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Food and Wine Festival

Westchester is Fall Festive: Upcoming Events

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visit-westchesterFeaturing Live Jazz, a Crafts Show, Food and Wine Festival, Triathlon and Prestigious Equestrian Event

As summer draws to an end, a new wave of festivities awaits in Westchester County, the first stop in the Lower Hudson Valley. From exciting competitions and outdoor family fun to craft fairs and music festivals, Westchester has so much to explore.

“As the season changes, the activities get even more exciting here in Westchester,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Whether it’s the ToughMan and ToughKids Triathlon or the SoWe Food and Wine Festival, there is room for everyone to enjoy Westchester.”

The following is a list of upcoming events and attractions:

Get Active

If you’re an athlete or sports enthusiast, get ready. Adults and children can show their strength by participating in the 2014 ToughMan ToughKids Triathlon on Sunday, September 7. It includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike race and a 13.1-mile run in Croton-on-Hudson. There is also a race for children so that the entire family can join in on the fun. Registration for the clinic and course preview is now open for both ToughKids and ToughMan participants on Saturday and Sunday, August 23-24. It allows the perfect opportunity to learn, train and ask questions. The clinics include swimming in the Hudson River, riding the course with coaches and support vehicles, and running the course. For more information or to register, visit www.toughmantri.com.

The American Gold Cup, rated as the United States No. 1 competition by the North American Riders Group, returns to Old Salem Farm on September 10-14, Wednesday through Sunday. The state-of-the-art equestrian sports training and event facility widely recognized by competitors as a premiere venue welcomes elite equestrian athletes, horse owners, VIPs, celebrities, young riding hopefuls along with enthusiastic fans gather to enjoy this extraordinary show jumping event. Amongst a fanfare of family friendly activities such as pony rides, face painting and musicians, spectators delight in exceptional shopping from headliners like Hermes, Lugano Diamonds, Roberto Coin, Orvis and Porsche on boutique row. There are also celebrity sightings and the signature Just World International Horseless Horse Show for kids. Old Salem Farm is located at 190 June Road in North Salem. For more information, visit www.TheAmericanGoldCup.com.

Get Art, Crafts, Music and More

The Lower Hudson Valley’s only corn festival, CORNucopia, returns to Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow this Labor Day weekend. Featuring a bounty of corn-centric delicacies and a bevy of interactive, corn-related activities, CORNucopia will take place Saturday through Monday, August 30 – September 1, from 10 am to 5 pm each day. All visitors get a free bag of popcorn and other maize-inspired food selections available for purchase include fresh roasted corn, cornbread, corn salad, kettle corn, corn salsa and chips, and corn chili, plus draft beers and draft root beer from Captain Lawrence Brewery. Blue Pig of Croton-on-Hudson will feature sweet corn ice cream.  Activities include a corn shucking contest, a barn dance, corn-husk doll and scarecrow making, and play games like Conk the Crow, Cornhole, and Ring-a-Cob in the CORNival gaming area. Live bluegrass and folk music by the Tappan Cowboys will be heard throughout the day. There will also be open-hearth cooking demonstrations using corn as the main ingredient and kids can enjoy a “mini maize maze.” Philipsburg Manor is a living history museum owned and operated by the non-profit Historic Hudson Valley. All CORNucopia proceeds support its education and preservation mission. Tickets are $14 for adults; $12 for seniors; $8 for children 3-17; and free for children under 3 and for Historic Hudson Valley members. Tickets are available online at www.hudsonvalley.org. Philipsburg Manor is located at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow. For information: 914-366-6900.

September sizzles with a three-day celebration – White Plains Jazz Fest -in downtown White Plains, Tuesday through Sunday, September 2-7. Now in its third year, the highly anticipated event has expanded from three days of performances to a six-day festival that includes Latin, smooth, classic and contemporary styles of jazz – a globally influenced art form that originated in America.  ArtsWestchester will be a significant contributor to this year’s festivities, hosting two events in The Arts Exchange, its historic landmark building on Mamaroneck Avenue, and co-hosting a third event with the White Plains Performing Arts Center. For a full schedule of events, visit https://artswestchester.org/aw/2014/08/06/jazz-fest-comes-to-white-plains-september-2-7/.

Cornucopia2013Re-awaken your spirit at the 30th anniversary of Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst, which takes place Friday through Sunday, September 12-14. Set on the grounds of the grand and historic Lyndhurst, families can discover the unique designs and creative artistry of more than 275 leading artists and crafts people as they exhibit, sell and talk about their work amidst the unique beauty of Lyndhurst’s grounds with magnificent views of the Hudson River. The show will include one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry, fashion, and accessories, furniture and home décor pieces, as well as functional and sculptural work in ceramics, glass, metal painting, photography, wood and mixed media. Admission is $12 for an all-weekend pass, $11 for seniors, $4 for children 6-16 years old and free for children under 6 years old. Proceeds benefit the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Lyndhurst is located at 635 South Broadway in Tarrytown. For more information, visit http://artrider.com/lyndf2014.html.

