We're delighted to share our latest digital cookbook, Cooking with Katchkie.
A collection of 10 mouthwatering recipes—from sides and dressings to main dishes—these dishes will make your summer gatherings and backyard barbecues pop.
Created by our culinary team, the recipes showcase condiments from the Katchkie Pantry, a line of house-made favorites crafted from grown and foraged produce. These condiments bring an extra layer of flavor to already delicious ingredients. We’re also sharing the recipes for the condiments themselves, so you can make them at home—or feel free to swap in your favorite store-bought versions and make them your own.
Enjoy the recipes, and let us know what you create—we’d love to see your photos!
And as always, we’re here to help you plan your next event, whether it’s at one of our stunning venues or in your own backyard.
🍴 Check out our cookbook below
Check out the recipes from our pantry
Explore what’s happening this month across the Bronx—from outdoor concerts and art festivals to family paddles and open mics. Scroll by venue to find your favorite neighborhood spots or discover somewhere new.
Al Quiñones Playground (NYC Parks)
Concert: Son Del Monte
Date: Friday, July 12
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Details: Led by veteran timbalero Manuel Rivera, Son Del Monte delivers high-energy salsa with a signature blend of charanga elegance and conjunto punch. A must-see for Latin music lovers.
Boogie Down Grind
Open Mic Wednesdays
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: Free for audience members
Location: 868 Hunts Point Ave, Bronx, NY 10474
Details: Join a vibrant weekly open mic featuring live music, spoken word, and more. Come to perform or enjoy the show while sipping on drinks and supporting local talent.
Bronx Brewery
Salsa Pa’ La Cultura: 2025 Live Concert Summer Series
Date: Friday, July 25
Time: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Band at 9:00 PM)
Cost: $16.50 – $31.00
Location: 856 E 136th St, Bronx, NY
Details: The Salsa Project and License to Love bring their summer concert series to the Bronx Brewery backyard. Expect top NYC salsa bands, DJs, dancing, and craft beer.
👉 Event & Tickets
Bronx Documentary Center (BDC)
Opening Reception: 8th Annual Latin American Foto Festival
Date: Thursday, July 10
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: BDC Annex, 364 E 151st St, Bronx, NY 10455
Details: This annual festival features powerful photography from emerging and established Latin American artists. Work will be exhibited across the South Bronx and beyond through August 3.
Bronx River Alliance
Bronx River City of Water Day Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 12
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Starlight Park, 1490 Sheridan Blvd, Bronx, NY 10459
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate our waterfront with arts, music, foraged teas, drumming, plant walks, and a climate justice paddle. Registration required for canoe activities.
👉 Event Info + Paddle Sign-Up
Guided Lake Paddle
Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Mitsubishi River Walk (Bronx Zoo)
Cost: Free (registration required)
Details: A calm, family-friendly canoe tour along the Bronx River. Includes paddling equipment and safety orientation.
👉 Register Here
Mott Haven Library (NYPL)
Author Talk: Myriam J. A. Chancy in Conversation
Date: Saturday, July 19
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: 321 E 140th St, Bronx, NY 10454
Cost: Free
Details: Meet award-winning author Myriam J. A. Chancy as she discusses her acclaimed novel Village Weavers and shares insights on writing and culture.
NYC Parks
Movies Under the Stars: Justice League vs. Teen Titans
Date: Wednesday, July 2
Time: 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Play Area in Willis Playground, Willis Ave, Bronx, NY 10454
Cost: Free
Details: Watch your favorite heroes take on supernatural villains in this animated adventure. Bring a blanket and enjoy family-friendly fun under the stars.
Note: Canceled in the event of severe weather. No glass or alcohol permitted.
Van Cortlandt Park
Outdoor Skills: Survival 101
Date: Sunday, July 13
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Van Cortlandt Park Nature Center
Cost: Free
Details: Learn essential survival skills like fire-making, shelter-building, and water sourcing in this Urban Park Rangers program. Great for adventurers and outdoor beginners alike.
Wave Hill
Sunset Wednesdays: Live Music on the Lawn
Dates: Wednesdays, July 9 – August 6
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Wave Hill Great Lawn
Cost: Premium admission in effect 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Details: Enjoy a picnic and stunning views of the Hudson while listening to live music performances in a relaxed garden setting.
This Month’s Feature: July 9 – Allison Miller
Wild at Night: Evening Nature Encounters
Dates: Fridays, July 11 – August 1
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cost: Registration encouraged
Details: Explore the nocturnal side of Wave Hill with programs focused on bats, fireflies, and other night creatures. For ages 12+, accompanied by an adult.
