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Hamptons Happenings:James Beard Foundation names Carla Hall from the Chew the 2015 Chefs and Champagne Honoree”
This summer, the James Beard Foundation (JBF) will honor celebrated TV personality, Co-Host of ABC-TV’s Popular Lifestyle Series “The Chew”, chef,  and cookbook author Carla Hall at Chefs & Champagne®, the Foundation’s annual fundraiser and tasting party in the Hamptons.

The James Beard Foundation (JBF), the country’s preeminent culinary organization, announced that it will honor celebrated TV personality, chef, and cookbook author Carla Hall at its annual Hamptons fundraiser and tasting party this summer. Chefs & Champagne® will be held at Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, New York, on Saturday, July 25, 2015, featuring flowing Champagne Taittinger and culinary offerings from a select group of more than 40 fine chefs, many from JBF Award–winning restaurants.

Carla says  “when I set out for culinary school after years of running a small catering business, it was with the hopes of learning everything I could about cooking and the culinary arts.  In the end, I learned, as we all do, that education and discovery in the kitchen never stops,”  “To be honored by the prestigious James Beard Foundation, which does so much to encourage the study of the culinary arts and the discovery of all that is magical about them is an amazing experience because it both affirms past choices and inspires future decisions.”

With this recognition, Hall joins the ranks of prestigious past Chefs & Champagne honorees including Bobby Flay, Thomas Keller, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Martha Stewart, and many more. She is a co-host of ABC’s popular lifestyle series The Chew, seated alongside restaurateurs and Iron Chef America stars Mario Batali and Michael Symon, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz. Hall is best known as a competitor on Bravo’s Top Chef, where she won over audiences with her fun catch phrase, “Hootie Hoo,” and her philosophy to always cook with love. Hall is the owner of Carla Hall Petite Cookies, an artisan cookie company that specializes in creating sweet and savory “petite bites of love,” and author of two cookbooks, “Carla’s Comfort Food: Favorite Dishes from Around the World” (2014) and “Cooking with Love: Comfort Food That Hugs You” (2012). Hall’s approach to cooking blends her classic French training and Southern upbringing for a twist on traditional favorites, which will be reflected on the menu of her soon-to-open fast-casual New York City restaurant, Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen.

Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation says “ever since they had the pleasure of working with Carla on their Taste America program in Philadelphia, they have been looking for another opportunity to bring her infectious love of life and creative culinary insights to an even wider audience.” “She exemplifies what is at the core of our mission: celebrating, nurturing, and honoring America’s diverse culinary heritage and future.”

image002Chefs & Champagne is considered the East End’s premiere culinary event. Funds raised at the event help support the James Beard Foundation’s wide variety of initiatives, including culinary student scholarships and the organization’s annual food conference on sustainability, public health, and nutrition. A silent auction consisting of fine dining experiences, wines and spirits, cookware, and culinary travel packages will also raise funds for the organization.

With a long tradition of supporting culinary education, the James Beard Foundation will also announce the recipient of the Christian Wölffer Scholarship at the event. Established in 2006, the scholarship fund supports students in their study of food and wine. As of 2014, the James Beard Foundation has awarded more than $5 million in financial aid to 1,650 recipients throughout the country.

The Chefs & Champagne main event will take place from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Saturday, July 25, and is open to the public—reservations are $200 for James Beard Foundation members and $275 for non members. General admission includes all tastings, silent auction bidding opportunities and gift bag.  VIP premium admission, beginning at 5:00 pm, is $375 for James Beard Foundation members and non members.  VIP tables of 10 are available for $4,000.  The VIP experience includes an additional exclusive reception hour with early access to all tastings, reserved table seating, advanced silent auction preview, gift bag and access to the VIP after-party. Reservations can be made by calling (212) 627-2308 or at jamesbeard.org/chefsandchampagne. To become a member of the James Beard Foundation, click here.

In addition to exclusive Champagne sponsor Champagne Taittinger, support for Chefs & Champagne 2015 will be provided by Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, Celebrity Cruises®, Fossil Farms™, Hamptons magazine, Stella Artois® Belgian Lager, Sysco Metro NY, LLC, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, VerTerra Dinnerware, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, and WVVH.*

About the James Beard Foundation (JBF)

Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, James Beard, who died in 1985, was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. In September of 2012, JBF launched the Diplomatic Culinary Partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Protocol and helped create the American Chef Corps as a way to champion American chefs abroad, promote American food products, and foster an interest in American culinary culture and history through international programs and initiatives. One such project is the next world’s fair, Expo Milano 2015, for which the James Beard Foundation is co-leading the effort for the State Department to design and produce the USA Pavilion, a global gathering of 147 countries addressing the challenges of how we will feed ourselves in the future. The pavilion, whose theme will be “American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet,” will showcase America’s contributions to global food security and gastronomy. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. Find insights on food at the James Beard Foundation’s blog Delights & Prejudices. Join the James Beard Foundation on Facebook. Follow the James Beard Foundation on Twitter and Instagram.

