Food and Wine Festival Brings Thousands to Scarsdale
- Details
- Hits: 6034
Who doesn't like to eat? That's how one happy gourmand explained the amazing turnout for Scarsdale's first major festival on Sunday September 22. Though heavy rain and wind on Saturday night threatened to put a damper on the event, Sunday dawned bright, cool and clear as hundreds of volunteers and vendors set up for the large crowd that was expected that day. Prepared for any weather, the producers arranged for extensive tenting running the full length of Spencer Place, Boniface Circle and a good portion of Chase Road. The canopy was clear in portions to let in the light and the tents helped to shield the hundreds of food and wine purveyors from the elements. It disappeared as magically as it appeared leaving everyone wondering whether they had imagined this wonderful Sunday in Scarsdale.
No one could imagine how Scarsdale could accommodate thousand of visitors and their vehicles. How would they get here and where would they park? Furthermore, the Bronx River Parkway was closed for bicycle Sunday. Would that be an impediment to visitors or would bikers flock to the fair? However, the organizers arranged for drivers to park at numerous garages and parking lots where they were taken to the fair by shuttles that circled continuously. In fact, we didn't hear a single complaint about traffic and many locals decided to walk or bike to leave available spots to visitors.
We can't begin to quantify the variety of food and drink that was offered at the festival. Steak, sliders, salad, crostini, pizza, twinkies, ragout, pulled pork, pasta, chicken tikka, fresh oysters, paella and sushi were just some of the foods we saw and sampled as we paraded up and down the length of the tents. Both established restaurants and some just in the planning phases were on hand to meet potential customers and offer tastings from their menus.
While some ate, others purchased wine tickets and a glass to hang on a lanyard on their neck. The bacchanal on Boniface Circle was "adults only" as wine and beer were poured into partyers glasses.
And there was more than food and drink. Celebrity chefs David Burke and Rafael Palomino gave cooking demonstrations on the large stage that was constructed at the end of Spencer Place and East Parkway. There was an impressive array of cookbooks that one could purchase and have signed by the author. New products such as Skinny Eats salad dressing were demoed and distributed.
Other brands took the opportunity to simply hand out their products. We came home with a Polar soft drink and Dannon yogurt and would have taken more if we could carry it.
Visitors who had their fill of food and drink repaired to Chase Park for a live performance by the B Street Band – a Bruce Springstein look alike- who gave a first-rate rendition of the Boss's soundtrack. Kids did crafts, and grown-ups washed up at a beautiful booth from Meyers natural cleaning products.
Tired but exhilarated, Rich Baumer, who organized the event with his family said, "The overwhelming success of the SOWE festival, support from the community, and showcasing of four great charitable organizations, combined for a very special day in Scarsdale. Over 7,000 attendees enjoyed outstanding food, great weather, huge variety of wine and beer, fun music, chef demos and more. Over 100 merchants, sponsors and restaurants were busy all day distributing products, samples, prepared and packaged foods, coupons and special offers. As organizers, Casey, Stacey and I are thrilled that the months of hard work resulted in exceeding even our own high expectations. We are confident this will be the first of many similar events in Westchester County."
Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce President and former Mayor Carolyn Stevens said, "The Village government was incredible at working with us to make this a successful event. The police, firemen, sanitation workers and Village Manager's office were helpful and cooperative and planned a wonderful day. They problem-solved and worked cooperatively to pull it off. There were not traffic or safety issues and from the perspective of Scarsdale government it was a wonderful event. The Chamber of Commerce was pleased to see how many newcomers came to town to see what we offer. Hopefully they will return to eat, shop and use our professional services. "
Everyone we spoke to was awed and amazed at the breadth of the festival. Smiling and surprised they greeted neighbors they had not seen in years and sampled food from all over the county. One friend turned to me and said hopefully, "will they be doing this again next year?"
We don't know the answer to that question now, but based on our experience we certainly hope this becomes an annual event.
