Dale Stewart reports from Hudson.There was a palpable buzz in advance of the second annual Ramp Fest Hudson, and by all accounts (and palates) the event — held on Saturday, May 5 at the Basilica Hudson — surpassed expectations. Produced by Jeff Gimmel of Swoon Kitchenbar (pictured left, with gallerist Karen Davis) and stationery provocateur Alison Riley, Ramp Fest — a benefit for Glynwood — brought together Hudson Valley chefs and their NYC counterparts in a culinary homage to the beloved wild leek, and to spring itself. Foodies sampled a surfeit of inspired dishes such as slow-roasted beef brisket with ramp salsa verde from The Farmer's Wife in Ancramdale; chilled ramp bisque and ramp popovers from Café Le Perche; and a tangy ramp and lime sorbet from DA|BA. For food news hounds, Ramp Fest also served up dish of another kind; according to sources close to Zak Pelaccio (the restaurateur behind NYC hot spots Fatty 'Cue and Fatty Crab, and author of Eat with Your Hands), he and his wife/collaborator Jori Jayne Emde (aka Lady Jayne), who have a home in Old Chatham, are planning to open a yet-to-be-named spot off Warren Street later this year.
Mitchell, Hudson Alderman and attorney John Friedman, and Columbia-Greene Hospital Foundation's Betsy Gramkow; Myrto Daisy Schwab and Fest co-producer Alison Riley.
Music producer/musician Steve Durand, Dan McCabe, and musician Elvis Perkins; artist Carrie Waldman with Basilica co-owner, artist Bill Stone, and Waldman's son, Lucas.
Jeanne Taylor, Daniela Rapp, Michael Bradham, and Jonathan Poplack; Martin Kenner with Life Coach Nicole Vidor.
Attorney Ed Reisner, artist David Franck, and art consultant/food blogger Manda Weintraub;Casson Kennedy and Loaf's Sissy Onet.
Artist Abel Ramirez with Alderman/Hudson inn owner Chris Wagoner; Nicholas Nicoletti, Michael Williamson, Dan Renehan, and Lick Ice Cream's Christopher Haupert.
Brad and Amy Barr with sculptor Monica Mechling and graphic designer Robert Mechling; Peggy Anderson and Hudson Wine Merchant's Michael Albin.
Handpicked Nation's Tomiko Peirano and Katey Parker; Gabrielle and Robert Wile from Bergen County, NJ, planned their Hudson weekend around Ramp Fest.
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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