4th of July
Spend your holiday with us! We’re open 11 am to 8 pm on Friday, July 4. We’re collecting brief birthday messages to America: Visit our first-floor Smith Gallery and write a note telling us what your hopes are for the United States and our democracy. And don’t forget: We’ll be hosting a half-day of family activities for all ages, including old-fashioned ice-cream making and sing-alongs. Kids ages 17 and under get free admission!
New York Historical Summer
We’re celebrating the summer with live music during pay-as-you wish admission hours on Fridays, July 11, 18, and 25! Swing by our restaurant Clara for a special menu of select wine, beer, and cocktails; and hear old-school jazz starting at 5:30 pm from Michael Hashim’s trio.
West Side Fest
July 11 – 13
Join a three-day celebration with free admission to some of the best of the West Side at West Side Fest.
Poster House will be participating with a variety of activations, workshops and tours.
Sunset Wednesdays 2025
Wed, Jul 9–Aug 6 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Registration Encouraged
Wave Hill’s annual summer tradition is back, bringing five exciting performances Wednesday evenings to our Great Lawn! Pack a picnic and bring your favorite blanket or chair for an unforgettable summer evening as the sun sets over the Hudson. Delectable food and drinks also available for purchase. Premium admission is in effect from 4PM to 8PM each Sunset Wednesday.
Wild at Night: Evening Nature Encounters
Fri, Jul 11–Aug 1 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Registration Encouraged
After the sun sets, Wave Hill belongs to the creatures of the night. Bats, fireflies, katydids, and more emerge from their daytime slumber to animate the grounds far from human eyes and ears. The Garden is open late for all visitors until 8PM. Exclusive evening programs for ages 12 and older welcome with an adult.
AVP
Dates & Times
Saturday, July 19 – 6pm to 10pm ET
Doors Open at 5pm ET
Sunday, July 20 – 12pm to 4pm ET
Doors Open at 11am ET
Event Details
Week 6 of the 2025 League Season takes the AVP to the Big Apple.
Tickets for this iconic venue in Central Park are limited and on sale now.
Schedule of Play:
- Saturday, July 19th:
6pm – Austin Aces v New York Nitro – Women’s Match - 7pm – Austin Aces v New York Nitro – Men’s Match
- 8pm – Palm Beach Passion v San Diego Smash – Women’s Match
- 9pm – Palm Beach Passion v San Diego Smash – Men’s Match
Sunday, July 20th:
- 12pm – Palm Beach Passion v Austin Aces – Women’s Match
- 1pm – San Diego Smash v New York Nitro – Men’s Match
- 2pm – Palm Beach Passion v Austin Aces – Men’s Match
- 3pm – San Diego Smash v New York Nitro – Women’s Match
An inside look at this show-stopping celebration from the GP team
When we got the call that we’d be catering a Beyoncé-themed wedding weekend in New York City, we knew we were in for something special. And when Amanda DiUglio, our Senior Event Director and in-house wedding planning expert, heard about the couple’s choreographed first dance? “Pure excitement!” she recalls. “Once we heard of the choreographed first dance, we fell in love even more with the couple.”
The multi-day celebration was featured in Brides, and we were honored to be part of the magic. With events that spanned venues and vibes, the weekend was full of joy, glamour, and delicious moments — from personalized cocktails to creative service touches that made the couple’s vision come to life.
Personalized Touches and Signature Sips
From the custom Pink Pony cocktail to tray-passed hors d’oeuvres served on bespoke inserts featuring the couple’s logo, every detail of the catering experience was crafted to reflect their style and story. “They created a logo for the wedding and we were able to pull in little touches throughout the celebration,” Amanda notes. These thoughtful, personalized elements are part of what makes wedding catering not just memorable, but meaningful.
Seamless Collaboration Across Time Zones
With the couple living in England, collaboration was key — and working with planner Lauren was a dream. “Lauren is an exceptional planner and very collaborative in her approach,” says Amanda. “Since the couple lived in England, we worked hand in hand with her to make sure their vision came to life. So when the clients were in town, we were able to quickly and efficiently make decisions and bring it all together.”
That kind of trust and communication is what allows us to navigate the complexities of multi-day, multi-venue events — and to do it with grace and good humor.
