Photos
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Chef Bill Zucosky of the Strip House in Livingston prepares a roasted bacon salad during a recent preview of the Fourth Annual Summit Wine and Food Festival. Credits: Patricia Harris
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Diane Pinder makes caramel-stuffed strawberries dipped in dark chocolate. Credits: Patricia Harris
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Mixologists Moises Payret Jr., left, and Alex Valencia get ready to tape their demonstration. Credits: Patricia Harris
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A cameraman tapes chocolatier Diane Pinder, left, speaking with Ivan Ruiz, owner of The Wine List, second from left; Paula Mooney, host of “Tease Your Palate,” and Neil Rodriguez, general manager of The Wine List, seen from behind. Credits: Patricia Harris
Upcoming Cable Show to Offer Sneak Peek of This Year's Summit Wine and Food Festival
Thursday, August 9, 2012 • 11:36am
SUMMIT, NJ - Organizers of the Summit Wine and Food Festival are seeking to generate excitement about this year’s event, to be held Sept. 21, 22 and 23 at the Grand Summit Hotel.
Yesterday a production crew videotaped a segment of “Tease Your Palate” to be aired on cable television starting next week. The half-hour special is being produced by Home Towne Television and shown on Channel 36 on Comcast and Channel 33 on FiOS. Three celebrity chefs and two mixologists came to The Wine List on Springfield Avenue to give demonstrations and speak with hosts of the show. Three cameras filmed the action.
“We’re providing a sneak preview of what to expect at the fourth annual event,” said Paula Mooney, host and producer of “Tease Your Palate.” “The show can also be seen anytime on our Web site, hometownetv.org.”
Mooney joined the store’s owner, Ivan Ruiz, at a table to discuss food and wine pairings. Ruiz is the founder and executive director of the festival. Also participating was Neil Rodriguez, the store’s general manager and wine buyer.
The first chef to give a demonstration and sit at the table was chocolatier Diane Pinder. She has created two brands, Donna Tuscana and Cocoabee, and sells her creations to upscale supermarkets and boutique stores.
This will be the third year she has participated in the festival.
“It’s fun,” she said. “I get to interact with a lot of people who appreciate food, and I have the opportunity to meet and do something alongside some really great chefs. “It’s a great way to get your name out there,” she added.
For her demonstration, Pinder made strawberries stuffed with balsamic caramel and dipped in dark chocolate. The pairing was a Kopke L.B.V. 2006 Porto. At the festival, she will be making truffles from specially selected chocolate bars and providing samples.
The second celebrity chef was Bill Zucosky of the Strip House Restaurant in Livingston. He prepared a roasted bacon salad that was paired with a StaeteLandt Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2011.
Chef Adrian Leon of Agua Fresca Restaurant in New York City prepared lobster huitlacoche tacos that were paired with an Alex Sotello Cellars Syrah, Leveroni Vineyard, 2006.
Wearing fedoras and mixing up exotic drinks were Moises Payret Jr. and Alex Valencia of Patria in Rahway and Orale! Mexican Bistro in Elizabeth. This year’s festival will feature gala tastings, dinners, chef demonstrations and wine and spirits seminars.
The festival has been rated one of the best by The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Community Foodbank of New Jersey.
For tickets and information, visit www.summitwineandfood.com.
