Lisa Green reports from Chatham.What began in 2006 as a matchmaking service between Hudson Valley small farms and chefs has flourished as farmers and eateries have created partnerships on their own. This successful farm-to-table pairing was on full, and delicious, display at the Taste of Hudson Valley Bounty Dinner on Monday, August 6 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. More than 25 restaurants, caterers, markets, wineries, and cheese makers showcased their specialties made with local ingredients. According to Todd Erling, executive director of the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation, and the original matchmaker (pictured above with Kristin Roca, program director for Hudson Valley Bounty), the event has grown in participation and attendance every year. Guests circled the room to taste the fresh, fine food of the Hudson Valley. Wine and beer tastings were tempered by the abundant selection of hors d’oeuvres, mini main courses and, of course, desserts. How fortunate that Noble Pies was but a few steps from Jane’s Ice Cream, where tantalizing flavors such as Killer Chocolate, Salty Caramel Pretzel, Cappuccino Kahlua Calypso, and Coconut Almond Joy made pie a la mode —Hudson Valley-style —a naturally sweet finish to a hunger-and-soul-satisfying spread.
Local 111's Michelle Pelkey, Josephine Proul, and executive chef Zach O’Neil; Gigi Hudson Valley's Laura Pensiero and Wilson Costa.
Tousey Winery'sKimberly Peacock; The Red Lion Inn's chef Brian Alberg with daughter Grace.
The Crimson Sparrow's chefs and owners Ben Freemole and John McCarthy flank sous chef Jon Cole.
Joan Kadin and Barbara Oliner; 4-H Choose Health Action Teens'Rachel Fay (student) and Linda Trip.
Bonnie Tedder and Ron Samascott; Hudson-Chatham Winery'sDominique De Vito.
The Tavern at Beekman Arms'Chip Preston Faust; Georgia Ray’s Catering Fine Foods'Chef Danyell Ray and Karen Van Alstyne.
Michele Carr, Tim Carr, David Dellgrottaglia, and Wendy Dellgrottaglia.
CrossRoads Food Shop's chef/owner David Wurth and baker Jill Jakimetz; Jeff Lick and Stissing House Restaurant's chef/owner Michel Jean.
Helsinki Hudson'sSean Elliott and Hugh Horner serve Jim Gibbons; Elaine Berlin and Jake Samascott enjoyed the desserts.
County Clerk Holly Tanner with Mary Jo Gibson, wife of Congressman Chris Gibson; American Glory BBQ proprietor Joe Fierro, flanked by Sandra Santana and Amanda Hernandez, whom he called his angels.
Todd Erling, executive director of the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation, and Blue Plate's Judy Grunberg; Valentino Romero and Nina Hill.
Dan Paluzka of Monkshood Nursery's and Severine von Tscharner Fleming of Smithereen Farm, representing The Greenhorns.
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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
