{{Editor’s Note: This post has been updated. Go here for the latest details- AG}
2019 Saratoga Wine & Food Festival Unites Progressive Chefs from Both Sides of the Atlantic; Photography, Sculpture and Music – October 4 – 5
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Saratoga Performing Arts Center announced that its reimagined Saratoga Wine and Food Festival will feature a collaboration between renowned regional chefs Kevin London, Dan Spitz and Michael Blake and international culinary talent including UK farm-to-table chefs Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen, NYC Executive Chef Diego Moya, and Aryurvedic expert Austin Peltier. Adding to the ambiance of the festival will be a sculpture garden presented by The Hyde Collection featuring works by artist John Van Alstine, considered one of America’s most important sculptors, in addition to live music curated by Caffè Lena, and photographic works of art created from compostables by Terri-Lynn Pellegri. Set around the Spa State Park reflecting pool, the festival is slated for October 4-5.
“The underlying ethos of this year’s festival is socially-conscious cultivation and consumption. Pairing in-demand international talent with our progressive regional chefs gives our community the opportunity to experience exquisite culinary artistry, incorporating local sustainable ingredients for a truly collaborative farm-to-table inspired event,” said Elizabeth Sobol, President & CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
New to 2019 festival is the “Forest Magic” Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner, curated by Kim Klopstock of Lily and the Rose in collaboration with John Sconzo of Rascal & Thorn and local progressive chefs Dan Spitz of Fat N Happy LLC, Yaddo’s head chef Michael Blake, and Kevin London, owner of Farmhouse Restaurant at Top of the World. Pairing the region’s top talent with national chefs Diego Moya, Executive Chef of Racines in NYC, rated one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2019 by Wine Enthusiast, and Austin Peltier, an expert on Ayurvedic cooking practices, the teams of two will each present a course that incorporates sustainable and locally sourced ingredients.
Highlighting the weekend destination event are farm-to-table chefs Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen from Britain who will utilize some of the best local produce for Friday’s VIP Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner and prepare canapés for the VIP Grand Tasting. Tim Spedding is recognized as one of the UK’s most exciting and influential young chefs. Together with his partner Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen, the pair plans to open their own restaurant and inn in the beautiful Cornwall countryside focusing on farm-to-table cuisine.
As part of the cultural celebration, the Grand Tasting will, for the first time, feature a sculpture garden curated by The Hyde Collection with pieces that align with the new festival vision by John Van Alstine. John is known for his outdoor and indoor sculptures and site specific installations, earning the artist a reputation as one of America’s most important sculptors.
“For the first time at the festival, our largest fundraiser to support SPAC’s educational programming, we are celebrating the incredible cultural organizations in the region with live music, a sculpture garden, gorgeous photography of compostables and much more. A special thanks to our partners for making this possible,” added Sobol.
Presented at the end of SPAC’s classical season, and for the first time during the fall harvest season, The Saratoga Wine and Food Festival will celebrate the bounty and talent of the region from the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks. Featuring fine wines, a new farm-to-table inspired dinner, art and performance, and gourmet food and wine tastings, the festival is SPAC’s largest fundraiser to support educational programming in the community, which has gone from serving 5,000 students to more than 38,000 students in three years.
Tickets to the festival are available online at spac.org, at the box office or by calling 518-584-9330.
FESTIVAL EVENTS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
NEW! Cultivate Series
See this post for details: https://12866blog.wordpress.com/2019/09/13/the-hunt-for-spacs-october-episode-1-cultivate-partners/
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
NEW! Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner | 6 –10 pm
An intimate farm-to-table inspired dinner in an enchanting “Forest Magic” setting, the evening will feature live entertainment, and exceptional locally sourced ingredients. Renowned regional chefs Dan Spitz, Michael Blake, and Kevin London, will be joined by national culinary talent including NYC Executive Chef Diego Moya, and Ayurvedic cooking expert Austin Peltier to present unique and collaborative courses.
The VIP Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner includes an exclusive pre-dinner event with high-end wines and canapés prepared by the UK’s most exciting and influential young chefs Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen.
6PM: VIP Farm-to-Table Dinner: $225
7PM: Farm-to-Table Harvest Dinner: $175
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
Grand Tasting | 11 am – 4 pm
The weekend’s signature event will celebrate the bounty of the region from the Hudson Valley to the Adirondacks with gourmet tastings, fine wines and local distillery and brewery tastings, asculpture garden curated by The Hyde Collection featuring works by John Van Alstine, photographic works of art created from compostables by Terri-Lynn Pellegri and musical performances curated by Caffè Lena.
The VIP Grand Tasting grants guests early access and features high-end wines and canapés prepared by the UK’s most exciting and influential young chefs, Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen, in an exclusive VIP Clubhouse tent.
11AM: VIP Grand Tasting, $175
12PM: Grand Tasting, $100
The 12866 