By Great Performances

This month we’re celebrating bell peppers. Now reaching their peak season, they are the perfect addition to your favorite summer—or early fall—dishes. They can be found in a rainbow of colors: red, orange, yellow, green and purple, and add both color and flavor to dishes. Peppers are low in calories and rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to a balanced and healthy diet. They’re also incredible versatile and can be roasted, sautéed, eaten raw, or added into your favorite cocktail.

For best results, store peppers in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and use within a week.

Enjoy our favorite pepper dishes at our venues and be sure to try our recipes below or check out the Katchkie Farm recipe archive.

Celebrate Bell Peppers at our Cafés

September 15-21

• THE NORM AT BROOKLYN MUSEUM

  • Red Pepper Bisque – peekytoe crab salad

By Sous Chef Jhonattan Jordan, Great Performances

Ingredients

• 8 red bell peppers

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 fresh or fresh frozen kaffir lime leaves

• 24 fl oz vegetable broth

• 8 oz coconut milk

• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (plus 6 nice leaves for garnish)

• 8 oz peekytoe crabmeat, cleaned with excess moisture squeezed out

• 1 lime for seasoning crab meat

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Procedure

1. In a large saucepan place red bell pepper, onion, kaffir lime leaves and minced garlic sauté on medium heat until tender.

2. Add vegetable broth, stirring well. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Transfer contents to a blender and puree until smooth. Run the soup through a strainer and stir in coconut milk. Taste for seasoning.

4. Pour soup into a container and refrigerate until chilled. Prepare 6 soup bowls and place in the refrigerator to chill.

5. Mix peekytoe crab with lime juice, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, salt and pepper. Place the 1 ounce of dressed peekytoe crab in each bowl, reserving remainder for garnish.

6. Divide chilled soup between the 6 chilled soup bowls with crab meat, and garnish with remaining crab. Top with a cilantro leaf and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

By Great Performances

This month, Celebrate Fashion, Film, Music, Literature and more at our Partner Venues.

Apollo Theater

Supreme Glamour: An Evening with Ms. Mary Wilson

Tuesday, September 17 at 7:30 pm

One night only – celebrate music icon Mary Wilson and the unforgettable fashions that chronicle the evolution of The Supremes.

Hear Mary Wilson, in conversation with WQXR’s Terrance McKnight, reminisce about the history of The Supremes, their hit songs and their glamorous gowns that defined an era of style. This event coincides with the publication of Ms. Wilson’s new book, Supreme Glamour. Get your tickets here.

Ta-Nehisi Coates in Conversation: The Water Dancer

Monday, September 23 at 7:00 pm

New York Times best-selling author Ta-Nehisi Coates returns to the Apollo stage to kick off the national book tour for his boldly imagined first novel, The Water Dancer. This in-depth conversation will be held with a very special surprise guest, to be announced the morning of the event. Get your tickets here.

ASIA SOCIETY

Fall Friday Leo Bar

Friday, September 13 at From 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Celebrate the fall exhibition openings and the return of Free Fridays. Be among the first to see Asia Society Museum’s new exhibitions at the first Friday Leo Bar of the season. Enjoy free admission, exhibition tours, drink specials and more! Learn more here.

JLF New York: Each Other’s Stories

Wednesday, September 18 from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Celebrating books, ideas, and dialogue, the Jaipur Literary Festival—described as “the greatest literary show on Earth”—returns to New York, featuring internationally acclaimed authors and thinkers in a range of provocative panels and debates. This year’s edition includes the launch of William Dalrymple’s latest book, The Anarchy, on the rise and significance of the East India Company. You can purchase your tickets and see the full lineup here.

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater: Legacy

Friday, September 13 – Saturday, September 14 at 7:30 pm

Join BAM for a shared evening featuring dancers cultivated and nurtured through Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet. Legacy is a collaboration of artists inspired by JUBILATION! Dance Company’s mission, established in Brooklyn during the 1980s and 90s. Learn more here.

N. K. Jemisin + Ijeoma Oluo

Tuesday, September 24 at 7:00 pm

Three-time Hugo Award winning author N. K. Jemisin and writer Ijeoma Oluo celebrate their respective paperback releases of How Long ’til Black Future Month?, a collection of short fiction about destruction, rebirth, and redemption, and So You Want to Talk about Race, a book for anyone who wants to talk about race, or doesn’t want to but knows we need to.

