This Weekend: First Annual Boston Fish Pier Seafood Festival, Sat. Oct. 6

Announcing the first annual Boston Fish Pier Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 6. The Boston Fish Pier Seafood Festival is the official public kickoff of the non-profit, all volunteer Boston Fisheries Foundation, and will be the first all-seafood festival held in Boston. It will be a day of sensational seafood tastings, oyster and lobsters, clambakes and chef demos, educational events, and family fun. The event will be held, rain or shine, at the Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave, Boston and runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Participating chefs include:
Jose Duarte, Taranta
Rich Garcia, 606 Congress
Nicholas Calias, Colonnade Hotel
Michael Aprea, Red Parrot
Mark Allen, Pinebrook Country Club
Bill Bradley, New England Aquarium
Jay Murray, Grill 23
Basil Freddura, The Daily Catch

Tickets can be purchased www.savebostonfishpier.org, and at the door. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for students with valid ID. Children under 12 attend free.

For more information, visit www.bostonseafoodfestival.org

King Arthur Flour Kitchen: Making Sourdough Bread [Video]

 Videos courtesy of King Arthur Flour Company

Upcoming: 25th Anniversary of the Burke Fall Festival in Vermont

View event details

Fruit and Nut Platter From Room Service [Photo]

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Boston

As Seen On Twitter @FSBoston 
www.fourseasons.com/boston

This Weekend: Experience An Old-Fashioned Agricultural Exhibition at Old Sturbridge Village

Agriculture Exhibition

This Weekend, September 15-16, 2012: Step back in time and experience an old-fashioned agricultural exhibition at Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts. The event will feature demonstrations of early New England farm equipment and displays of Village-grown heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers. 

For more information, visit www.osv.org

"From early American times through today, the harvest season has been a staple of New England life. This video of harvest celebrations at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Mass., depicts a classic celebration of the harvest time." --OSV

Video courtesy of Old Sturbridge Village

Shawn Calley of Amuse at the Essex Resort & Spa, defended his title and won the 6th Annual Top Chef of the Champlain Valley

Video Courtesy of The Essex on YouTube

Shawn Calley of Amuse at the Essex Resort & Spa, defended his title and won the 6th Annual Top Chef of the Champlain Valley, to benefit CVAA's Meals on Wheels and Case Management Programs. The Top Chef of the Champlain Valley was held on August 6, 2012 at UVM's Davis Center. 

Michael Clauss of the Bluebird Tavern and Andrea Cousineau of the Bearded Frog competed with Shawn for the Top Chef title.

The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa

Best Burgers in Providence, Rhode Island

Video Courtesy of Go Providence on YouTube

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.goprovidence.com

 

Food Digest - Friday Bites

Taste of WGBH: Food & Wine Festival ~ September 13-15, 2012 Showcasing more than 100 wineries, local chefs, restaurants, and local artisanal foods, produce, and purveyors.

Celebrated chefs Emeril Lagasse & Jacques Pépin are the special guests at the upcoming Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival ~ September 21-23, 2012. Rosecliff, The Elms and Marble House will host more than 100 of the world's finest vintners and more than two dozen of New England's finest restaurants and caterers.

Get ready to dine around during the fall edition of Nantucket Restaurant Week on September 24-30, 2012. A Junior Chef competition will feature three teams from Nantucket High School Culinary Arts Program. Click here for participating restaurants and info.

Love to go apple picking? Massachusetts apple orchards are experiencing an early harvest according to reports from Mass Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR).

A myriad of events and activities are planned for the fourth annual Taste of Block Island ~ September 21-23, 2012. The festivities will include a free Baggo Tournament, farm tours, kayaking, antique cars, shopping and more.

Award-Winning Wines, Stunning Views at Nashoba Winery [Video]

Video courtesy of Mass Winery on YouTube

Food Digest - Friday Bites

Introducing Waffle Weekends at The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston | This September, All Month Long. 

Mark your calendar! Stowe Wine & Food Classic will be June 21-23, 2013 at Trapp Family Lodge in Vermont. 

Maine Huts & Trails - The final Guest Chef Night of 2012 is 9/22 

Harvest Dinner Cruise in Vermont: Celebrate the bounty of the harvest aboard the Spirit Of Ethan Allen III. Based on availability starting Sept. 3, 2012. Details and menu

Fall Harvest Wine Pairing Dinner - This event will take place at the Chopin Restaurant at Matterhorn Inn in Vermont, and will feature an internationally acclaimed surprise guest chef. Dinner will be served set to tone with the finest classical Chopin Music. 


