Foodstuffs: Calling Beekeepers And Jam-Makers; North Fork Table & Inn’s ‘Sea To Seat’ Dinner

Calling Beekeepers And Jam-Makers!

Hallockville Museum Farm, the historic North Fork farm homestead in Riverhead, is issuing a call for entries for its second annual Jam and Honey Contest, with winners to be announced at the 41st Hallockville Country Fair, the weekend of September 17 and 18. The fair is an authentic North Fork cultural experience that celebrates Long Island’s agricultural heritage and the pleasures of family farm life from years gone by. The Country Fair will feature traditional crafts and games, folk art demonstrations, a petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides, musical performance, art and craft vendors, farm livestock and many other attractions.

“If folks say you make the tastiest beach plum jam or your bees produce the best honey — put it to the test,” said Hallockville Museum Farm Executive Director Roberta Shoten. “The Hallockville Country Fair is the perfect place for a friendly food competition and the winners get bragging rights for a full year!”

First, second and third-place winners will be named in each category. Winners will receive traditional ribbons and medals and the right to say their product truly is the best.

The Jam Contest is open to all Long Islanders who make their own preserves. Entries must have been made on Long Island by the individual entering the contest. Jams or jellies must be cooked preserves — not frozen or refrigerated. The Honey Contest is open to individuals who own or manage hives on Long Island.

Contestants must submit two, four-ounce, unlabeled jars of each product they are entering into the competition. There is a $10 fee per entry and each one must be accompanied by a completed entry form, available at the Hallockville website or in-person at the Hallockville Museum Farm. Products to be entered into the contests may be dropped-off in-person at the Hallockville Museum Farm office, in the Hudson House, at 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead, between August 22 and September 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Preliminary judging will take place between September 2 and September 16. Final judging and the announcement of winners will occur during Hallockville’s 41st Country Fair on Sunday, September 18. Complete contest rules and entry forms are available online at www.hallockville.org/countryfair/.

North Fork Table & Inn’s “Sea To Seat” Dinner

On Thursday, August 11, at 5:30 p.m. on North Fork Table & Inn’s north lawn, the restaurant will host “Sea to Seat,” a summer seafood boil with their friends and partners from Mount Gay, the world’s oldest-running rum distillery devoted to keeping waters clean and safe.

The event will begin with a welcome reception and includes a seated dinner with a three-course sustainably-sourced menu and cocktail pairings ($150 per person). The menu includes a selection of passed canapés and starters, a seafood boil supplied by local purveyor GoFish, and dessert. The event will conclude with a donation to 4ocean, a company that makes bracelets from recycled materials — and for each bracelet purchased the company funds the removal of one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines. Each guest will receive a bracelet that will serve as a souvenir from the event but also to honor the efforts made for cleaner water.

“Mount Gay Rum is dedicated to social responsibility with a focus on clean waters,” said Amy Racine, Beverage Director of JF Restaurants. “In the North Fork, it is especially important that our partners are committed to keeping our waters clean and safe. This dinner is a celebration of those preserving our waters along with our partners at Mount Gay, GoFish, and 4ocean with a table of rum drinks and sustainable seafood on our North Lawn.”

For more information and menu offerings visit northforktableandinn.com/menu/#sea-to-seat.

Tate’s Bake Shop Debuts Limited-Edition Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Tate’s Bake Shop has announced the launch of its new seasonal, limited edition flavor, Pumpkin Spice Cookies, which feature creamy white chocolate chips making it the ideal crispy and uniquely satisfying treat to transition into fall. Beloved for its signature thin, crispy, buttery chocolate chip cookies, Tate’s has won additional acclaim offering a variety of seasonal flavors to their loyal fans. Recent flavors have included Blueberry Crisp, Key Lime Coconut, and Gingersnap.

“Consumers’ enthusiasm for pumpkin spice shows no sign of slowing down and Tate’s Bake Shop is excited to debut our crispy cookie twist on this classic fall trend,” said Lauren Sella, Chief Marketing Officer of Tate’s Bake Shop. “We remain committed to expanding our portfolio to meet the evolving tastes of our customers and our Pumpkin Spice Cookies are sure to delight this Fall season.”

