Last Saturday evening I attended the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne fundraiser event that had Bobby Flay as the guest honoree. The event featured more than 40 chefs who were on had to serve bites of their signature dishes. There was also a silent auction. The event was held out East under the big tents at the Wöllfer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack.
Wines were supplied by Wöllfer Estate, Champagne by Tattinger, beer from Belgium including Stella Artois, Leffe Blonde and Hoegaarden and cocktails by Tito’s vodka. Since it was a long drive back home I had to moderate the wine consumption and limited myself to glasses of Champagne and rosé
Tattinger Brut “La Francaise” NV (Champagne). My Champagne of the day.
2013 Wöllfer Estate Rosé (Long Island). Their “regular” rosé, Merlot based, light salmon pink in color with strawberry notes on the nose and fruit with moderate acids and was easy drinking.
2013 Wöllfer Estate Rosé “Grandioso” (Long Island). The base varietal Merlot was fermented in six-year old French oak barrels. Pale copper in color, earthier on the nose than the regular rose with notes of wildflowers and was tight and crisp.
Other wines from Wöllfer that were poured:
2011 Chardonnay
2012 Diosa Late Harvest Chardonnay
2011 Merlot
2011 Fatalis Fatum
2006 Grapes of Roth Merlot
Couldn’t drink a lot at the event but I could certainly eat plenty, signature dishes that I sampled and the Chefs that created them included:
Lindsay Autry: Deviled Crab with Summer Vegetable Slaw, Melba Toast and Hot Sauce.
Steven Deveraux Greene: Watermelon Gazpacho with Peekytoe Crab, Jalepeno, Coriander and Yuzu.
Chris Jaeckle: Tuna Crudo with Kizami Wasabi, Olives and Basil.
Brian Loiacono: Lettuce-Cucumber Gazpacho with Poached Langoustines, Pink Peppercorns and Cilantro.
Chad Brauze: Apricot-Fossil Farms Quail Ballontine with Paprikash Vinaigrette.
Todd Mitgang: Seared Black Bass with Sun Gold Tomatoes, Wild Arugula, Salsa Verde and Crispy Artichoke Leaves.
David Santos: Charred Portuguese Octopus with Cured Tomatoes, Olive Petals and Almond Foam.
Alex Guarnaschelli: Homemade Riccota Crostini with Heirloom Tomatoes, Flying Pigs Farm Bacon and Ancho Chile Salt.
Jason Hall: Crispy Suckling Pig Pressé with Farofa and Stone Fruit Mostarda.
James Carpenter: House-Cured Gravlax with Black River Caviar and Aquaponic Greens.
Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth: Blue Crab Waldorf Salad, Sliced Green Apple Wrapped Pecans, Grapes, Celery, Lemon and Blue Crab with Buttermilk Yogurt.
Hugh Magnum: Smoked Bone-In Beef Ribs with Chimichurri and Picked Ramp Raita.
John Greeley: Cherry Smoked Fossil Farms Duck with Rocket, Sweet Corn, Pine Island Onion-Ash, Salt and Barrel-Aged Pepper Sauce.
Coby Farrow: Scallop Crudo with Preserved Lemon Custard.
Shane McBride: Smoked Leg of Fossil Farms Lamb Hogie with Pickled Sweet Corn.
Rufino Rengifo: Za’atar Grilled Lamb Chops with Tabbouleh and Greek Yogurt.
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