 

From Cabot Cheese: Cooking with Grace Potter

Grace of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals band (from Vermont), get cooking with Cabot cheeses...

Apple Pepper Jelly Grilled Cheese

Hot Habanero Mexican Delight

Videos courtesy of Cabot Cheese on YouTube

www.cabotcheese.coop

Woodman's of Essex, Massachusetts - Birthplace of the Fried Clam

Video courtesy of Woodman's of Essex on YouTube

"Woodman's is located on the Clam Highway in the historic town of Essex, Massachusetts. Famous for their menu of lobsters, steamers, fried clams, onion rings and clam chowder - this classic New England clam shack is also known as the birthplace of the fried clam. Woodman's boasts of award-winning seafood as well as a large family that has maintained the business for over 95 years through hard work and determination. Woodman's, a Yankee tradition since 1914." --Woodman's of Essex

www.woodmans.com

Maple Glazed Sea Scallops [Video]

Video courtesy of The Balsams on YouTube

Executive Chef Josh Berry, at The Balsams Grand Resort Hotel in New Hampshire, demonstrates how to cook this famous dish, exactly the same way, he cooks it for guests.

Around New England: Food TV Roundup 8/21/2012

Recipes, Events, Food Stories...


A Taste of WGBH: Food & Wine Festival - September 13-15, 2012
As Seen On wgbh.org (Boston)

10 delish zucchini recipes 
As Seen On wtnh.com (Connecticut)

Sweet Potato Fries
As Seen On nhptv.org (New Hampshire)

Summer Lobster & Pasta Dish
As Seen On midcoast.wcsh6.com (Maine)

Delicious Green Smoothie
As Seen On wptz.com (Champlain Valley, Vermont)

The cool and refreshing cucumber
As Seen On abc6.com (Providence, Rhode Island)

GoProvidence.com Presents: Pan Roasted Scallop Salad with Waterman Grille

Video courtesy of GoProvidence on YouTube

Kevin DiLibero, Executive Chef of Waterman Grille in Providence, Rhode Island, prepares a pan roasted scallop salad.

Red Clover Inn Vermont - How to Prepare a Swordfish Loin

Red Clover Inn & Restaurant Head Chef Dennis Vieira demonstrates how to prepare a swordfish loin.

Video Courtesy of Red Clover Inn on YouTube

www.redcloverinn.com

Vermont Shelburne Vineyard [Video]

Video courtesy of Shelburne Vineyard on YouTube

Tasting Room & Tours: 

"Tour our wine making facility and learn the process of turning grapes into wine.  Our eco-friendly, shingle-styled winery building is a warm and welcoming destination with Vermont’s beautiful agricultural landscape as it’s backdrop.  It was built to meet strict “green building” and energy efficiency standards." --Shelburne Vineyard 

Website: http://shelburnevineyard.com

The Maine Lobster Lover Celebration is Here! [Video]

Governor Paul LePage has signed a proclamation declaring
August "Maine Lobster Month".

 Courtesy of Maine Lobster Promotion Council on YouTube

About This Video: 

Maine is having an abundant lobster harvest this season. The Maine Lobster Promotion Council encourages you to get out and show your love for Maine lobster, and support the local lobster industry.

Enjoy lobster at your favorite restaurant or plan a lobster bake at home with family and friends. Go to http://lobsterfrommaine.com to find out how you can join the Lobster Lover Celebration, and win great prizes.

Floating Island Classic Dessert - Brasserie JO at the Colonnade [Photo]

Courtesy of the Colonnade Hotel, Boston

5th Annual Tour de Farms Offers Great Food, Fun and Bicycling

Fantastic foods, amazing bicycling, and spectacular scenery are in store for all those who participate in the 5th Annual Tour de Farms! Scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2012 in Shoreham, Vermont. The Tour de Farms offers three loop rides (approx. 10, 25 and 30 miles) and a family-friendly five-mile walking or biking option. At frequent designated stops, family farmers will treat bicyclists and walkers to tasty samples of local foods such as apple cider, quiche, bread, roasted vegetables, yogurt, wine, maple syrup, and cookies.

Because the event is a tour and not a race, the pace is low key, allowing ample time to chat with farmers and relax with friends in the beautiful Champlain Valley. This year’s Tour is sponsored by Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness, City Market, Healthy Living, Cabot Creamery, the Lodge at Otter Creek, Vermont Sun,and the Addison County Regional Planning Commission. The Tour attracts approximately 600 bicyclists from Vermont, northeastern states, and Canada.