(Picutred at top, Event Producers Casey and Rich Baumer)
Thanks to the following for a fabuous event:
HOST
Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce
EVENT PRODUCERS
Baumer Ventures, Inc. & Imagine Party & Events
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PePe Infiniti
Journal News
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Container Store
Dannon
Viking
Wilson & Son Jewelers
GOLD SPONSORS
Morgan Stanley
Scarsdale Medical Group
WINE SPONSOR
Zachy’s
BEER SPONSOR
Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
Scarsdale Improvement Corporation
BEVERAGE SPONSORS
Polar Beverages
Bai Drinks
Vita Coco
SILVER SPONSORS
Fred Marcus Photography
GoCharge
Advocate Brokerage/Pure Insurance
Balducci
Big Green Egg
Cayman Islands Dept of Tourism
Coldwell Banker
Country Bank
DeCicco's
eTrade
Gaucho Grill
Houlihan Lawrence
JNJ Plumbing
John Boos
Julia B. Fee
Leafware
Mrs. Greens
Party Line Rentals
Red Oak Transportation
Sabra
Squeaky Wheel Promotion
Stew Leonard's
Total Entertainment
Verizon
Whole Foods
YogiBo
York Intl/Chubb
Empire City Casino
Douglas Elliman
Chef Johnson
Zoe Olive Oil
Scarsdale Dental Group
BRONZE SPONSORS
Aurora Nuts
Cabot Cheese
Edgeware
Mrs. Meyers
PIP Printing
Prudential Centennial
Restaurant Depot
Vitamin Shoppe
Eye Design
COPPER SPONSORS
Anolon
Fagor
Home Free Treats
Homerica Mortgage Corporation
Leicht
Lucy's
Med Foods
Nueske's
Pearle Vision
Plush Blow
Wusthof
Path Coffee
Present Food
Brooks Brothers
Seth Greenberg’s Brownie Crunch
PRODUCT DONATION
Alo Drinks
Badia Spice
Beanitos
Choice Organic Teas
Corkcicle
Crispy Green
In the Raw
Pretzel Crisps
Weleda
34 Degrees
Charles Vinacin
Food Should Taste Good
Germstar
Godiva
Skinny Pop
Soapy Soap
Sunsweet
Taza Chocolate
Oasis Day Spa
Barbara’s Cookies
Boylan Bottling
SBK Florist
Jerry Rose Florist
Skinny Eats
Michael Stars
CHARITIES
WhyHunger
Greyston Bakery
Don Bosco Community Center
Food Bank for Westchester
MEDIA PARTNERS
Hometown Media Group
News12/Cablevision
DailyMeal.com
WVOX
WFUV
The Loop
Westchester Family Magazine
WAG/Westchester County Business Journal
Epicurious.com
Scarsdale10583.com
Examiner Media
Food and Wine Festival in Scarsdale Village Today!
- Details
- Hits: 5341
It promises to be the biggest event ever hosted in Scarsdale so you don't want to miss the Southern Westchester Food and Wine Festival (SOWE) today in Scarsdale Village. Producer Rich Baumer is expecting up to 5,000 visitors to the Village and has lined up celebrity chefs, top cookbook authors, live music and more to entertain residents and our guests. Meet famed chefs like David Burk and Rafael Palomino, Sneaky Chef Missy Chase Lapine and Tanya Wenmen, Editor in Chief of Epicurious.com. Perhaps the biggest draw will be tastings from 70 top restaurants, caterers, and bakeries and over 200 award winning wines and craft brewed beers from around the world.
The event goes on rain or shine – though good weather is expected. In preparation tents will be erected on Chase Road and Spencer Place. Though tickets are required for the tastings, there is no admission fee so you can come enjoy the demonstrations, book signings and kids activities at no cost. Avoid lines on Sunday by purchasing tickets for the food, wine, beer and champagne tastings online now by clicking here. http://sowefwf.com/tickets/. You can pick up your will call tickets at the festival.
Those coming by car can park at a number of lots around the village and there will be free shuttle service to the festival. Check out the parking plans here. However, if you live nearby, consider walking or riding your bike to avoid the hassle of parking.
The full day of food and fun begins at 11 am and goes until 5 in the evening. Here's a complete schedule of events. Don't miss this one of a kind event:
Schedule of Events:
Chef Demos - sponsored by Viking, Dannon, and The Container Store
11:30 Nisa Lee
12:30 Rafael Palomino
1:30 David Burke
2:30 Stew Leonard's and Tri-State Epicurious Healthy Recipe Winners
3:30 Ken Arnone-Master Chef
Book Signings:
12:00 Dana Jacobi
1:00 Tanya Steel-Editor in Chief, Epicurious.com
1:45 Rafael Palomino
2:30 David Burke
3:30 Missy Chase Lapine- The Sneaky Chef
4:30 Ken Arnone- Master Chef
Music Stage:
11:00 DJ Zap Music
12:00 B Street band
2:00 DJ Zap Music
2:30 Joe D 'Urso and Stone Caravan
4:30 DJ Zap Music
Kids Zone: Activities throughout the day provided by Whole Foods, Stew Leonard's, Fun Craft, Total Entertainment, and Yogibo
Wine Seminar: Zachys is hosting world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino producer, Fanti, for a Brunello di Montalcino seminar. 1 - 2 PM $ 50.00
Wine Tastings: Wilson & Son Jewelers, Chase Road: Exclusive VIP Champagne tasting hosted by Wilson & Son Jewelers and Zachys from 12 - 5 PM $50.00
Vintology: Vintology Wine & Spirits teams up with Lange's of Scarsdale, Spencer Place, 12- 5 PM (included with your purchase of a wine & beer ticket)
Southern Westchester Food & Wine Festival supports the Food Bank for Westchester, WhyHunger, Don Bosco Community Center, and Greyston Bakery.