Hospitality That Hits All the Right Notes
From the first moment to the final toast, our team was focused on warm, professional hospitality and impeccable service. While there wasn’t a major behind-the-scenes challenge to report — “the night was really smooth!” Amanda shared — it’s a testament to our planning, preparation, and partnership with the full vendor team.
We’re thrilled to see this extraordinary celebration spotlighted in Brides, and we’re so proud of the role Amanda and our team played in bringing it to life.
Planning @cherish.events
Photography @larisashorinaphotography
Couple @mattdavisnospace @cg261
Venue @thebordonelic
Florals @fernbotanica
Beauty @marcisaucedonyc
Catering @gpfood
Rentals @rentpatina @atlaspartyrentals
Ceremony musician @najahmoeser
Entertainment @elegantmusicgroup
Lighting @universallightandsound
Meet Jason: The Creative Mind Helping Great Performances Events Come to Life
At any Great Performances event, you’ll find beauty in the details—from thoughtful signage to imaginative food displays and custom design elements that transform spaces into immersive experiences. Behind much of that magic is Jason, a member of GP’s in-house design team. We sat down with him to talk about how his team brings events to life, what craftsmanship means in their work, and why collaboration is everything.
Tell us a bit about the design team—who you are and what you do at Great Performances.
GP’s design team is a group of creative individuals that work to help elevate Great Performances’ food, events, and venues through thoughtful and meaningful visuals. We provide events with a large breadth of brand and printed customization, as well as fun ideas to elevate the look and aesthetic of our food presentation when there isn’t another event designer involved.
How do you approach design for each event? What’s your starting point?
Every event is different, and that’s what makes them so fun! As such, the approach often varies as well. When we get an event brief, the first thing we like to do is have a kick-off meeting to make sure we’re all on the same page and have aligned goals and expectations. From there, we go through an ideation phase and try to define the overall feel and aesthetic behind the event. After the vision and mood boards are aligned, we define the design details and make sure all design elements are sorted and accounted for.
What about challenges? Are there any standout events where your team had to get especially creative?
We solve design challenges by dividing and conquering and playing to our strengths. Not everyone can be great at everything, so knowing who should take the lead on which parts of a project is crucial to our success.
How do you collaborate with the Event Directors, Event Producers, and clients?
We utilize forms to get notified about upcoming events and gather preliminary information. Following the initial “event design order,” we embark on a series of conversations—many in person—to capture continued event planning and changes. I find in-person or phone conversations to be so much more productive. There’s so much information that you can get through voice inflection and gestures that can’t be conveyed in an email.
What’s the creative exchange like with the chefs, floral designers, or venue teams? Can you walk us through a recent collaboration that brought a vision to life?
GrowNYC is a nonprofit providing essential sustainability services and opportunities to make NYC a greener city. At their gala this year, we were asked to build a farmer’s market stand that would display and provide the donated vegetables that guests were invited to take home at the end of the evening. It was beautifully photographed and perfectly conveyed the message and atmosphere we aimed to create: an inviting, plentiful, and authentic farmer’s market experience. What made it especially meaningful was the collaborative effort behind it. We were able to take our client’s idea and the beautiful produce of local farmers to create an abundant display of food that perfectly captured GrowNYC’s mission.
What does craftsmanship mean to you in the context of event design?
Craftsmanship means care, intention, and precision in the details—both big and small. It’s the collaboration of going beyond just making something look good; it’s about creating a thoughtful experience that feels unified and elevated from every angle. From fabricating custom pieces, designing signage, or finding a long enough extension cord—it shows up in the quality of execution and the impact it leaves not only on the client, but on the guests and staff.
How do you balance aesthetics with practicality, especially for large-scale or high-pressure events?
Balancing aesthetics with practicality means understanding limitations and knowing when to say no if something isn’t feasible, while always proposing alternative solutions to meet the vision halfway. At the end of the day, we feed people. Our designs must serve the function of getting food into people’s hands. If a design can’t do that, then it needs to be modified. Design must always serve function and work for the benefit of the food, the event, our chefs, and our guests. For large-scale or high-pressure events, we take time to review every detail, plan, and order extra materials to ensure that the overall experience exceeds everyone’s expectations. By thinking beyond just design and focusing on functionality, along with clear communication and collaboration, we ensure the event is a success.
How important are visuals—like sketches, mockups, or renderings—in your process and in telling the story of the event?
Incorporating visuals is a key component, as they clearly communicate how the result will look while ensuring all elements fit and harmonize within the space. They’re also a valuable tool during planning, making it easier to gather feedback from other teams and refine both the functionality and aesthetic of the overall design.