The two share the stage at BAM for an expansive discussion about the present and future of race and challenging the status quo of oppressive societies by imagining the experiences of the individuals who live within them. Learn more here.

Madonna: Madame X Tour

Tuesday, September 17 – Saturday, October 12 at 8:30 pm

Madonna kicks off a series of rare and special performances celebrating the release of her new album Madame X, giving fans an opportunity to see the artist in a uniquely intimate environment. Learn more here.

Brooklyn Museum

Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion

July 20, 2019 – January 5, 2020

Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion is the first New York retrospective in forty years to focus on the legendary couturier. Drawn primarily from Pierre Cardin’s archive, the exhibition traverses the designer’s decades-long career at the forefront of fashion invention.

Stop by The Norm at Brooklyn Museum before (or after) the exhibit for Maxim’s at The Norm, an homage to Pierre Cardin’s restaurant, Maxim’s de Paris. The menu features classic dishes from the Maxim’s de Paris cookbook and seasonal dishes inspired by the iconic restaurant.

dapperQ Presents Pursuit

Thursday, September 12 from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Kick off New York Fashion Week with dapperQ’s sixth annual queer fashion show. Mix and mingle at a happy hour sponsored by Henrietta Hudson, New York City’s longest-standing brick-and-mortar lesbian bar, and check out pop-up shops from some of the evening’s featured designers before the runway showcase. Learn more here.

Art History Happy Hour: Future Fashion

Thursday, September 12 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join the Brooklyn Museum for an evening of entertaining and informative lectures in honor of their special exhibition Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion. Drawing on Cardin’s legacy as an innovator, scholars and experts reflect on the history of fashion and imagine its future. Learn more here.

Film: Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records

Thursday, September 26 from 7:00 pm – 10:00pm

Catch the Brooklyn premiere of Rudeboy: The Story of Trojan Records (Nicolas Jack Davies, 2018, 85 min.). The documentary presents a visual and musical account of Trojan Records, the iconic Jamaican-British record label that introduced reggae, ska, and rocksteady music to a global audience. Followed by a Q&A with Don Letts and DJ set with a special guest from Trojan Records. Learn more here.

Caramoor

Rachel Podger, violin

Sunday, September 22 at 3:00 pm

Praised as “Britain’s finest period violinist” (BBC Music Magazine), Rachel Podger has injected new life into the Baroque tradition. See her perform live at Caramoor this month. Lean more here.

Anaïs Mitchell

Friday, September 27 at 8:00 pm

Named “one of the greatest songwriters of her generation” by NPR, Anaïs Mitchell brings her world of narrative folksong, poetry, and balladry to the intimate Music Room. Learn more here.

Dizzy’s

Lessons from Our Masters: Victor Lewis with the Josh Evans Quartet

Friday, September 6 at 7:30 pm

Legendary drummer and composer Victor Lewis is set to play alongside a group led by trumpeter Josh Evans, a rising star in the jazz scene who, despite his relatively young age, has also consistently been called on by modern icons like Christian McBride, Jackie McLean, Cedar Walton and Gregory Porter. Learn more here.

Jazztopad Festival: Aga Derlak Quintet

Wednesday, September 25 at 7:30 pm

The annual Jazztopad Festival at Dizzy’s Club is a must-see showcase for anyone interested in the world of jazz and improvised music. Created earlier this year, the band gathers experienced musicians from all around the world under the leadership of pianist and composer Aga Derlak. Derlak’s trio has earned international acclaim over the past few years, and her brand-new quintet is sure to turn some heads as well. Learn more here.

Juan Andrés Ospina Big Band

Monday, September 30 at 7:30 pm

Composer and bandleader Juan Andrés Ospina brings his Big Band back to Dizzy’s almost one year after blowing audiences away with his debut album release show. For this globally influenced project, Ospina has assembled a dream team of 26 New York City-based musicians hailing from 10 different countries. Join the fun at Dizzy’s Club to experience this soulful, larger-than-life, and beautifully cross-continental music. Learn more here.

Hauser and Wirth

Opening Reception

‘Personal Private Public’

Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00 pm

Hauser & Wirth invites you to the opening reception of ‘Personal Private Public,’ a group exhibition exploring the idea of the inner life in three main themes: introspection, intimacy, and voyeurism. Learn more here.