The Tour de Farms is co-organized by the Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), Rural Vermont, and the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and is a fundraiser for all three nonprofit groups.  Each year, the tour is enhanced by the addition of new features, such as NOFA-VT’s wood-fired pizza for sale and a stop at a quirky art gallery.  This year’s Tour will offer a handful of new farmers and food producers and three StoryWalk® choices for young children.  StoryWalk® offers the opportunity to read great children’s books while walking in beautiful, natural settings.

There is also a competition open to all who wish to make a short film about the 2012 Tour de Farms.

Participants can expect to sample from B Vineyard, Champlain Orchards, Danz Ahn Farm, Doolittle Farm, Golden Russet Farm, Lemon Fair Honeyworks, Millborne Farm, Misty Knoll Farms, Neshobe Farm, North Branch Farm & Gardens, Singing Cedars Farmstead, Solar Haven Farm, Stonewood Farm, Sunrise Gardens Greenhouse, Sylvan Shade Farm, Vermont Trade Winds Farm, Windfall Orchard, and the restaurant Tourterelle.

If you’re not interested in riding, but want to be involved, consider volunteering! Volunteers are needed to assist with various aspects of the Tour de Farms, including registration, parking, farmers’ helpers, photography, crowd control, and ride marshalling. In return for a three-hour time commitment, volunteers will receive a free Tour de Farms t-shirt. Those who get in touch early are more likely to secure assignments of personal interest.

At noon on September 16, Shoreham will kick off an AppleFest on the town green, complete with continuous live music, crafts, and a farmers’ market featuring a variety of delicious items for sale.  AppleFest continues until 5:00 pm and all proceeds benefit the Platt Memorial Library in Shoreham.

Advance registration fees for the Tour de Farms are: $28 for adults and $13 for kids 16 and under.  Day-of registration fees are $50 for adults and $20 for kids 16 and under. Children in trailers and bike seats ride free and don’t need to be registered.

Registration opens on August 1 at www.ruralvermont.org. All routes begin and end at the Shoreham Town Green. The 30-mile riders depart at 10:30 am, the 25-mile riders depart at 11:00 am, and the 10-mile riders depart at 11:30 am. For more information, contact the VT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition, www.vtbikeped.org (802) 225-8904 or Rural Vermont, www.ruralvermont.org (802) 223-7222.

Attitash Mountain Resort is Hosting BlueberryFEST on August 4, 2012

Attitash Mountain Resort will celebrate summer when it hosts the BlueberryFEST at its Bear Peak base area on Saturday, August 4 from 2 – 8 p.m. Attitash gets it name from the region’s Native American Abenaki word for blueberry and early August is generally when New Hampshire’s wild blueberries are in full bloom. The BlueberryFEST event will celebrate summer at Attitash Mountain Resort and feature a craft fair & farmer’s market, field games, bouncy house, live music, BBQ-style food, seasonal brews, and blueberry pie baking & pie-eating contests.

 

The Craft Fair & Farmer’s Market portion of the event is free to the public and vendors will be located in the Bear Peak base lodge. An admission purchase will be required to access the festival area for live music and other events. The festival area will also offer BBQ-style food and seasonal, berry brews from Moat Mountain Brewery, Tuckerman Brewing Company, Woodstock Brewery, Sea Dog, Samuel Adams, & White Mountain Distributors available for purchase.

 

Admission rates are Adults (21+) $12; Age 6-20 $7; Age 5 & Under free. Save $2 when you buy online before the event or by presenting a valid, summer operations ticket from Attitash Mountain Resort or Wildcat Mountain purchased Saturday, August 4. A valid form of ID is required to purchase alcohol.

 

Crafters, Farmers, and those interested in entering the Blueberry Pie Baking Contest should contact Attitash Mountain Resort Events Coordinator Corey Madden at 603-374-2615 or cmadden@attitash.com for more information.

 

Live Music at the Blueberry FEST will feature:

 

Al Shafner 2-3 p.m.

Enjoy classic covers from this local solo guitarist.

 

Livin' the Dream 3-5 p.m.

Dover, NH-based Livin’ The Dream always brings a solid performance of cover songs, ranging from top 40s to classic rock.

 

Adam Ezra Group 6-8 p.m.

The Adam Ezra Group puts passion in their performance of original songs and gets the crowd on their feet. Having toured with Rusted Root, The Avett Brothers, Jason Mraz, Deer Tick, The Goo Goo Dolls, Blues Traveler and many more, the Adam Ezra Group has graduated from the local Boston scene to the national level.

 

Visit www.attitash.com

 

Source: Attitash Mountain Resort

The Cliff House Resort & Spa is offering a special three-day, two-night Lobster Cruise package on Maine's Southern Coast

Lobster is the ultimate summer indulgence. Now The Cliff House Resort & Spa is offering a special three-day, two-night Lobster Cruise package.

