The 18th annual Taste of Tribeca, which celebrates downtown’s local culture and supports PS 150 and PS 234, is gearing up for yet another successful event on May 19th [11:30am – 3pm] and the food, if possible, has gotten tastier. You may be asking, “how would we know? The event isn’t for another 3 weeks.” Well, on Wednesday, Taste of Tribeca held their annual press preview lunch featuring 10 dishes from participating chefs and restaurants. With an All-Star lineup of over 70 of Tribeca’s top chefs, we knew we had to grab a seat; especially since one of our very own I’m In The Kitchen chefs, Kurt Gutenbrunner of Blaue Gans, who has been participating in the event since 2006, was one of the chefs chosen for the preview tasting.
There was a general consensus in the room (and I promise I’m not even biased), that the strawberry, rhubarb and elderflower coupe from chef Gutenbrunner and his pastry chef Janette Tamer, was the tastiest dish of the day- especially among the 4 desserts. What we loved most about this dish was its presentation is perfect for kids to enjoy yet the flavors so sophisticated and complex that parents will be the first in line- something for everyone to enjoy.
Other standouts would have to be the crabcake sliders by chef Lee Scheffler of Sarabeth’s (who also graciously hosted the beautiful lunch), the house cured pastrami on rye with mustard & health salad by chef Mark Spangenthal of Kutsher’s (the new kid on the block), and the stuffed spaghetti pie and rice ball of chef Gennaro Martinelli of Tre Sorelle.
We were able to catch up with chef Gutenbrunner to talk about years past, what he’s looking forward to trying this year and more…
Blaue Gans has been participating in Taste of Tribeca since 2006, over the years how has it evolved and what are you looking forward to most this year?
This event is the biggest fundraiser for the public schools in TriBeCa. I am very happy so many restaurants participated in this event and understand the importance of being supportive of our children’s education. From only a couple of restaurants on Jay Street to taking over Duane and Greenwich Streets, this is a wonderful development of importance of restaurant-community involvement in TriBeCa.
What are you doing differently this year?
Last year I did 2 dishes. I also brought my sausage cart. This year I am going to serve a Strawberry, Rhubarb and Elderflower Coupe.
Taste of Tribeca is supporting such an incredible cause, which organizations and food events do you enjoy participating in the most?
I always support the annual fundraiser or PS234, which is my favorite event. I also participate in Taste of the Green Market, Brooklyn Uncorked, and City Harvest. This year I am very proud that I was able to support the New England Conservatory in raising $600,000.00, which will create 51 scholarships!
Aside from Blaue Gans, which restaurant are you looking forward to eating at?
I like the new additions to the neighborhood, for example Super Linda, and I think that it is nice for all us chefs to take our food to the street and make a little party. But as I always say, I have four children and I love them all equally. I am excited to see everyone on May 19th!
What are you looking forward to on the day of?
I really hope for a sunny day so a lot of people will come down and party with us at Taste of TriBeCa and raise more money than we did last year to support our schools.
If you haven’t bought your ticket yet here ($40 until May 1, $45 until May 19, $50 on day of), which gives you six ‘tastings’, we aren’t quite sure what you’re waiting for. You get to eat delicious food while supporting a great cause; it seems to be a no brainer. You can also grab a ticket to the Taste of Tribeca dinner on May 10th, hosted by Sarabeth’s for $150, which includes a day of event ticket as well. Decisions, decisions…
All photos copyright: I‘m In The Kitchen
Stuffed Spaghetti (c) Tribeca Citizen
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