‘Amy Sherald. the heart of the matter…’

Tuesday September 10 at 6:00 pm

Amy Sherald debuts a suite of new paintings that reinforces the multiplicities of African-American life and invites viewers to reconsider commonly accepted notions of race and representation. The artist documents contemporary black experience through arresting, otherworldly paintings. Learn more here.

NY Art Book Fair

Thursday September 19 at 6:00 pm – Sunday, September 22 at 7:00 pm

Held at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, the 2019 NY Art Book Fair will host 353 exhibitors from 31 countries, including a broad range of artists and collectives, small presses, institutions, galleries, antiquarian booksellers, and distributors.

Visit Hauser & Wirth Publishers at booth G01 to discover titles that range from traditional exhibition catalogs to artists’ books as well as publications of primary source materials and collections of writings. Learn more here.

Jazz at Lincoln Center

The South African Songbook

September 12 – 14 at 8:00 pm

The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis kicks off Opening Weekend in Rose Theater with a musical celebration of South African democracy, 25 years after Apartheid’s end. A diverse group of top South African musicians will join the orchestra to perform essential South African music, with each song chosen by a guest performer and newly arranged for the show by the JLCO. Learn more here.

Wave Hill

Family Art Project: Herds, Schools and Bevys

Saturday, September 7 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Celebrate collaboration, community and power in numbers as we explore the many ways animals exist and work together in herds, schools, flocks, bevys and more. Create animal puppets, then join your Family Art Project neighbors for some group storytelling to help your puppets find their packs.

Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. Learn more here.

Annual Wave Hill Gardeners’ Party

Saturday, September 14 at 7:00 pm

Hosted by the Friends of Horticulture, the Gardeners’ Party celebrates the importance of plant nurseries to gardens. This year, the event honors Rosedale Nurseries and The Taylor Family.

Join us for cocktails in Wave Hill’s world-renowned gardens and take in spectacular views of the Hudson River and Palisades, followed by a seated dinner and a live auction by Christies. Purchase your tickets today and RSVP by Friday, September 6. Learn more here.

Wave Hill History Walk

Saturday, September 21 at 1:00 pm

Discover the fascinating history of Wave Hill’s architecture and landscape on a walk with a Wave Hill Garden Guide. Hear about the people who once called Wave Hill home, among them Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, Bashford Dean and Arturo Toscanini. Free with admission to the grounds. Learn more here.

Wellness: Autumnal Equinox Sun Salutations

Sunday, September 22 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Celebrate the sun with Sara Hart from iHart Lens. This energizing outdoor class consists of 108 salutes to the sun, a sacred number and symbolic tradition. Class moves indoors if it is raining. Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle and please be on time. Registration not required. Learn more here.

It’s been a hot summer and we’ve rounded up our favorite summer cocktails to help you—and your guests—beat the heat. Best of all, they’re equal parts easy and impressive.

Lemonade

A sweet, tart citrus blast, lemonade epitomizes summer. We’ve upped the game with the Fashionable Astronaut at The Norm. Created by Loriana Sanabria for our latest menu at Maxim’s at The Norm, it’s the perfect summer refresher. Fresh summer fruit like raspberries or, in this case, blackberries, punches up the color and the flavor of a traditional lemonade. To make Loriana’s version at home, add your concentrated blackberry lemonade base to a glass, add the ice cubes, and then slowly pour in chilled seltzer water to get the beautiful ombre effect.

For an adults-only version, add your favorite clear spirit (vodka, gin, or tequila will all work) after the blackberry lemonade and ice, then top with chilled seltzer. It’s sure to be a hit!

Batch Cocktails

Keep your guests hydrated throughout the party—without lifting a finger. Prepare a batch cocktail (also known as a punch or a pitcher cocktail) in advance and let your guests help themselves. Use clear beverage dispensers and layer in fruits, vegetables, and herbs to add color and flavor.

One cocktail we love right now is Loriana’s Tailor’s White Sangria on the Maxim’s at The Norm menu and an homage to Pierre Cardin’s job as a tailor at House of Dior. Two days before your event, mix white grape juice, pomegranate vodka, orange liqueur, honey, and pinot grigio. Add mint and let it steep, refrigerated. One day before your party, cut up strawberries, lemons, limes, and oranges and soak in pinot grigio.

