(CHATHAM, N.Y.) – The Hudson Valley Bounty ‘Taste of’ Dinner will take place at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Monday, August 5, 2013, from 5 to 8 p.m. This marks the Hudson Valley Bounty’s (HVB) fifth year producing the popular fundraising event at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. The event returns to the fairgrounds this summer to commemorate its original founders and to continue to raise funds to support the community efforts of Hudson Valley Bounty.
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.
In addition to the founding participants, this year’s tasting dinner will 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, Jane’s Ice Cream, Sofregit, 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 and H.R. Zeppelin Chocolates.
“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.
“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.”
Sponsors this year include Ginsberg’s Foods, Valley Energy, Herrington’s Lumber, Wells Fargo Advisors, Hudson Catskill Newspapers, Mid-Hudson Cable, NY Air, The Red Lion Inn and Berkshire Grown with additional support from the City Child Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Hudson River Bank & Trust Company Foundation.
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 Hudson Valley Bounty’s (HVB) 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.
About The Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation (HVADC):
The HVADC is the region’s sole economic development agency with a specific focus on the viability of the agricultural economy in the Hudson Valley. It assists both new and existing agri-businesses such as farms, food businesses and food distributors, by providing technical and business consultation and resources. The non-profit promotes balanced, market-based solutions that lead to enhanced agricultural entrepreneurship, rural economic growth and community enhancement.