Annual Black Dirt Feast tickets now on sale

Pine Island - Tickets for the Black Dirt Feast to be held on Aug. 2, are now on sale. This annual al fresco fundraiser, organized by the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce, is one of the area’s eagerly anticipated events. The event is designed to showcase the quality produce from local farms and the award-winning chefs who prepare gourmet meals from these foods. Each year the proceeds from the Black Dirt Feast go to local charitable groups. This year’s feast will feature music from the Hudson Opera Theatre, under the direction of Ron Defesi, and the Jeff Ciampa Jazz Trio. The menu The evening’s menu will offer paired organic and bio-dynamic wines with locally grown produce and foods whipped up into delectable culinary creations: Hors D’oeuvres Assorted hot and cold hors d’oeuvres from the Catering House of Ed Fava, Greenwood Lake. Appetizer Lowland Farms beef short ribs, seered and slow cooked in Chumley’s BBQ sauce until fall-off-the-bone-tender, served with balsamic glazed Pine Island sweet onions. Prepared by Chumley’s Chef Dan Lemire. Soup Hot roasted sweet corn bisque with succotash and corn sprouts. Prepared by Black Dirt Gourmet Chef Heather Kurosz. Salad Rogowski Farm Arugala, watermelon, and radish, with truffle vinaigrette. Prepared by Iron Forge Restaurant Chef Erik Johansen. Entrees Choice #1: Grilled pork loin with crispy pork belly croquette, served with sautéed local spinach, borlotti bean salad and tomato-sherry sauce. Prepared by Glenmere Mansion Chef Rob Stella. Choice #2: Wild Hudson Valley codfish, pan roasted with heirloom tomato, roasted fennel, pattypan squash and quiona ragout with a leek and sweet corn cream. Prepared by Crystal Inn Chef James Haurey. Choice #3: Sauteed free-range chicken in a dry sherry sauce, with sun dried tomatoes, fresh homemade mozzarella, and spinach, served with rice. Prepared by Yesterday’s Chef Esteban Javier. Dessert French pudding (bread pudding), chocolate mousse, and lime tarte. Prepared by La Petite Cuisine Chef Georgette Storms. Beverages Organic and bio-dynamic wines, beer, lemonade, ice tea and club soda. If you go Tickets for the Black Dirt Feast to be held on Aug. 2 are $95 per person. They can be purchased by calling Peter and Sondra Hall at 258-4176 of the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce.