Amherst Farmer's Market

Today is a gorgeous Saturday in Amherst - about 75 degrees, sunny, a slow breeze. Just the perfect kind of fall Saturday to enjoy being here. After 3 years of perpetual Saturday morning soccer games, I finally had the freedom to go check out the Amherst Farmer's Market, which happens every Saturday from May 2nd through November 12th from 8:30AM to 1:30PM. For someone who connects the idea of a Farmer's Market to the Union Square Greenmarket, it was pretty small, but definitely great nonetheless. I got three packages of delicious looking strawberries, a 4 ounce container of chevre, really nice gooey runny fresh yogurt, a baguette, and some amazing pears that just smell incredible.

There's something to being at a farmer's market that you just don't get at the supermarket. You're essentially buying with your nose, following the scents to what your body deems the freshest, ripest produce. Is it just me or do fruits and vegetables in the supermarket seem too cold to smell, as if someone wanted to deprive them of their natural odors in order to keep them fresher for longer, robbing them of the idea of ripeness? Maybe I've just been reading a bit too much Michael Pollen recently, but I've been really inspired to eat only 'food' - and those of you who have read his book understand that, given today's standards, that's a mighty small definition.

Anyway, for those of you close to Amherst, come check out the farmer's market next Saturday (maybe I'll see you there!) and for those of you who aren't, PLEASE go check out a greenmarket near you - the supermarket won't ever seem the same!

What are they all?

So I think I mentioned in my last post that I’m interning at a new restaurant in Westchester this summer. It’s called North and it’s at 386 Main Street in Armonk. Tomorrow’s my last day there and it’s been an absolutely crazy, wild, incredible ride. A lot of people look at me really skeptically whenever I say that I’m interning at a restaurant and go “What does a restaurant intern do?” It’s a valid question, I guess, but the answer’s a little bit tricky because, when it comes down to it, I’ve done a little bit of everything this summer. My one big project was putting together a cheese program for the restaurant, but along the way I’ve done payroll, invoice filing, ordering, menu formatting, countless Staples runs, managing, expediting, window washing, and acting as a maître d’ – basically anything that anyone needed. This has served to create a never boring summer filled with endless interests, delights and, of course, funny stories. For instance, a man legitimately threw $20 at me last night to get a party of 2 a table around 8PM. And I mean threw, like, over the podium, right at me. It was airborn, folks. Or there was the party of 2 that stayed for 4 hours and 15 minutes tonight, nevermind the fact that their table was reserved again 1 hour and 45 minutes later. Anyways, this is a long ode to everybody at North that has helped make this summer awesome, fun, and unforgettable. I will miss you all. For everyone else, I know I’m biased, but the food is incredible and the experience is unforgettable – check out Restaurant North, 386 Main Street, Armonk, NY 10504 (914) 273-8686 www.restaurantnorth.com

Welcome

Hello world, I'm here to join the ranks of the million plus blogs devoted to a love of food.


Maybe you're asking why or, more likely, why bother? Well, it's simple to me - I've pretty much always been a foodie. There was never a big turning point in my life. At 2, I was sitting at the bar and slurping down oysters with my dad and I've been cooking and baking for pretty much as long as I can remember. During my freshman year in college, I decided to put this passion for eating to the test with an internship at Union Square Cafe, which only served to intensify it. Now, I'm heading in to my senior year and just finished another internship at North in Armonk, NY and am looking for a place in the restaurant industry next year.


This will just be another way for me to share the things I love with the world - from food to cooking to soccer to other random things that just happen to pop up along the way. I hope you'll enjoy the ride as much as I will.

HSM