When you’re ready to serve, combine everything in a large pitcher or dispenser and top with sparkling wine. The mint gives an underlying crisp, refreshing taste, and the sangria is just the right amount of boozy and sweet. Try it today at The Norm at Brooklyn Museum!

Popsicle Cocktails

Popsicles help guests beat the heat during outdoor parties—and they can serve double duty by keeping drinks chilled. You can add popsicles to everything from sparkling wines to vodka sodas to margaritas. Look for popsicle flavors that will complement your drinks. We’ve

paired sparkling wines pair beautifully with homemade mango, strawberry basil or watermelon mint popsicles.

By Chef Saul Bolton

When cooking at home, we often are more focused on the process and getting the food out in time than on the final presentation. Great Performances’ chef and Michelin-star winner Saul Bolton shares his tips for beautiful presentation.

1. Choose your plates. Before you even begin to cook, make sure you have the plates you’ll need on hand. Consider form, function, color and size. Make sure the plates are clean and ready to use.

2. Keep your work area clean. A clean area promotes clean plating. Make sure you clean your work area and you organize your prepared ingredients prior to plating.

3. Less is more. If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it. Choose a dish that will allow for a ½-inch border between the food and the plate. You want your plate to look full, but not overflowing. The white space will help frame your food.

4. Let your ingredients shine. Make sure not to cover up important ingredients; everything should be seen, even if it’s just peeking out.

5. Shoot for natural symmetry. Your dishes shouldn’t be overly precise and symmetrical. You want order, but natural order

6. Consider dimension. Try adding some extra height to your food by twirling pasta or zoodles so they mound in the plate. Allow foods to rest on each other, such as resting a piece of fish on some greens or on a root vegetable puree.

7. Invest in tools. Adding textures and shapes by using graters, zesters and squeeze bottles provide extra touches that can elevate the appearance of a dish.

8. Garnish wisely. Garnishes can add extra color and texture. Drizzles of oil, dollops of purees and circles of sauces add visual interest to a dish.

9. Clean again. Wipe your plates and serve. Your guests are sure to appreciate your efforts!

Image Credits: ©Georgi Richardson, ©Chip Klose, ©Amanda Gentile, ©Ben Hider

By Great Performances

We’re delighted to introduce Jon Ronsani as our new farmer at Katchkie Farm, our 60-acre organic farm in Columbia County, NY. A New York native, Jon brings nearly 15 years of Hudson Valley farming experience to Katchkie, including the stewardship of his own 45-acre Lineage Farm from 2011 to 2017.

“Jon’s love of farming is palpable and his background in small scale produce-oriented farming is the perfect fit for Katchkie,” notes Liz Neumark, the founder and CEO of Great Performances, who bought the then unfarmed land in 2006 and has been “growing” a farm on it  ever since. “His experience is also a great fit for The Sylvia Center, whose teaching garden on the farm he will oversee.  We look forward to Jon further integrating the farm’s yield into Great Performances’ kitchens by working closely with the culinary team to tailor the farm’s production to their always evolving menus.”*

About taking over the helm of Katchkie Farm, Ronsani enthuses, “It’s very gratifying to be working with someone like Liz, who is so emotionally invested in farming, and with the people at Great Performances in general, who are so passionate about what they do.”

A graduate of Bard College, Jon studied music performance with the goal of being a musician. After graduating from college, Jon Ronsani volunteered for Hudson, NY’s Threshold Farm’s CSA program where he discovered that his lifelong love of food gave him a deep-seated connection to farming. When his fellow volunteers returned to school that autumn, he was offered a full-time farming job that provided him with a diverse journeyman’s education in the business of farming from mechanics and marketing to soil nutrition and dealing with customers.

He started a CSA at his Lineage Farm, which he folded into Liberty Farm’s business when he joined that operation in the interests of more stability for his growing family in 2017. He and his wife, Jen, who is his farming partner, are the parents of two young boys.

By Great Performances

This month we’re celebrating tomatoes. Currently at their peak, tomatoes are a true sign of summer. From pastas to salads to soups, they serve as the perfect ingredient for your favorite summer dish; and with over 15,000 variations and multiple color varieties, tomatoes are not only delicious but extremely versatile. They are also loaded with vitamins and antioxidants such as lycopene, Vitamin A, C and K, which promote heart, immune and skin health.

