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Tom Colicchio, Mario Batali Dig In at Locavore Dinner
By
Elisa Winter
Published Nov 4, 2008
Modified Nov 4, 2008
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By
Elisa Winter
Published Nov 4, 2008
Modified Nov 4, 2008
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Well, we now know why Tom Colicchio wasn't at the New York Taste event last night (as promised); he skipped the shindig to hang with fellow celeb chef Mario Batali at a private dinner at the Rockefeller Center rooftop garden. The event, put together by Absolut, was all about cooking with local ingredients grown on eco-friendly farms, and was hosted by chef Jim Denevan, who runs Outstanding in the Field, a "roving culinary adventure" that promotes the locavore lifestyle. Deborah Greig of East New York Farms in Brooklyn, and Michael Hurwitz, director of the GreenMarket, were also in the house.
The night started off with cocktails on the roof: Bloody Marys using heirlooms tomatoes from Queens Farm (Michael Grady Robertson); the other cocktail choice used berries picked in Central Park. The dinner was simple and delicious. Cranberry beans, tomatoes, and beets, all taking on a vibrant red color, were cooked to tender perfection. The pork was slightly sweet and incredibly juicy. The pumpkin tarts, on the other hand, were not too sweet and the sage added a unique, subtle flavor.
After the dinner, Michael Grady Robertson told everyone about the life of Appleonia, the pig they had just eaten, and was entirely emotional by the end. Bobby Watson spoke about the dedication and inspiration of his father, Abu Talib, who decided to buy a trashed-up lot in the Bronx and turn it into a garden 15 years ago. Jim Denevan was also incredibly emotional, and stressed that, "Not a lot of people are aware that food is produced in New York," and, "It's important for people to know the real story of food."
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