Locust Grove’s Sunset Sensations October Featured Chef was Bruce Kazan of Main Course. Wine pairing again was by Arlington Wine & Liquor.
It was a beautiful October late afternoon/early evening. The cheese and first course were held on the lawn by the Heritage Vegetable garden where guest could take a stroll among the vegetables, bringing their food and wine with them. Both cooking demonstrations were held indoor in the Museum Pavilion (it gets dark much earlier now).
Cheese & Fruit Platter
This was a surprise generously provided by Chef Bruce, not part of the menu.
The Welcome (1st course) was
Caramelized Seckle Pear, Fig & Blue Cheese Tartine
Paired with
Millbrook Tocai Friulano 2011
The 1st Demonstration (2nd course) was
Whipped Butternut Squash & Ricotta
Sage & Cider Braised Chicken
Pickled Cranberries
Paired with
Entrefaux Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2010
The 2nd Demonstration (3rd course) was
Hudson Valley Duck Meatballs
Wild Hive Polenta
Just Picked Arugula
Paired with
Alvear Alange Ensamblaje 2009
A creative passion for food is the philosophy of Bruce Kazan (right photo), owner/chef of Main Course Caterers.
Main Course, a leader in the sustainable food movement, uses small Hudson Valley purveyors to provide the freshest local organic produce, free range poultry, line caught fish and hormone free meats.
With the bounty of the Hudson Valley as his inspiration, Chef Bruce creates unique, contemporary menus, reflecting the innovation and creativity that has become Main Course hallmark.
Main Course was the caterer for Walkway Over the Hudson, Starry Starry Night.
Hoping to post recipes for the above dishes next Friday.
Left to right: oakleaf lettuce, artichoke, sweet potatoes (Georgia jet, laceleaf, Frazier white & purple), parsnip, Forellenschluss lettuce, peppers, garlic, white carrots, orange carrots, (all harvested the day before)
(basket in back) onions and potatoes (previously harvested)
Instead of a tour of the Heritage Vegetable Garden, Locust Grove’s horticulturists Tim Steinhoff and Susan MacAvery held a Talk and Show of what is currently still growing in the garden and some root vegetables that were harvested previously
Right photo: The biggest Georgia Jet sweet potato, 4½ pounds.
Traditionally this would be the last Sunset Sensations for 2012, But this year, on Thursday, December 13, there will be a new Sunset Sensations For the Holidays.
At this special event, guest will enjoy a twilight tour of the mansion, decorated for the holidays. Stroll the grounds by candlelight to return to the Museum Pavilion for a sampling of holiday savories and sweets paired with fine wines, as well as cooking demonstrations and holiday entertaining tips by featured chef, Ed Kowalski of Crave Restaurant (chef Ed was Sunset Sensations June featured chef).
Main Course
175 Main Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
Phone: 845.255.2650
maincourse@maincoursecatering.com
Arlington Wine & Liquor
718 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: 1-866-SAYWINE (1-866-729-9463)
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Copyright © by Norma Chang. All Rights Reserved. Do not use/repost any photos and/or articles without permission.
Garden to Wok 
All I cam see is some very hearty and delicious food here 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hello Uru,
The food was really delicious.
Hi Norma,
I think I would have been in heaven with just the cheese and fruit platter…
Hello GD,
I think you would too. Sorry I did not get the name of the cheeses but they were all delicious and unique.
Fun, fun, fun. I’ll be the holiday walk will be amazing, too, with all the lights and decorations. Lovely food and am looking forward to the recipes. That is truly the largest sweet potato I’ve ever seen!
Hello B and B,
I am looking forward to the holiday event, the lights and decorations give the mansion and estate a magical feel.
Great place, great chef, great food. Looks like you are having a lot of fun there, Norma! Have a good weekend. 🙂
Hello Ray,
I had lots and lots of fun. A good weekend to you too.
I love that whipped butternut with ricotta!
That’s a giant sweet potato!
Hello Angie,
The whipped butternut with ricotta was creamy and delicious.
What a lovely event and the food looks wonderful. I love the table set-up in the cornucopia fashion, so bountiful! I’m looking forward to the recipes next week. Have a great weekend, Norma. I’m hoping to plant my garlic pots on Sunday.
Hello Eva,
It was really lovely and the food not only looked wonderful they all tasted fabulous, you would truly enjoy the event. Good Luck with your garlic.
I’ll take that cheese and fruit platter!
Hello YC,
It is all yours.
Another fantastic event, Norma. The food look so very delicious! So glad that the weather was cooperative, too. Around here, you just never know what to expect and many events are ruined becauae of a passing cold front earlier in the day. No such problems for you, though. Yay!
Hello John,
Yes, it was another fantastic event. I get calls/e-mails asking me to volunteer at these food related events and I try my best to rearrange my schedule so that I can attend, most of the time I get the opportunity to meet the chef. and always get to sample the foods, no complains here.
Seeing all that food has made me ravenous! Gorgeous!
Hello Asmita,
Everything is delicious, please help yourself.
What a feast! Have a super weekend. BAM
Hello Bam,
It was quite a spread and everything was so tasty.
What a food. I’d probably stick around the cheese plater. Such a choice 🙂
Hello Marta,
You would love the whole event, yes the cheese platter had quite a selection.
What a lovely event and it all looks very pretty xx
Hello Charlie,
It was a lovely event indeed, and the weather was beautiful.