Enjoy our favorite tomato dishes at our venues, and be sure to try our recipe below or check out the Katchkie Farm recipe archive.

Celebrate Tomatoes at our Cafés

August 12-18

• THE NORM AT BROOKLYN MUSEUM

  • Penne Pasta – cherry tomato pesto, parmesan

Yes! Tomato Tartine, Goat Cheese, Blueberry & Basil

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices sour dough

• 6 oz fresh local goat cheese

• 1 bunch fresh basil

• 1 ½ cups fresh blueberries

• 1 lb tomatoes

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 lemon

• 3 sprigs fresh thyme

• Olive oil

Procedure

1. Toast each slice of bread until golden brown. Gently rub each slice with the fresh garlic & fresh thyme sprigs, then brush lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and set aside in warm spot.

2. Slice the tomatoes into sizes you believe will sit nicely on top of the toast. Toss the tomatoes in a small bowl with a little olive oil, salt, & pepper. Set aside.

3. Spread each warm piece of toast with the fresh goat cheese. With your fingers gently tear the basil leaves into small pieces and press into goat cheese on toast.

4. Carefully distribute the tomatoes and blueberries. Season again with salt and pepper, garnish with basil and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve immediately

By Great Performances

Stargazing, live-music and a multi-Sensory Food Experience are Just some of the Exciting things Taking Place at Our Partner Venues this Month.

Apollo Theater

Apollo Uptown Hall: Harlem’s Culture – Past. Present. Future.

Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 pm

This Harlem Week edition of Apollo Uptown Hall gathers thought leaders from some of Harlem’s most influential arts organizations to celebrate milestone anniversaries in the arts community and discuss what role these cultural organizations will play in either preserving traditions or advancing change. Enjoy a live performance by the Marching Cobras Drumline and Danceline and sounds by Kool DJ Red Alert. RSVP for your free tickets here.

Brooklyn Academy of music

R&B Festival at MetroTech 2019

Third World

Thursday, August 8 at 12:00 pm

Longstanding reggae-fusion band Third World celebrates 45 years of sharing their music with the world. Mixing elements everything from R&B, funk, and pop, to rock, dancehall, and rap, Third World’s unique sound and uplifting spirit has earned them fans across the globe, and they’ve toured alongside musical legends including Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder and Santana. Learn more here.

Van Hunt / &More (Chill Moody & Donn T)

Thursday, August 15 at 12:00 pm

The Grammy-nominated Hunt brings his charisma, crafty songwriting and engaging live performance to the MetroTech stage. Donn T, Questlove’s sister, and rapper Chill Moody, who come together in the new hip-hop and R&B collective &More open. Learn more here.

Brooklyn Museum

Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion

July 20, 2019 – January 5, 2020

Pierre Cardin: Future Fashion is the first New York retrospective in forty years to focus on the legendary couturier. Drawn primarily from Pierre Cardin’s archive, the exhibition traverses the designer’s decades-long career at the forefront of fashion invention.

Stop by The Norm at Brooklyn Museum before (or after) the exhibit for Maxim’s at The Norm, an homage to Pierre Cardin’s restaurant, Maxim’s de Paris. The menu features classic dishes from the Maxim’s de Paris cookbook and seasonal dishes inspired by the iconic restaurant.

Pop-Up Performance: Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra

Sunday, August 18 from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Drop by Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra’s new series of intimate pop-up performances, highlighting members and featured musicians as the Orchestra in Residence activates our Beaux-Arts Court with a family-friendly range of classical music from across the globe. Learn more here.

Celebration: Happy Birthday, Marsha!

Thursday, August 22 from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Celebrate the life and legacy of activist Marsha P. Johnson with screenings of Happy Birthday, Marsha! (Sasha Wortzel and Tourmaline, 2018, 14 min.) and Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson (Michael Kasino, 2012, 54 min.). Afterwards, enjoy a champagne toast and cake to commemorate her 73rd birthday. Learn more here.

Dizzy’s

Sounds for Sculpture: Christian Tamburr Septet with special guest Clint Holmes

Friday, August 16 at 7:30 pm

Vibraphonist, bandleader and composer Christian Tamburr returns to Dizzy’s Club for the world premiere of his latest original project—a musical soundtrack to the works of famed sculptor Seward Johnson. Learn more here.