This perfect summer getaway includes everything from ocean view lodging and classic steamed lobster dinner to a lobster boat tour on Maine’s dramatic coast.

A highlight of the package is a narrated cruise on the Finest Kind lobster boat – an Ogunquit favorite since 1956. This popular tour leaves from scenic Perkins Cove and hugs the coast, while the captain hauls traps and offers an up-close look at his catch.

The Lobster Cruise package includes full breakfast both days, and choice of entrée if you want to sample chef’s innovative take on downeast cuisine in lieu of lobster. From $418 per person based on double occupancy.

Just an hour north of Boston, the Cliff House has been welcoming summer guests since 1872. This year the Resort is celebrating its 140th Anniversary. Check out the anniversary specials where there’s even more lobster – including a five-course Lobster Tasting for Two! Visit www.cliffhousemaine.com

Harvest on the Harbor Food & Wine Festival, Portland Maine

Event: Harvest on the Harbor
Date: October 24-27, 2012
Venue: Oceanside Pavilion at the Ocean Gateway Pier (Portland, Maine)
Website: www.harvestontheharbor.com

Harvest on the Harbor features Maine's notable chefs, culinary competitions, over 160 food artisans, epicurean purveyors & Maine-made products.

American Cruise Lines - New England Islands [Video]

American Cruise Lines has introduced its Culinary Cruise Collection featuring a Lobsterbake Cruise in New England. The theme cruises are designed to place special emphasis on the trademark cuisine of the regions visited. Click here for cruise details and day to day itinerary.

Video courtesy of American Cruise Lines on YouTube

Boston's Chowderfest 2012

Over two thousand gallons of New England's signature dish, clam chowder, will be ladled out to thousands at Boston Boston City Hall Plaza on Sunday, July 1st from 11am to 6pm. A Fourth of July tradition in Boston, restaurants vie for the affections of attendees and the prestigious title of "Boston's Best Chowder."

The 31^st Annual Chowderfest will bring together the best clam chowder recipes from some of New England’s finest restaurants. Clancy’s of Dennisport will be defending their title against all newcomers.  Entertainment for this year includes Mike Hashem’s Dixieland Band. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12.

Chowderfest is just one of over 200 events taking place during the 31^st Annual Boston Harborfest. Free admission to over half the events makes the celebration accessible to all. 

For a detailed schedule or more information, visit www.bostonharborfest.com

 

Hood® Launches New England Creamery-Inspired Weekend Getaway Contest

Hood® Ice Cream has launched a contest inspired by the regionally-based flavors in its premium New England Creamery line.

From May through August, five New Englanders will be randomly selected at local grocery stores to win a weekend trip for two to one of five New England Creamery-inspired summer destinations, including Portland, ME; Cape Cod, MA; Burlington, VT; Newport, RI; and Mt. Washington, NH.

“Our New England Creamery line already offers the best of the region with its locally-based premium flavors,” said Sarah Barow, spokesperson for Hood. “This contest helps bring these flavors to life and is a great way for us to celebrate with our fans the areas that we all love in New England.”

Hood will be sampling its New England Creamery flavors in select local grocery stores from May through August.  To enter the contest, participants need to be spotted by a Hood representative holding a container of Hood New England Creamery ice cream near the Hood sampling tables in the freezer aisle. Winners will be randomly selected based over the next three months.

Available now, Hood recently added five new flavors to its New England Creamery line that contributed to the contest inspiration: Down East Double Fudge Brownie, Mt. Washington Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Colonial Chocolate Almond and Limited Edition Whoopie Pie (available in stores in June). These flavors, as well as Hood’s other ice cream products and novelties, are available in major grocery stores across New England.

To learn more about Hood, visit Hood.com or become at fan at Facebook.com/HPHood.

Spring at The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston - Introducing all new Spring Menus

Spring has sprung at The Bristol Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Executive Chef Brooke Vosika’s all new Spring Menu is bursting with flavour and colour, and incorporates the freshest local produce. The result? Crave-worthy dishes that dazzle the taste buds – and are as refreshingly brilliant as the season itself.

Among The Bristol Lounge's new hit dishes: Lunch starts with golden tomato gazpacho with Maine lobster; or watermelon salad with Greek yogurt sorbet, feta, mint and olive oil. Afterward, guests can dig into savoury sandwiches including and ahi tuna sandwich or short rib reuben. For seafood lovers, lemon sole is perfectly light and delicious.

