HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Hudson Valley Grill Experiment Show Rolls into New Paltz on October 14th!

I thought I'd share this info with Hudson Valley Good Stuff readers and amateur chefs.  Here is the scoop from The Food Experiment and Brooklyn Brewery:

"Sixteen cities. Four hundred amateur chefs. Only ONE national champion. On the heels of a successful 5-city tour in 2011, The Food Experiments, the nation’s leading cook-off organization, is back with a 16-city National Tour sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery.

The thirteenth stop on the tour is The Hudson Valle Grill Experiment on October14 ,2012. Since its inception, The Food Experiments competitions have consistently been met with sold-out crowds. Each Experiment features roughly 25 local amateur chefs who have prepared a unique creation incorporating the food theme. Celebrating the bountiful harvest of upstate New York and the crisp early autumn, the 2012 Hudson Valley Experiment will feature inspiration through grilling. The first judges released on the esteemed judging panel are Gary Allen, “Dining In” columnist at Roll Magazine, Ray Bradley, farmer and owner of Bradley Farm, and Jeremy Kolakowski, executive chef of Rock and Rye Tavern. More judges will be released as the Experiment approaches.

Everyone in attendance will have a hand in choosing which “cheftestants” will gain bragging rights, cookware, bakeware, and cash from National Sponsors: Brooklyn Brewery, Le Creuset, Anolon, Microplane and Wusthof knives. The Grand Prize Winner will bask in culinary glory city-wide and earn a shot at the National Championships on December 16. The winner from each city’s Experiment will be flown in to Brooklyn courtesy of Brooklyn Brewery to compete with the best of the best for a chance to become The Food Experiments’ 2012 National Champion. Victory has never tasted so good!"

WHAT: The Hudson Valley Grill Experiment

WHEN: Sunday, October 14th, 2012 TIME: 1pm–4pm

WHERE: The Rock and Rye Tavern

JUDGES: GaryAllen,RollMagazine, Ray Bradley, BradleyFarm, and Jeremy Kolakowski, Rockand Rye Tavern.

TICKETS: $10–includes a Brooklyn Brewery pint and a plethora of culinary delights. Half of the ticket proceeds will go towards charities that promote sustainability and local culinary education for disadvantaged children and teens. SIGN UP TO COMPETE OR PURCHASE TICKETS: http://thefoodexperiments.com/tour/hudsonvalley/

Yanni's Greek Restaurant in New Paltz: Giant gyros, taramosalata & more really good Greek food!

Yanni's is a great lunch spot on Main Street in New Paltz. Once in a while I get a craving for Greek food. I went to Greece on vacation once, and I lived in Astoria, Queens for 10 years so I know good Greek food. Yanni's in New Paltz has it!  I first tasted taramosalata at Opa's in Astoria, Queens, and the taramosalata in Yanni's reminded me of my Astoria days.  

For the entree I had the homemade veggie burger in a pita. I started the morning with 2 Moxie cupcakes so I wanted a light lunch. Tom, on the other hand, ordered the Gyro Platter. The platters are generous here!  Yanni's does have a rather extensive menu of Greek specialties for folks who want something fancier. We skipped dessert so I can't report on their baklava though it did look good.  Yanni's Restaurant & Cafe, 51 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561. (845) 256-0988. No website, but Yanni's does have a Facebook page.

Moxie Cupcake Bake Shop & Cafe in New Paltz: Amazing gourmet cupcakes that are worth the calorie splurge!

I had the delicious pleasure of visiting Moxie Cupcake Bake Shop & Cafe in New Paltz last weekend. This cupcake bake shop was on my Must Visit list for quite a while. I sure wish this place was closer to my home. The cupcake photos speak for themselves. I had chocolate cupcake with caramel on top, and a peanut butter and jelly cupcake. These cupcakes are outrageous!

Josie Eriole, the owner of Moxie Cupcake, can also create novelty cupcakes for special occasions. (See the cute high heel cupcakes here?) I could probably spend a day here just eating cupcakes. Unfortunately, the Cupcake Festival at Gardiner will not be taking place this year, but I will look forward to attending that in May 2013. In the meantime, if you need a good cupcake fix, go to Moxie Cupcake. These cupcakes are worth the calories! Moxie Cupcake, 215 Main Street, New Paltz, NY. (85) 255-2253