Tate’s Pumpkin Spice Cookies ($5.99) will be available at tatesbakeshop.com and are expected to be available in stores nationwide by mid-August. The cookies are certified Kosher by the Orthodox Union.

The Tate’s story began when 11-year-old Kathleen King started baking cookies to sell at her parents’ farm stand in Southampton. Kathleen’s love of baking and dedication to quality made her crisp, buttery cookies legendary on the East End and were the inspiration for what eventually became Tate’s Bake Shop.

While the Bake Shop itself is still a local favorite, Tate’s cookies have won a loyal national following, delighting consumers for over 20 years. In 2018, Tate’s Bake Shop was acquired by Mondelēz International, and is one of the fastest growing biscuit brands in the U.S., known for its signature thin-and-crispy cookies with simple, authentic, and high-quality ingredients. Over the years, Tate’s has extended beyond traditional cookies and expanded its portfolio to include products that meet the needs and interests of consumers, including launching Vegan (2021), Gluten Free (2010), and seasonal, limited-edition flavors. Tate’s Vegan Vanilla Maple Cookies received a PEOPLE Food Award for Best Plant-Based Cookie in 2022.

Order Tate’s cookies on line, pick them up at a retail store near you, or visit Tate’s Bake Shop at 43 North Sea Road in Southampton.

Le Classique French Cultural Experience

This summer on the North Fork look no further than Demarchelier Bistro for the perfect escape. French-inspired tranquility and elegance can be found at the renowned Greenport restaurant.

In the heart of the village, exquisite offerings of French cuisine are served up at the family owned and operated establishment that showcases a menu of rich cultural expressions.

Demarchelier Bistro highlights a casual environment balanced with artistic Parisian design. From marble top tables and an antique bar top, to the outdoor seating and colorful paintings by the owner’s father — famed artist Eric Demarchelier — on the wall, the atmosphere of Demarchelier makes it the perfect sojourn on the East End for a quick bite to eat, a romantic rendezvous or a nice meal with your family and friends.

Owner Emily Demarchelier takes great pride in the restaurant that every summer is a top choice for dining in the waterfront neighborhood. Demarchelier Bistro offers French café classics such as steak tartare, duck confit, salad niçoise classic, pomme dauphine, and the quiche of the day.

The restaurant also has a superb selection of fromages that highlight a cheese fondue or chef selections; as well as charcuteries with delights of jambon de Bayonne, chorizo, garlic sausage, saussion, pate de campagne, duck rillette and foie gras. And to further create the sense of the ultimate foodie journey, Demarchelier Bistro captivates with a dessert menu of lovely sweets like the chocolate fondant or crème brulée. In addition, wine selections bring the country’s vineyards to the forefront.

Family-Owned Establishment Showcases Authentic Menu Selections and New Summer Season Happy Hour

Demarchelier Bistro is offering a new summer happy hour, with $8 glasses of rosé wine, $8 pastis, as well as specials on tapas running from 4 to 6 p.m. daily.

Additionally, the restaurant will host an art exhibit where Eric Demarchelier will be displaying his latest work. The show is a tribute to his late brother and photographer, Patrick Demarchelier. His recent collection of paintings are based on Patrick’s photographs which will be displayed side by side.

Demarchelier Bistro is at 471 Main Street in Greenport. For more information, visit demarchelierrestaurant.com.

Summer By The Bays

Fall may be fast approaching, but there are many summer traditions and experiences that blend seamlessly into the new season. One of the most treasured? Spending time on the water in and around the East End.

Partnering with Tailwind Air, Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor and The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages on Shelter Island are now offering guests travel by seaplane between New York and Boston Harbor to East Hampton Airport and Shelter Island’s Sunset Beach from May to Thanksgiving weekend, weather permitting. At this time, both resorts offer guests the opportunity to book a la carte flights via its concierge.

Once guests arrive in Sag Harbor, they can grab a classic novel and head to Baron’s Cove at 31 West Water Street. Rich in literary history (the hotel was a favorite of John Steinbeck), this classic property sits in one of the best spots in Sag Harbor overlooking the water making its porch and pool the perfect spot to curl up with a book and enjoy the harbor breezes.