Do you work closely with the photographer or marketing team to capture your work? What kinds of photos make you proudest?
GP has an excellent internal marketing team that works tirelessly to go to and photograph as many of our events as possible, in addition to making sure those photos are of the highest quality. They make sure we have an online presence that visually tells GP’s story and showcases the incredible and vast catalog of events and venues that all of GP’s teams work so hard to create.
How does your team embody the values of Great Performances—creativity, sustainability, and excellence?
Our team brings events to life with creative, thoughtful ideas that leave a lasting wow factor as we stay up-to-date with current trends and personalization. Sustainability is always on our minds, whether it’s choosing eco-friendly materials, reusing elements from past events, or using our scrap paper as sketching and writing materials. We strive for excellence—always thinking about the details and making sure every piece feels intentional and well-executed. We want the work to feel not just beautiful, but meaningful.
What makes the GP design experience different from what clients might find elsewhere?
Our level of collaboration, creativity, and care we bring to every detail is different from the rest. We design beyond looks—we think about the impact, flow, and functionality. Our team works closely with clients and other departments to understand their vision, then brings it to life in a way that feels thoughtful and specifically curated for them.
What do clients most appreciate about the design team’s contributions to their events?
Our clients know that when they hire GP, they will get great food and great service. People love beautiful things, and I think that our clients really appreciate when we can deliver something that is highly visual, impactful, and interesting on top of what they know they are already going to get when working with Great Performances.
What’s inspiring you and your team these days? Are there any new trends or materials that have caught your attention?
I’m very excited about 3D printing and the world of opportunities that that technology unlocks. In addition, the design industry is making so many huge strides in sustainable materials and how to manufacture them in more responsible ways.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about what goes into exceptional event design?
We wish more people understood how much thought, teamwork, and time go into event design. It’s more than making things look pretty—we are carefully planning, refining, and collaborating behind the scenes. Food and station designs take a lot of time and attention to detail to make sure they not only taste amazing but also look beautiful, fit the theme, and are functional. Every detail is thought out and intentional.
Is there an upcoming project you’re especially excited about?
We’re really excited about some of our upcoming holiday parties. It’s an annual event for most companies, but this year we’ll be choosing new themes and finding ways to bring fresh energy and creativity. The projects will involve collaboration with many vendors and include lots of interactive features designed to engage guests of all ages, making it a fun and memorable experience for everyone.
Stay tuned to see more of Jason’s work at upcoming events, or follow along on our blog and social media to catch the latest behind-the-scenes stories from the Great Performances team.
Each summer, as Katchkie Farm comes into full bloom, we find ourselves asking the same question: how can we hold on to these fleeting flavors just a little longer?
The Katchkie Pantry is our answer.
It’s a collection of handcrafted condiments—each one made with ingredients grown or foraged with care, and preserved using timeless techniques like drying, confiting, fermenting, infusing, and simmering. These recipes reflect our deep connection to the land, our chefs’ creativity, and our belief that a single jar can carry a season’s worth of intention.
Some of these—like our beloved Katchkie Ketchup and Basil Salt—have been with us for years, gracing our cafés and gifting tables. Others, like Ramp Hot Sauce and Garlic Scape Marinade, are newer additions, born of collaboration and culinary curiosity. And our Bronx BBQ Sauce, adapted from a long-standing GP recipe, is a flavorful tribute to our current home in the Bronx.
We’re thrilled to share these recipes with you, and invite you to make them your own. Whether you’re bottling a sauce for your next gathering, sprinkling basil salt on roasted vegetables, or simply browsing for inspiration, we hope the Katchkie Pantry brings a taste of summer to your table.
🍴 Check out our cookbook:
👉 Cooking with Katchkie
Includes even more recipes that showcase these condiments in action.
Explore the Katchkie Pantry
Every summer, our basil grows in vibrant, fragrant abundance at Katchkie Farm. One of our favorite ways to preserve it is also one of the simplest: Basil Salt. This aromatic blend of dried basil and flaky salt is a finishing touch that transforms everything from eggs and tomatoes to grilled meats and cocktails.
Over the years, we’ve created variations with other herbs—thyme, rosemary, even lemon verbena—and gifted them to guests, clients, and friends. But basil remains our classic. It’s the essence of summer in a pinch, and a beautiful reminder that preservation doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
Basil Salt is part of the Katchkie Pantry—a collection of handcrafted condiments made with ingredients grown or foraged with care, and preserved with purpose.