For press info: Contact: Alexandra Pearson or Diane Stefani, 212.255.8455 [email protected] /[email protected] @BeardFoundation #JBFChefsandChampagne

Hamptons: News Around Town, Openings, closings and much more..March 30th 2015

SOUTHAMPTON, NY: On Friday, March 27th I drove around Southampton Village and I was surprised to see so many store fronts vacant and available for rent. I counted 21, but I think there are more. I have seen a shift in the village for a couple of years with more and more “Pop-Ups” taking over the village in both East Hampton and Southampton. There is a HUGE churn in the Village with many businesses that opened last year, are not there this year.
I wonder how many of those store front landlords are renting to seasonal businesses for the summer season. I reached out to several people for more information and was ultimately told that this is normal for this time of the year in Southampton. I sincerely hope not because that is not great for the businesses that are open year-round. I wonder if the seasonal businesses that occupied those locations last year are coming back this year. I suppose I will just have to wait to see who’s moving in. No word if the Kardashian’s are coming back this summer yet…

Starbucks will be opening on Hampton Road in Southampton, across the street from Citarella…….Same demographic

_DSC0079C WONDER…has closed their doors in both Southampton and Easthampton permanently, company went bankrupt (click here for more on that.)No word on who’s moving into that space yet.

_DSC0040Vines & Branches are no longer in Southampton, they moved to Greenport 2 weeks ago, I am told the lease ran out and the space was rented to someone else. I love this store, you can order online or take a day trip to Greenport.

SAG HARBOR
GETTY IS OUT AND EXXON IS IN….Not sure what’s the deal with this, but no more Getty Gas….Re-open Monday 3/30…

STUDIO 89 is celebrating their 6th year anniversary in April with special offers…..contact them for more information.

Watchcase Factory Condo’s: Word on the Street is many owners will start moving in soon. Thus far 3 units have closed and 16 others are slated to close in mid April 2015. I am told that 80% of the units in the Factory are sold. Looking forward to attending some events happening there this summer.

I wrote last week that it was rumored that Henry Lehr was opening in Sag Harbor, that rumor was 100% accurate and I am told they should be open by Memorial Day weekend.

I am told that Plaza Sports with locations in Montauk and Rocky Point will be opening a new location in Sag Harbor this Spring on Main Street. More information to follow….

MONTAUK:
SoulCycle is opening a Montauk location.

RESTAURANT NEWS
Do you love Ramen Noodles? Then you will love that Momi Ramen, of Miami, will open in the former Turtle Crossing spot on Pantigo Road, between East Hampton and Amagansett.

The former Highway Diner in East Hampton, will re-open as the Highway Restaurant & Bar at 290 Montauk Highway. More information to follow later…

Confirmed: Osteria Salina is taking over hotspot Georgica’s restaurant and lounge space at 108 Wainscott Stone Rd. Salina’s former home, at 95 School St. in Bridgehampton, will house a more casual bistro restaurant.

Sag Harbor’s Muse in the Harbor, at 16 Main St., will be opening an additional place….Muse at the End, in Montauk.

The NY POST wrote on 3/30 that Delmonico’s, at 268 Elm St., and Nammos Estiatorio Restaurant, at 135 Main St. — are shuttered. (WOW)

French bistro Le Charlot will enjoy its first summer in Southampton, at 36 Main St., formerly home to Barrister’s.

NEW RESTAURANT OPENING IN GREENPORT: American Beech Restaurant, Bar and Inn

THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK…STOP BACK NEXT WEEK FOR MORE NEWS AROUND TOWN…
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DAILY UPDATES…
HAMPTONS MOUTHPIECE FACEBOOK PAGE

 

Hamptons Eats: Winston’s is spicing up Nichol’s space

Winston’s will be opening March 22nd in the space formally known as Nichol’s in East Hampton. Winton Lyons the new owner and executive chef, previously worked at Turtle Bay Crossing, The Meeting House and most recently known for his talented culinary skills at the East Hampton Grill. Winston left the East Hampton Grill in 2013 and has been preparing to open up his own restaurant. The Theme will be seafood/steak with a Caribbean touch. Although Winston is Jamaican you will not find Caribbean dishes dominating the menu, however Sunday evenings will be Caribbean dinner night. Winston tells me that people from all over come rave about his steak, I am looking forward to tasting it. I asked Winston what will make Winston’s unique and he said his primarily focus will be on service, standard and quality of the food,  some signature dishes like Fried Lobster and Roasted Garlic Crabmeat.

Winston’s will be open BreakfastLunchDinner….Happy Hour Thursday-Sunday 5-7pm, bar menu and 2 for 1 drinks. Theme nights: Wednesday- Red Stripe & wings…Sunday’s: Caribbean Dinner

Address: 100 Montauk Hwy, East Hampton, NY 11937

I will share my experience with all of you as soon as they opening.