For the foodies and wine lovers, the Southern Westchester (SoWe) Food & Wine Festival is the perfect excuse to indulge with a spouse or a group of friends in a festival that provides loads of fun. The popular event, which takes place Friday through Sunday, September 19-21, will include a Celebrity Chef Battle; a Grand Culinary Village including BBQ, food trucks, wine and beer, as well as celebrity chef demos, live music and a Kids Zone; and a grand tasting event. The three-day event takes place in various locations in White Plains, Mamaroneck and Scarsdale. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit http://sowefwf.com/.

Plan a fall lakeside gathering at Edith Macy Conference Center, conveniently located just 45 minutes from mid-town Manhattan, in Westchester County. Gather friends and family and enjoy its Oktoberfest package with an extensive menu for guests at the mountainside retreat. Outdoor seating and recreation including volleyball, tetherball, badminton, horseshoes, basketball, catch and release and fishing (NYS license required) are included. Also, seating for up to 200 people is available indoors with a fire place, ping pong, foosball, karaoke and board games. For $44.00 per person, guests can enjoy delicious cuisine reflecting the fall season including braised red cabbage, potato pancakes with apple sauce and black forest cake. And Franziskaner or Spaten Oktoberfest beer can be added to the package. The event must take place before October 31. Book before September 15 and receive 50 percent off the lakeside rental fee. Edith Macy Conference Center is located at 550 Chappaqua Road in Briarcliff Manor. For more information, call (914) 945-8097 or visit http://www.edithmacy.com/.

Get Comfy

Enjoy all the festivities then rest at one of many nearby hotels. The Hilton Westchester’s Instant Getaway hotel package includes a complimentary drink upon arrival and in-room breakfast for two, starting at $169 per room. The Hilton Westchester is located at 699 Westchester Avenue in Rye Brook. For more information, call (914) 939-6300 or visit 4http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/hilton-westchester-RYEHIHH/offers/100027669.htm.

For more itineraries, visit http://escapes.visitwestchesterny.com/  and to get the latest events and happenings in Westchester, log onto www.visitwestchesterny.com, like us on Facebook (facebook.com/westchestercountytourism), follow us on Twitter @westchestertour or call 1-800-833-9282. To view the Westchester County Destination Guide, please visit http://digital-editions.mediatwo.com/westchester-destination.

 

SOWE (Southern Westchester) Food And Wine Festival

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sowe-logoCelebrity Chefs Graham Elliot and Rocco DiSpirito To Duke it Out During The Weekend’s Festivities

The Southern Westchester (SOWE) Food and Wine Festival is pleased to announce its epic Chef Battle, Graham Elliot vs. Rocco DiSpirito, and musical lineup for 2014.  Musical acts include Gary U.S. Bonds, Marshall Crenshaw, The Ramps and Gil Parris.

The SOWE Food & Wine Festival is a unique culinary celebration showcasing the talents of renowned restaurants, wineries, pit masters, cheese mongers, breweries, specialty culinary providers, spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce and The Village of Mamaroneck, the Festival brings community together through food, wine, and beverage sampling, while generating awareness and raising funds to fight hunger, obesity and malnutrition.  This fun-filled weekend also includes music concerts, book signings, cooking demos and even activities for kids.

SOWE 2014 will feature a variety of activities:

  • Friday, September 19, 2014
    o   SOWE “Best Chef Battle” at Pepe Infiniti in White Plains from 7 pm to 10 pm
  • Saturday, September 20, 2014
    o   SOWE Grand Culinary Village, featuring Healthy Eating/Healthy Living Pavilion, demonstration by pastry chef Jaques Torres, BBQ/Grilling Expo, Concert, Kids’s Zone, & Food Truck Parade  at Harbor Island Park in Mamaroneck from 11 am to 5 pm
  • Sunday, September 21, 2014
    o   SOWE  Grand Tasting Village, featuring Healthy Eating/Healthy Living Pavilion, Music, and Kid’s Zone, in the Village of Scarsdale (Chase Rd., Spencer Pl., Harwood Court, Boniface Circle & Woodland Rd.) from 11 am to 5 pm

A partial roster of celebrity chefs participating in this year’s festival includes: Dan Amatuzzi, Wine Director, Eataly, NYC (named a “30 under 30 to Watch” by Forbes), and Nick Coleman, Oleologist (olive oil specialist), Eataly (NYC). They will be conducting a wine and olive oil demonstration. Also, attendees can view culinary demonstrations from Franklin Becker; Kamal Grant, Owner and Chef of Sublime Doughnuts, Atlanta; Joe (JJ) Johnson, Chef of The Cecil in Harlem, NYC (named a “30 under 30 to Watch” by Forbes); Nisa Lee; Rafael Palomino and Dave DiBari. Look for some of your favorite personalities to be added to the schedule at a later date.