For Dinner, diners will love grilled octopus and poached asparagus salad, followed by Monica’s homemade pastas including gorgeous blue crab agnolitti or green garlic gnocchi with spring vegetables. Or, adventurous diners can venture to East for the soon-to-be hit dish nasi goreng with fried rice, shrimp, scallops and house made sambol chili.

Dessert is always sweet with Executive Pastry Chef Tim Fonseca’s coconut mascarpone cheesecake with passion fruit poached pineapple; or heavenly fluffernutter with peanut butter mousse, toasted meringue and banana cake pop.

Beverage Director Ben Sweeney’s Spring Cocktail Menu features craft cocktails to please every palate. A glimpse at some of the new favourites:

• Local: Italian Ice with bully boy white whiskey from Boston, limoncello, housemade lemon shrub
• Fruity: Prickly Pear Margarita with Herradura Silver, prickly pear, Cointreau, lime, jalapeno sal
• Fizzy: Honey n' Bubbles with prosecco, grapefruit and honey syrup
• Aromatic: Cucumber Lavender Sour with Crop Cucumber vodka, ginger, lemon, lavender bitters

Beer lovers may prefer to sip one of The Bristol Lounge’s local draught beers. Or better yet, order the Beer Flights to try three brews at once.

For reservations for drinks, dining and conversation at any time of day, call 617 351 2037 or book online.

Tea & Tulips at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Event (Saturday, May 12, 2012)

Looking for a fantastic way to celebrate spring and Mother’s Day? Take a stroll through an amazing display of thousands of tulips at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Afterwards, enjoy a delightful afternoon tea in the Visitor Center, amid the beautiful surroundings.

On the Menu: Scones with Devonshire cream, tea sandwiches, and sweets, along with unending individual pots of tea.

For more information, visit http://www.mainegardens.org

Sugarbush Farm, Vermont [Video]

In this video, you will discover the beauty of Vermont during the four seasons at Sugarbush Farm, a 550 acre hillside farm located in central Vermont. 

Get an up-close look at how maple sap is collected and boiled into pure Vermont maple syrup. View how their cheeses are hand packaged for safe shipment and travel. Meet the 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation Luce family and make friends with the farm animals. Enjoy!

Video Courtesy of Sugarbush Farm on YouTube

Food Truck Festivals of New England [Video]

Click here for the 2012 Calendar 

Video Courtesy of FTFNE on YouTube

Dine around on Cape Cod

Courtesy of Cape Cod Chamber on YouTube

onCape.com Holding Scavenger Hunt Contest: Win a 2 Night Stay on Cape Cod & Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants

Are you longing for Cape Cod, its beauty, its beaches, its activities and its dining? You could win a weekend getaway by playing out The Great onCape.com Scavenger Hunt from now through March 2.

The winner(1) will receive a two-night stay at the Hampton Inn in West Yarmouth as well as two $100 gift cards to lunch or dinner out at Captain Scott’s restaurant and the Sandwich Taverna.

Go to onCape.com and click on the “Scavenger Hunt Contest” button to start your onCape adventure. Each contestant answers10 questions by looking around the onCape.com for the information. The winner will be drawn from the entries with the most correct answers and will be announced on March 7th.

“onCape.com is the Cape’s premiere digital concierge,” said Anne Brennan, assistant managing editor for digital media. “It is a website created by locals to help vacationers plan their trip from home and plan their fun when they arrive on Cape Cod.”

onCape.com offers extensive information about dining, lodging, activities and beaches. The beach guide includes information about the more than 100 salt and freshwater Cape Cod beaches, including video, photos, amenities, parking, cost and directions.

Looking for something to eat? There are restaurant listings and restaurant reviews by local journalists as well as customers. The activities section has listings and feature stories about local theater, music, and movie reviews as well as golf, boating and hiking and more.

Visit www.onCape.com

Virtually Vermont: Visit King Arthur Flour [Video]

Courtesy of King Arthur Flour on YouTube

Asparagus Festival at Verrill Farm on May 26, 2012

If you love asparagus, add the Asparagus Festival at Verrill Farm in Concord, MA to your calendar!

Chef Kevin Carey Preparing Grilled Asparagus

Event Features:

• A trip to the asparagus field lead, by Steve Verrill.
• Asparagus themed buffet lunch under tents at the stand.
• Cooking demo by Chef Kevin Carey.
• Includes a bunch of fresh Verrill Farm asparagus to take home.

The cost is $25.00 per person. Reservations required. Call 978.369.4494 by May 25.

For more information, visit www. http://www.verrillfarm.com

Chef Carey Preparing Lemon Caesar Dressing for Chilled Asparagus

Videos courtesy of Verrill Farm on YouTube. Watch more...