It was a quintessential summer 2009 party: the sun was shining one minute and then rain was pouring down the next. The guests passed effortlessly from Amy Goldman's beautiful Rhinebeck garden—where she grows her world-famous collection of melons and tomatoes—to the tent where Laura Pensiero, the genius chef behind Rhinebeck's GIgi Trattoria and GIgi Market in Red Hook, was signing copies of her new cookbook, Hudson Valley Mediterranean. The book includes not only recipes that rely on seasonal ingredients, but also a wonderful source list of local purveyors such as Wild Hive in Clinton Corners and Migliorelli Farm in Tivoli. The hors d'oeuvres included bite size sliders, Mr. Mink's Panzanella, and a colorful, refreshing Watermelon & Fennel Salad from the book, a signed copy of which was given to every guest as a party favor.
Mary Ellen O'Neill, the editorial director for cookbooks at William Morrow, rides a hay wagon from the parking area to the party in the gardens behind the main house; hostess and tomato expert Amy Goldman with John Habich.
Chef, restaurateur and author Laura Pensiero with her niece Jean Vilkelis.
Jane Biezynkai of Northwind Farms in Tivoli, which supplies meats to Gigi, and Edward Guski of Gigi's Marketplace in Red Hook; Rhinebeck stockbrokers Peter Santoro and Cornelius Dutoit of Blue Vase Securities, whose offices are beind Gigi's.
Cheesemaker Lisa Schwartz of Rainbeau Ridge with Valley Table's Janet Crawshaw and Jerry Novesky; Rick Duro & Tavia Kowalchuk.
Aida Wilder, Claire Lobo, Stephanie Long, and Amy Ahlberg.
Serine Hastings and Maureen Missner of Paper Trail, the extraordinary stationery store in Rhinebeck; Julian Hagood, Gigi's chef Wilson Costa and Nadia Costa.
John & Jeannie Garlands.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
