 the James Beard Foundation is dedicated to preserving America’s diverse culinary heritage and future, named after cookbook author and teacher James Beard.
Want to get in on all the action? You can become a member for as little as $29.00 with special deals for students and professionals. Check out https://www.jamesbeard.org/membership for more information.
- Article and photography by: Janine Silver
A Summer of Gatsby
Screaming of decadence and dripping in pearls, the roaring 20's are all the rage this summer after the release of Baz Luhrmann's Great Gatsby. Rebelling against modest floor length hems and long locks, the 20's paved the way for modern day fashion.
We wish we could travel into Fitzgerald's world of opulent parties on Long Island's fictional West Egg but we'll settle for the next best thing, the Bi-Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party. Step aboard the Governor's Island ferry and step back in time and into "a dream of the 1920s nestled right in the heart of New York Harbor."
Experience a family friendly afternoon away from tv, video games and smartphones (ok you can bring your phone, we won't tell.) Pack a picnic, sample the sweet treats at the pie contest, check out the authentic 1920's automobiles, take a spin around the dance floor to Michael Arnella and his Dreamland Orchestra (don't worry instructors are on hand to teach you all the popular dances of the times), or simply sit back and watch the parade of dapper gents and glamorous flappers.
Get out your pearls, dropped waist dresses, suspenders, and hats and join us for the next Jazz Age Lawn Party August 17 & 18th. For more information go to http://www.dreamlandorchestra.com/calendar.php
-Article and photography by: Janine Silver