SOWE introduces its lineup of renowned chefs, from across the country, for a chef face off: Chef Graham Elliot joins SOWE from Chicago, IL and brings a unique dining experience for all.  Elliot, a cultured chef who has traveled the globe, as well as all fifty states, combines fine dining and exceptional creativity to all of his meals. Chef Elliot was named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chefs”  in 2004 and was featured  on Crain’s Chicago Business list of “40 Under Forty.” His restaurant in Chicago, Graham Elliot Bistro, has captivated not only the city, but President Obama, who recently dined at the restaurant for an intimate birthday dinner.  Elliot will face off with Rocco DiSpirito in SOWE’s Chef Battle.  Rocco DiSpirito is an award-winning chef and author of ten highly acclaimed cookbooks, including his newest #1 New York Times best seller The Pound A Day Dietand bestselling series Now Eat This!  The Scotto Family (Marion, Elaina, Rosanna, and Tony, Jr.) will be judging the SOWE Best Chef Battle on September 19th.

SOWE will be hosting a chocolate lovers demonstration by Jacques Torres on Saturday, September 20th in Mamaroneck:  For chocolate lovers, pastry chef Jacques Torres will be featuring his notorious, indulgent chocolate treats.  His chocolate delicacies combine all natural ingredients, as well as traditional French techniques, to deliver the tastiest sensation. In 1986, Torres became the youngest pastry chef to receive the elite Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman of France) medal in pastry.

A sampling of restaurants partaking in SOWE 2014 includes: 8 North Broadway, 808 Bistro, Restaurant 42, ABC Cakes, An American Bistro, Artuso Pastry, Benjamin Steakhouse, BLT, Chutney Masala, Crabtree’s Kittle House, Pinch, Dolphin, Enrico’s Pastry Shop, Gaucho Grill, Havana Central Ridge Hill, Imagine Candy, Le Jardin Du Roi, Le Moulin, Longford’s Ice Cream, Lu Lu’s, Massa, Melting Pot, Palominos, Bistro Latino, Sonora, Parkway, Pete’s Saloon, Pizza & Brew, Savona, Serafina, The Sneaky Chef, The Cookery’s Dough Nation, Thyme, ZaZa’s, Chef Johnson, and Dan Rooneys. Restaurants will be added daily, so please check out our website for updates.

SOWE provides live music including acts from: Gary U.S. Bonds, an American rock and roll rhythm and blues singer; Marshall Crenshaw, an American Top 40 singer; The Ramps; and Gill Parris, a Grammy-nominated rock, blues, jazz and pop guitarist.

SOWE’s current sponsors and partners include: The Pepe Auto Group (title sponsor); Dannon and Houlihan Lawrence (presenting sponsors); Southern Wine & Spirits; Zachy’s; Geico; Wilson & Son Jewelers (naming partners at the Scarsdale event); Inspiria Media; Buzz Creators; Manhattan Beer Distributors; Cayman Island Tourism Board; Douglas Elliman; Whole Foods; Yogibo; Platinum Drive Realty; Skinny Pop; Pretzel Crisps; Mrs. Green’s Natural Market; and 34 Degrees.

As part of its title sponsorship, The Pepe Auto Group is offering a lease give-away contest for the SOWE Food & Wine Festival. People can enter to win a two-year lease on their choice of a 2014

Infiniti Q50 Sedan; 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Coupe; or a 2014 Cadillac ATS Sedan. The winner will be announced live on September 21st at the SOWE Food & Wine Festival. People can enter the contest at: www.sowegiveaway.com.

An important part of the SOWE Food and Wine Festival is giving back to the local community.  This year’s beneficiaries include: WhyHunger, Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp., Food Bank for Westchester, Greyston Foundation, and others. SOWE is also excited to partner this year with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), the world’s premier culinary college, which will be providing cooking demonstrations and tasty samples from their world famous restaurants.

Additional events and activities will be added in the weeks leading up to September 2014. Sign up for email alerts to get all the details as they are announced at www.sowefwf.com. For additional information about the event, sponsorships and partnerships, please contact: Rich Baumer at rb@sowefwf.com. For information on becoming a SOWE volunteer, please email: Stacey Baumer at sb@sowefwf.com.  SOWE has also created a new blog on its website, called SoWeTaste, which reviews local restaurants, interviews top chefs, TV hosts, and more! Check it out at: http://sowefwf.com/blog. Tickets are now on sale at our website too!

About SOWE Food & Wine Festival: (www.Sowefwf.com) Join us at the SOWE Food & Wine Festival, September 19 – 21, 2014.  Pamper your palate and quench your thirst throughout the weekend’s festivities, showcasing gourmet food samplings from hundreds of Southern Westchester’s top restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and pit masters, plus more than 300 award winning wines and craft beers from around the world. Attendees will also experience celebrity-chef cooking demonstrations, product displays, book signings, live music, children’s activities, and more! Baumer Ventures, Inc. (BVI, Inc.) is producing the festival, hosted by the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Mamaroneck.

Last year’s SOWE event attracted more than 7,500 attendees to an incredible epicurean celebration, featuring more than 100 sponsors, 75 restaurants, celebrity chefs, and more. Highlights of the 2013 event can be viewed at http://sowefwf.com/highlights2013/