 

Hello June! And Hello Strawberry season!  Although the month of May is considered the “official” month of strawberries, I have always known June to host the freshest and ripest that our Long Island farms have to offer.  Now that we have welcomed June, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of this berry in the peak of its season.

The great thing about strawberries, deliciousness, aside, is how versatile they can be.  Strawberries can be integrated in such a variety of ways.  From drinks to desserts, the possibilities are almost endless!

A refreshing strawberry cocktail can makes for a fabulous summer drink. I’m not usually one to follow recipes, so I whipped up my own drink from home. Here is one to try. Muddle sliced strawberries with mint and a squeeze of both a lemon and lime.  Pour mixture into a champagne flute and top it off the some Prosecco or sparkling white wine.  Feeling more adventurous? Add a dash of St.Germain Elderflower liquor for a fantastic floral finish.  Replace the alcohol with tonic water for an equally as delicious virgin alternative.

Strawberries can be the star of the show in an entrée as well.  A strawberry/spinach salad conveys the flavors and textures of summer.  I recently tried a recipe made by a friend of mine and thought it a light and tasty dish; perfect for BBQ’s.  It was sweet, crunchy, and very satisfying! See her recipe below.

And in the summer celebration we can also celebrate strawberries and what better way to do so than at 60th Annual Mattituck Lions Annual Strawberry Festival,.  This year the festival will be held from June 12-15.  It is time for dessert!

If in attendance, expect to find a variety of yummy treats including chocolate dipped strawberries, daiquiris, and of course; strawberry shortcake. And incase you begin to feel that you’ve eaten so many strawberries you may just turn in to one; gyros, roasted corn, and funnel cake can be found for a little something different.

 

So here’s to the summer season, and the season of strawberries!

Strawberry Salad
1 bag baby spinach
5 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp chopped red onion
1/2 cup oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp poppy seeds
1 pint fresh strawberries
Mix spinach and sliced strawberries.  Mix rest of ingredients to make the dressing.  Pour over spinach and strawberries when ready to serve

Hamptons Eats: Hey there my Foodie Fans….Sag Harbor Food News Chatter..2014

As many of you are already aware Espresso has closed its doors for good what you did not know is the new owner is apparently an East Hampton local…Contrary to rumors circulating I am told this will not be a Vegetarian/Vegan cafe so everyone can take a deep breath and calm down. I have been told the new owner plans to open a Market Style with take-out Cafe, Brick-oven pizza, fresh healthy choices…moderate prices….Opening is slated for late April early May after much-needed renovations..

_DSC0270Page 63 rumor has that Chef James Carpentar  is coming to Sag Harbor. Chef Carpentar’s  resume includes East Hampton Point, Cittanova, the Living Room and Dellafeminas…a local celebrity chef…I hear that Page is also expanding with a marketplace of their own. Watch out Provisions you might just be getting some competition in Sag Harbor. Page might just be the talk of the Town this summer? There is a new Aquaponic growing system and grow room had 2 new additions. Over 250 of a variety of salad greens were planted.

Doppio the newcomer that bought last year’s popular Madison & Main Restaurant on Main Street in Sag Harbor looks like they are beginning their renovations. I was told when I visited the Huntington place that they were planning on opening in March; seems like that is not happening this month, maybe May. Madison & Main was incredibly busy last year, lets see if the new-comers can bring back that same vibe, but this year they will have some competition in the Harbor.

The biggest news however is B’Smith in Sag Harbor…It has been rumored that B’Smith’s in Sag Harbor  will not be opening their doors this summer. I remember when B’Smith’s opened in 1997, it was the place to be. African American’s who vacationed in the Hamptons would always choose B’Smith’s as the place to dine out. Dan,Barbara and their Managers have always supported the community and graciously offered their place to host a variety of community events. There is community chatter that a new Management team will be running the show this summer, according to Grub Street Richie Notar will be Opening HARLOW in Sag Harbor, a seafood Cuisine.  Richie Notar, the restaurateur who transitioned from his role as managing partner at Nobu two years ago to helm several new ventures, has taken over the waterfront space and plans to reopen in May as an East End outpost of his Lombardy Hotel restaurant Harlow. It is noted that Notar has also taken over the former Lenox Lounge space, which is rumored to be called Notar Jazz Lounge.

Will this be the Sag Harbor summer place to be? They do  have the BEST location in the Harbor. It is my hope that they will seek to have a relationship with the community and not just focus on the summer crowd.

The Nobu partner is also about to open a jazz club in Harlem.Photo: Patrick McMullan ..

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Hey Turto il Giorno fans I have been told that they are opening a new location in Tribeca, I have yet to eat at the Sag Harbor location, this is on my agenda for the Spring. I will share my experience with all of you once I do._DSC0014

Where will you be hanging this summer in the Harbor…I will be at the place that makes the BEST Watermelon Martini’s!!! watermelon-martini

Next week, Restaurant News in East Hampton/Montauk