Trio da Paz and Friends, with Maucha Adnet, Harry Allen and Claudio Roditi

Saturday, August 24 at 7:30 pm

Keeping an unprecedented streak alive for the 12th consecutive year, Trio da Paz comes to Dizzy’s Club for a two-week summer residency. Formed in 1990 by three of Brazil’s most in-demand master musicians, Romero Lubambo, Nilson Matta and Duduka da Fonseca, Trio da Paz updates the infectious spirit of jazz-oriented Brazilian music. Learn more here.

Signature Theatre

Happy Hour

Tuesday, August 13 from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Signature Theatre is excited to host a happy hour for theatre industry assistants on Tuesday, August 13th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at the Signature Café + Bar. Discounted food and drinks will be available as well as the chance to enter your name in a special raffle. RSVP today.

Wave Hill

Sunset Wednesday: Bronx SalsaFest – Chino Pons and Grupo Irék

Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 pm

One of New York City’s quintessential Salsa groups, Chino Pons and Grupo Irék, launches SalsaFest at Wave Hill. Learn more here.

Twilight in the Garden thursdays

(Explore the garden through a customized nature program or experience the gardens through sound)

Sonic Experience – DJ Lightbolt Global Stereotype

Thursday, August 8 at 7:00 pm

Global Stereotype is a sonic journey of Outernational music. Multi-instrumentalist with a global headset DJ Lightbolt mashes up sounds from both hemispheres and all manner of contemporary fusion. Learn more here.

Full-Moon Nature Walk

Thursday, August 15 at 8:00 pm

Traverse Wave Hill’s garden and woodland paths under the light of the “Sturgeon Moon,” the last full moon of summer. Expert naturalist Mike Feller leads this after-hours adventure along woodland edges and pocket meadows where fireflies, moths and other insects rendezvous for some evening revelry. Learn more here.

Stargazing in the Garden

Thursday, August 22 from 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Prepare for an out-of-this-world experience with Irene Pease and a team of sidewalk astronomers. Learn what it takes to be an amateur astronomer in New York City, get oriented to the night sky, test out a telescope in the garden and observe the starry night high above Wave Hill. Learn more here.

By Carina Hayek

We’ve scoured social media, consulted clients and assessed articles to identify the top trends for weddings and events.

Vegetables are taking center stage. Vegetarian dishes are no longer an afterthought – more and more hosts are relying on plant-based dishes to feed all of their guests. From our Eggplant Chermoula with Cauliflower Couscous to our Za’atar Roasted Portobello Steak and Spring Roots, we’ve got a variety of tastes to satisfy even the most meat-loving guest.

Be sensitive to food sensitivities. People with food sensitivities should know which foods they can enjoy

and which they can’t. Consult with your planner to ensure you have a variety of dishes, including ones that are free of some or all of the eight major allergens (eggs, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, shellfish, and fish).

Source local, eat global. Locally sourced produce tastes better, helps preserve the environment, and contributes to the local economy. But that doesn’t mean our flavors need to remain local. We’re seeing hosts looking for an international experience from their hors d’oeuvres through their desserts. We use spices and cooking techniques from Asia, North and South America and Europe in dishes like our Pulled Chicken; King Trumpet Oyster Mushroom Carpaccio; and Five-Spice Beluga Lentils and Roast Butternut Squash; and Soft and Chewy S’mores.

Have fun with food. Finger foods, sharing plates and a unique spin on cocktails can help set a relaxed, fun tone for an event. Keep guests moving – and guessing – with a variety of hors oeuvres and snacks. From passed English Pea Blini to Pretzel Trees, providing guests with different food presentations can help make your event even more memorable. And don’t forget the cocktails! We kept our guests cool with these ice pops in sparkling wine, a refreshing and fun way to kick off an outdoor gala.

Waste not, want not. Whether you call it zero-waste, frond-to-root, or nose-to-tail cooking, it all boils down to using the entire ingredient. We call it tradition, cooking the way our grandparents cooked to ensure nothing was wasted. Look for dishes that incorporate some of the less-often used parts of plants like carrot tops, pea tendrils and kale stems. These are delicious, nutritious, and ensure we honor our ingredients.