A “Taste of” the Hudson Valley

If you’re looking for a true taste of the Hudson Valley, mark your calendar for the fifth annual Hudson Valley Bounty ‘Taste of’ Dinner on August 5 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. The Coumbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, N.Y. sets the stage for this popular fundraising event, which this year commemorates its original founders.

Over 40 area farms, including Pine Plains, NY-based Coach Farm, are participating in this year’s Hudson Valley Bounty ‘Taste of’ Dinner. Photo courtesy of Coach Farm.

The Bounty program will be honoring the original group who started the event back in 2008: Lori Seldon, David Robinson, the late Vicki Simons, Dave Colby, Steve Hadcock, Tom Crowell, Betsy Braley, Liz Beals and Joan Kadin. In addition, Hudson Valley Bounty will honor the 13 restaurants, farms and food makers that have participated and supported the event every year since its inception and who will be in attendance again this year: Blue Plate, Local 111, Carlucci-Simons Catering, Stissing House, Micosta, The Berry Farm, Staron’s Farm, Samascott Orchards, Ronnybrook Farm, Holmquest Farm, Feather Ridge Farm, Hudson-Chatham Winery and Chatham Brewing.

At left, a girl sits in a Ronnybrook Farm truck (photo courtesy of Ronnybrook Farm, Ancramdale, NY). At right, vibrant cherries grow on the trees of Samascott Orchards (photo courtesy of Samascott Orchards, Kinderhook, NY). These two farms, among other farms and foodmakers, have taken part in and supported the event each year since it began in 2008.

This year’s tasting dinner will also feature Hudson Valley restaurants and foodmakers including Helsinki Hudson, The Crimson Sparrow, The Cascades, The Old Chatham Country Store, American Glory, Tousey Winery, Brookview Station Winery, Beer Diviner, Jane’s Ice Cream, Sofregit, Serevan, Carolina House, Georgia Ray’s Kitchen, Beth’s Farm Kitchen, Hawthorne Valley Farm Store and For the Love of Pie. New this year, several member restaurants and food makers from the Berkshires will participate in the event. These include The Red Lion Inn, John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant, Nudel, The Meat Market, Route 7 Grill, Allium, The Old Inn on the Green and H.R. Zeppelin Chocolates.

A dish prepared by Great Barrington, MA-based restaurant and Hudson Valley Bounty ‘Taste of’ Dinner participant, Allium. The dish features veal pastrami from dinner participant Black Queen Angus Farm. At right, Chef Hugh Horner of Helsinki Hudson tends to a smoker.

“This is the culinary event of the season—a ‘must’ for foodies, passionate cooks and gardeners,” says HVB Program Director Kristin Roca. “The evening will highlight the best of our community’s restaurants and chefs making use of the amazing range of fresh, local food available right in our own backyard.” Last year, more than 30 chefs and farmers participated; serving tastes to more than 250 people and enjoying the opportunity to meet other Hudson Valley chefs, farmers and guests in a festive environment.

Celebrated area chefs will be paired with expert farmers to showcase a wide range of food grown and prepared in the Hudson Valley. More than 20 restaurant chefs will prepare dishes alongside tasting tables featuring local winemakers and brewers. Participants will feature ample “tastes” of more than 30 recipes including everything from appetizers and salads to main courses and desserts.

Blueberry cheesecake from longtime dinner participant Local 111 (photo courtesy of Local 111, Philmont, NY).

“The chefs being featured at ‘A Taste of’ offer considerable support to our farmers as the tastemakers of local food and help set the tone educating our region’s consumers about sourcing local ingredients,” said Todd Erling, Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVADC). “This event gives our community a chance to sample exceptional cuisine crafted by our region’s best chefs and to experience first-hand the vital connection between farm and table.”

Seared duck breast from John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant (photo courtesy of John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant, South Egremont, MA).

Advance purchase of tickets is recommended due to limited space. Tickets are $75 for adults, $50 for HVB members and $25 for children (12 and under) and can be purchased online at hudsonvalleybounty.com or at the door. New this year is a discounted price of $50 for farmers, which can be purchased via phone. For more information, contact Kristin Roca at 518.432.5360.

The mission of Hudson Valley Bounty, a program of the HVADC, is to educate the community about the preservation of local farms through the purchase and use of local and regional sustainable foods and products throughout the entire Hudson Valley. The program also promotes and supports networking connections between local agricultural producers and culinary businesses. For information, visit Hudson Valley Bounty.

Can’t make the Hudson Valley ‘Taste of’ Dinner? Cook up your own locally-inspired dish with the help of Hudson Made.