The resort takes advantage of its prime waterfront location and works closely with local water attractions such as Peconic Water Sports offering guests complimentary kayaking and paddle boarding excursions. Guests at Baron’s Cove can also book a private boat tour or luxury yacht excursion with Schooner Lelanta, Yacht Hampton, and Yacht Kingfisher for the ultimate on the water experience. And there’s no need to lug beach chairs and towels along. Baron’s Cove offers guests a complimentary shuttle to and from local beaches plus everything needed for a day at the beach —chairs, towels and umbrellas.

Start or end the day by dining at the hotel’s restaurant and enjoy the harbor views while also enjoying some of the East End’s freshest dock to dish dining. Baron’s Cove’s culinary team works closely with local farmers, purveyors, and fishing boats and can name the captain and boat that the restaurant’s daily fish came off of that morning. Baron’s Cove is also one of the few places in town that offers live music every night during the summer and Wednesday through Sunday in the fall.

Over on Shelter Island, The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages, 81 Shore Road, Shelter Island, is Baron’s Cove’s sister property and recently reopened its doors after a two-year renovation (recently as in, the ribbon cutting took place mid-July). Also a waterfront property, The Pridwin offers travelers the best of both worlds: the vibes of a luxury lake/adult summer camp getaway with the thrill of the beach (it has its own private beach steps from the hotel). Guests may also take advantage of water sports activities, sunset sailing, private luxury yacht experiences and also the resort’s very own kayaking and paddle boarding. Guests also have the extra perk of fishing off of the resort’s dock. Heading into the cooler weather, The Pridwin will continue to offer several family friendly programming throughout the fall including lawn games, arts and crafts, live music, kids cooking classes, nature walks, hiking in Mashomack; farm tours with local Sylvester Manor Farm; plus yoga on the lawn programming for children.

For more information about Baron’s Cove, visit caperesorts.com/barons-cove. For more information about The Pridwin, visit caperesorts.com/Pridwin.

Rita Cantina Winds Down The Summer

Rita Cantina in Springs is the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer through full-service and transformative outdoor dining, boasting a sandy back patio of white picnic tables beneath a canopy of vintage yellow umbrellas, where guests can enjoy the vibrant menu of farm-fresh dishes.

For the ideal Labor Day feast with friends and family, the new Rita Clambake for Two experience offers a 2 lb. lobster, Bang Island mussels, local harvest steamer clams, corn on the cob, littleneck clams and red potatoes, served tableside and dressed in serrano butter. Guests can enjoy their final round of seasonal margaritas on draft, refreshing frozen margaritas (strawberry, spicy strawberry, Miami Vice, and more), and bottled cocktails, which are perfect for a holiday beach picnic or boat outing.

Just steps away from Maidstone Park Beach, Rita Cantina is open Wednesday to Sunday 4 to 10 p.m. (and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday) with a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. featuring $1 oysters and $10 margaritas after a day by the bay.

Rita Cantina is at 28 Maidstone Park Road, East Hampton. Visit ritacantinahamptons.com for details.

Go Greek At Elaia Estiatorio

This Labor Day Weekend, Elaia Estiatorio will be serving up refreshing, true Greek favorites in the heart of Bridgehampton. The centrally located restaurant is an easy stop when spending the day in town during the festive weekend offering streidia (Montauk Pearl Oysters, assyrtiko mignonette), tonos (tuna tartare, cucumber, peppers, anchovy, citrus, kalamata olives, dill), kavourokeftedes (herbed crab cakes, barley husk, chopped horiatiki, red vinaigrette), paidakia arniou (slow-roasted lamb ribs glazed in Greek cherry preserves, Greek honey, aromatics), tiganatia thalassina (lightly fried calamari, shrimp, mushroom, lemon wedge, lemon zest, yogurt dip) and more.

Visitors and locals alike can enjoy daily happy hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Elaia Estiatorio is open Tuesday through Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 5 to 10 p.m. The restaurant now offers “Midnight Mezzes” and “DJ Sundays” 10 p.m. to midnight. Alongside featured cocktails during Elaia’s after-hours, house pours are all $15, and Elaia chips, lamb, beef meatballs, and more are available. For those seeking refreshing and flavorful yet transportable catering, Elaia also has that covered with large-format packages and Greek spreads. For final summer barbecues or catering, Elaia offers large-format packages that are easily transportable.