See you there today!
StartSmart Driver Safety Assembly
- Details
- Hits: 5530
StartSmart Driver Safety Assembly on Tuesday, September 16, 2013 from 7:30-8:30 pm in the SHS Auditorium. This brief, but impactful meeting will feature Jacy Good who was seriously injured, and whose parents both died, in a crash caused by a distracted driver on Jacy's college graduation day. For more information on Jacy and her Hang Up and Drive program, click here. For more information on the assembly and for new driver information from the PTA website, click here. All SHS Seniors who want a SHS Parking Permit for the 2013/14 school year must attend this assembly with a parent. All other students and parents are welcome too. This event is co-sponsored by SHS, the SHS PTA and SHS Youth Outreach workers. For questions, please contact Ronny Hersch.
Now Open in Scarsdale
- Details
- Hits: 9078
Vacant retail windows in Scarsdale are slowly coming back to life with two new openings on Spencer Place.
Lange's Deli has completed construction on their expansion next door where they have installed a large pizza oven and are now serving a wide variety of pizzzas as well as hot entrees. Table service is available in the spacious new space where you can order from a select Italian menu of chicken parmigiana or Francese, spaghetti with broccoli, or meatballs, penne a la vodka, or fried shrimp, all served with pasta. The restaus or dinners. They treated me to a slice of pizza with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella and I have been dreaming about a second slice ever since. Lange's is still in the process of printing menus and finalizing the décor, but you can stop in anytime for good eats.
Next door at 45 Spencer Place a new skincare boutique has joined the ranks of Space NK, Iris Nails, Merle Norman Cosmetics, SkinTheraP, Devra Bader, Salon de Lash and Completely Bare in Scarsdale Village. Have we forgotten anyone? I am sure we have.
The Cosmetic Boutique on Spencer Place has been beautifully outfitted to feature a large array of skincare products and make-up in the front and to offer a comfortable treatment room in the back. Billed as "an upscale facial and med spa" they provide a full line of beauty treatments including waxing, brow shaping, tanning, facials, peels, dermaplanning, collagen therapy and more. A doctor will soon be on hand to do injectibles. In addition to treatments, they sell make-up from top brands like Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier and Kevyn Aucoin and offer make-up services for special occasions like bar mitzvahs, proms and weddings as well as make-up lessons. This is the Cosmetic Boutiques third opening, following their locations in New Canaan and Chappaqua. Stop by and check it out. You are sure to be intrigued.
And speaking of skin care, here's an announcement from Skin TheraP on the bridge at 15 Popham Road in Scarsdale: Dawn Godwin, the owner and founder of Scarsdale Skincare which has been in Scarsdale Village for over 11 years has merged with Skin TheraP Medical Spa. Dawn will offer her clients medical grade facials treatments, laser hair removal, photofacials, coolsculpting, Ultherapy and more.
Swab a Cheek, Help Save a Life
- Details
- Hits: 3732
Congregation Kol Ami will take part in nationwide High Holy Days bone marrow registry program. This coming Yom Kippur is a special opportunity to help others by becoming a potential bone marrow or stem cell donor. Transplanted bone marrow and stem cells are used to treat leukemia, lymphoma and other serious blood-related diseases. Because the need for potential donors, particularly Jewish donors, is great, Congregation Kol Ami will take part in a nationwide, High Holy Days donor-recruitment drive by the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation. The foundation helps match donors to patients.
Joining the registry simply requires a cheek swab to collect cells and a quick health history evaluation. Eligible donors must be between the ages of 18 and 60 and in general good health. The drive will be on Yom Kippur day, September 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kol Ami's Petschek Gallery.
Of the more than 140,000 Americans diagnosed with a serious blood-related disease, some will need bone marrow transplants to survive. Finding a compatible donor whose bone marrow will not set off a cascade of potentially fatal complications is essential.
While nearly a third of these patients will be lucky enough to find a matching bone marrow donor within their own families, the rest—more than 7,000 per year--will need a transplant from a stranger. For many years, American Jews needing transplants faced a statistically uphill struggle. Because tissue types essential for matching donor to recipient are inherited and there were few Jews in the registry, the chance of finding a match was less than 5 percent. The Gift of Life helps find donors within Jewish communities, where the chances of a match are greatest.
"So many of us have family and friends who have been affected by blood-related cancers. This is our opportunity to help save the lives of those in need of a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant by joining the donor registry, "said Jane Friedberg executive director of Kol Ami.
If you would like to volunteer to help with this drive, please email Jane Friedberg at (914) 949-4717, Ext. 101, by email at [email protected] or at www.nykolami.com.
