About 1½ hours before Sunset Sensations was to take place, we had a thunderstorm, and what a storm! The sky opened up, there were thunders, there were lightnings, it was scary. Driving in the pouring rain to Locust Grove (I am one of the volunteers so had to show up for work) I could not help but wonder how many, if any, people will be showing up for the event. Would you believe it was a full house!
The event was moved indoor. Went well and on schedule.
Locust Grove’s Sunset Sensations August featured chef was Charles Fells (standing, center of photo) of The Artist’s Palate
Wine pairing was by Arlington Wine & Liquor (standing, right of photo, Joe Pellizzari of Arlington Wine)
(I still have not figured out how to take a decent indoor photo)
The first course was
Beet and Watermelon Gazpacho
Goat Cheese Black Pepper Crisp
Paired with
Casal Garcia Sparkling White
The second course was
Poached Faroe Island Salmon
Salad of Shaved Florence Fennel, Confetti Heirloom Tomatoes and White Spine Cucumber tossed with Parsley Vinaigrette
Paired with
Conti de Buscareto Verdicchio 2011
The third course was
Smoked Kurobuta Pork Loin
Summer Vegetable “Ratatouille” – Yellow Crook Neck Squash, Spanish Sweet Bullnose Peppers, Listada di Gandia Eggplant, Nothern White Garlic, Sante Shallots & Fresh Thyme
Paired with
Bogle Essential Red 2009
Wasn’t sure if I would like the Beet and Watermelon Gazpacho. Turned out to be deliciously refreshing and the beet was not overpowering, just the right note. Salmon was perfectly poached. Smoked kurobuta pork loin was sooooo tender, my favorite.
I am hoping chef Charles will share one or 2 (or perhaps 3) of the recipes.
Charles Fells, a native of Poughkeepsie, is the Co-Owner (with his wife Megan) and Executive Chef of The Artist’s Palate.
Right photo: Chefs Charles and Olivia Fells.
Photo courtesy of Lydia Higginson, Dutchess County Tourism
Opened in downtown Poughkeepsie April 2006, The Artist’s Palate offers a culinary adventure in a relaxed but contemporary setting. The restaurant’s bi-weekly menu (changing every 2 weeks) focuses on fresh seasonally available food.
I asked chef Charles what is the restaurant’s signature dish, without hesitation he answered: Maine Lobster Mac & Cheese. On the menu since opening day.
A unique feature of the restaurant is its committment to showcasing the best of up-and-coming local artists in a revolving exhibition.
Left photo: Chef Olivia in the kitchen busily supervising the kitchen staffs.
“Listen everyone,” says she, “I want everything to be perfect for Locust Grove’s August Sunset Sensations.”
Scheduled between the 2nd and 3rd course was a tour of the on site heritage vegetable garden. Fortunately the rain stopped so the tour went on as planned.
Susan MacAvery, Locust Grove’s horticulturist, explaining the layouts and plantings of the heritage vegetable garden to guests.
Two of the dedicated Sunset Sensations volunteers. My garden friend, Mary N, Mary’s Veggie Garden and her husband, Ed, http://softsolder.com/ in front of the Actinidia polygama, Silver Vine (kiwi) arbor on the grounds of Locust Grove.
The Artist’s Palate
307 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Tele: 1 845 483 8074
Arlington Wine
718 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Tele: 1 866 SAYWINE (729-9463)
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
Copyright © by Norma Chang. All Rights Reserved. Do not use/repost any photos and/or articles without permission.
Garden to Wok 
Hi Norma-I love the photo of the little chief in her own little chef whites-so cute!!
Hello GD,
She is really cute, I too love her little chef jacket.
I am so glad that the rain did not hinder this event Norma. It looks like it was quite the success. I’d love the recipe for the chilled soup; the colour looks incredible!
Hello Eva,
I asked chef Charles if he was willing to share recipe/s and he said no problem, will post as soon as I receive them. Hoping the soup is one of them.
It’s proving that more and more people are getting back into vegetable gardening and healthy living these days:)
Hello Annie,
Agree, more and more people are living healthier lifestyle.
What a wonderful experience and I’m glad rain didn’t mar your full house event. The food sounds great.
Hello Maureen,
All the dishes were delicious, wine pairings were right on, everyone had a wonderful time.
So nice that the event went off as planned. I’m trying to figure out the taste of the gazpacho…such an unusual combinations.
Hello Karen,
It was an unusual combinations but worked very well, you could definitely taste the beet but it was not overpowering.
I still think these events are amazing
I wish I could volunteer for a couple of them..seems like an interesting and educational experience
Hello Sawsan,
Locust Grove would be delighted to have you as a volunteer at Sunset Sensations. It is work but fun work.
This menu sounds delicious. But didn’t they give you any dessert?
Hello KC,
Nope, no dessert. Come to think of it, I don’t recall any of the chefs serving dessert, and I have been volunteering for a number of years.
I wouldn’t cross that chef. She looks like she could get real mean! Ha!
Another great event, Norma. I have to say, if I’d planned on attending, it would take a little more than thunderstorms to deter me from all of that good food.
Hello John,
She is a cutie.
I love these events, I get to meet the chefs and learn a thing or two from each, not to mention the variety of foods and wine I get to sample.
Chef Olivia has stolen the whole show!
The salmon is my favourite!
Hello Angie,
Oh yeah, Chef Olivia is a real cutie.
What a shame you couldn’t hold the event outside. At least the rain stopped so you could enjoy the tour. I love the look of the food, especially the vibrant colour of the soup xx
Hello Charlie,
Was able to hold The event on schedule and had full house, good thing. The color of the soup was vibrant.
Quite love the menu, and those who know me, would know I’d clap for the ‘no dessert’ [yup, spoilsport every time!]. And I would love to have that recipe also, please 🙂 ! [Have done and still am doing a lot of volunteering in my life: even tho’ one may go home tired, I don’ think I have ever felt I had been to work 😀 !
Hello Eha,
I am hoping chef Charles will send me the recipe.
It looks like Chef Olivia has everything under control. Sounds like a great event.
Hello Bam,
Oh yeah, she had everything under control. It is a fun event.
This is a very good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very accurate info… Many thanks for sharing this
one. A must read article!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment.