Earlier this month, GrowNYC held the second in our Chef Seasonal Dinner Series.

It was magnificent!

Five leading chefs from some of NYC’s most prominent restaurants donated their time and incredible culinary skills to create an unforgettable meal.

The theme of the dinner was International Harvest. Chef Ron Roselli of Bowery Road kicked things off with passed hors d’oeurves, including Fried Mushroom with a Citrus Aioli and Calabrian Chili, as well as Sicilian Cauliflower with Pine Nuts and a Chili Garlic Vinaigrette, which were followed by Sacco Chicken Stew with Bitter Orange and Dominican Root Vegetables prepared by Chef Charles Rodriguez of Print.  The second course, prepared by Iceland native Chef Gunnar Gíslason of Agern, consisted of Honeynut Squash with Sea Buckthorn, Honey and Brown Butter.  Next was Octopus with Salsa Veracruzana and Blue Eye Potatoes created by Chef Daniela Soto-Innes of Cosme, inspired by the cooking of Chef Sotto-Innes’s home country, Mexico.  And finally, for dessert, Chef Miro Uskokovic from Gramercy Tavern reimagined an Apple “Lazy” Pie with Baklava Ice Cream and Cranberry from his childhood in Serbia. And because two desserts are better than one, he made Serbian-inspired Truffles with Slivovitz and Cacao Prieto.

Magnificent. (It must be said again.)

This year marks the 18^th anniversary of GrowNYC's New Farmer Development Program which provides assistance and opportunity for immigrants with backgrounds in agriculture looking to continue a career in farming in the Northeast. To celebrate, participants of that program, Sergio and Paz Nolasco of Nolasco Farms, gave a short speech about what Greenmarket means to their business.  

All the proceeds from the event allow Greenmarket to use Project Farmhouse throughout the year as an educational space for youth programming, panel discussions, film screenings, and networking events focused on a just and sustainable local food system.  We’re deeply grateful to all of the participating chefs, as well as Bread Alone, Breuckelen Distilling, Brooklyn Brewery, Great Performances, Lauber Imports, Library of Distilled Spirits, Omni New York LLC, and Union Square Wines for their help and support for our International Harvest Dinner. Photography by Vitaliy Piltser.

Looking forward to the next one!