Basil Salt
Yield: Approximately 1.5 oz per batch (3 Tbsp salt + 1 tsp dried basil)
Ingredients
3 Tbsp salt
1 tsp dried basil
Ratio: 90% salt / 10% dried herb by volume. Multiply as needed.
Procedure
- If drying your own basil: bundle fresh basil and hang it upside down in a warm, dry place with good airflow. Once completely dry, crumble the leaves finely.
- Combine 3 parts salt with 1 part dried basil and mix well.
- Store in an airtight container.
Suggestions for Use
Sprinkle over sliced tomatoes, roasted vegetables, popcorn, or avocado toast. Use as a rub for grilled meats, or finish baked goods like shortbread or fruity desserts with a savory twist. Explore more pairings in our Cooking with Katchkie cookbook!
Explore Other Recipes in this Collection
Garlic scapes—those vibrant green stalks that curl from the tops of garlic bulbs—are one of early summer’s most unique and flavorful offerings. At Katchkie Farm, we harvest them in abundance for just a short window each year. Their bold, fresh flavor makes them perfect for preserving, and this rich, savory marinade is one of our favorite ways to capture that intensity.
This recipe layers two preparations—Garlic Scape Confit and Smoked Garlic Scape Vinegar—into a deeply flavorful base that adds depth to grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and grain bowls. It’s one of the more complex condiments in the Katchkie Pantry, showcasing how preservation methods like confiting and infusion can turn a short-lived ingredient into something that lasts all season long.
Garlic Scape Marinade
Yield: 2½ cups
Ingredients
2 Tbsp brown sugar
4 tsp salt
Procedure
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Suggestions for Use
Use this marinade on grilled chicken, seared tofu, roasted potatoes, or brushed over mushrooms before roasting. It’s also a great way to dress up a simple grain salad. Find more seasonal ideas in our Cooking with Katchkie cookbook!
Explore Other Recipes in this Collection
Smoked Garlic Scape Vinegar is a bold, tangy infusion that captures the complexity of early summer and the warmth of an open flame. Made by charring garlic scapes over wood smoke, then steeping them in white vinegar, this ingredient adds depth and character to dressings, sauces, and marinades—especially our signature Garlic Scape Marinade.
This vinegar is a unique example of how preservation can elevate even the most fleeting ingredients. It’s part of the Katchkie Pantry, our collection of handcrafted condiments that celebrate the season and preserve it with purpose.
Smoked Garlic Scape Vinegar
Yield: 1 gallon
Ingredients
1 lb garlic scapes
1 gallon distilled white vinegar
Supplies
Wood chips for smoking
Charcoal grill & charcoal
Procedure
- Prepare the charcoal and add wood chips to generate smoke.
- Place garlic scapes on the grill and char until fully cooked and infused with smoky flavor.
- Transfer charred scapes to a large airtight container and cover with vinegar, making sure scapes are fully submerged.
- Seal and store in a cool, dark place for 6 months before using.
Suggestions for Use
Use in vinaigrettes, marinades, or anywhere you want to add smoky acidity. Try it in our Garlic Scape Marinade, or discover more seasonal inspiration in our Cooking with Katchkie cookbook!
Explore Other Recipes in this Collection
Garlic scapes don’t just bring flavor—they bring presence. This garlic scape confit turns early summer’s most striking ingredient into a velvety, deeply aromatic base that’s perfect for marinades, spreads, dressings, or simply smeared on toast. At Katchkie Farm, we harvest garlic scapes in early summer and use confiting—a slow, low-heat preservation method—to hold on to their flavor well beyond the season.
This confit is also a key ingredient in our Garlic Scape Marinade, part of the Katchkie Pantry—a collection of handcrafted condiments made with care, rooted in tradition, and preserved with purpose.
Garlic Scape Confit
Yield: 2 cups
Ingredients
2 c fresh garlic scapes, roughly chopped
1 c olive oil
2 bay leaves
½ tsp whole black peppercorns
½ tsp thyme leaves
Procedure
- Place the chopped garlic scapes in an ovenproof baking dish.
- Add all remaining ingredients. Cover tightly with foil or a fitted oven-safe lid.
- Bake at 200°F for 2 hours.
- Let cool, then transfer to a lidded jar or other airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
Suggestions for Use
Blend into marinades or dressings, spoon over roasted vegetables, or mix into softened butter for a garlicky spread. Try it in our Garlic Scape Marinade or explore more ideas in our Cooking with Katchkie cookbook!
Explore Other Recipes in this Collection