Press Release: Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announces CulinaryArts@SPAC Spring Series
February 23, 2024
Saratoga Performing Arts Center Announces
CulinaryArts@SPAC Spring Series
Featuring
Pintxos: A Taste of Spain’s Basque Country on April 11
Flavors from the Farm with Emma Hearst on May 8
Culinary tastings, drinks, and conversation with authors
Saratoga Springs, NY (February 23, 2024) – Saratoga Performing Arts Center announces that its innovative CulinaryArts@SPAC initiative will continue with two special events, presented in partnership with its lead sponsor Franklin Square Market, slated for this spring at The Pines at SPAC. Kicking off the series on April 11 is Pintxos: A Taste of Spain’s Basque Country featuring Spanish wines and an array of these small bites,alongside conversation with award-winning author and chef Marti Buckley and WAMC’s Sarah LaDuke. Following on May 8 is Flavors from the Farm with Emma Hearst featuring cocktails and mocktails, tastings inspired by the book, and conversation with Hearst, a former NYC chef, James Beard award finalist and founder of Forts Ferry Farm, alongside WAMC’s Joe Donahue.
“On the heels of January’s completely sold-out Win Son: A Taste of Taiwan event, we are excited to bring these unique experiences to our community,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “From the rich culinary tradition of the ‘pintxo’ in San Sebastián, Spain — to creating farm-fresh produce in our own backyard with Upstate NY native Emma Hearst — we hope to create connection through great food, drink and conversation.”
Beyond its amphitheater stage, SPAC has become a year-round gathering place celebrating the artistry of food in building community while empowering individuals to understand how what we eat influences our communities and our planet. The CulinaryArts@SPAC initiative, founded in 2020, combines culinary excellence and education with exquisite meals that emphasize socially conscious cultivation and consumption, local procurement, and fair wages.
Pintxos: A Taste of Spain’s Basque Country
April 11, 2024
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Pintxos: A Taste of Spain’s Basque Country will feature Spanish wines, authentic tastes of these small bites or pintxos (pronounced “peen-chos”), and conversation with award-winning author and Basque transplant Marti Buckley alongside WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s Sarah LaDuke.
Upon arrival, guests can enjoy sample recipes like Chicken Croquettes and Brie, Jamon and Jam on bread, followed by tastes of dishes including Ensaladillo Rusa (Russian potato salad with tuna), Bilbainito (shrimp & egg skewer), Salmon Marinado (marinated salmon) and Spanish Omelets, served family-style at communal tables. Spanish wines and sweet red vermouth will also be served.
Accompanying the tastings, WAMC Northeast Public Radio’s Sarah LaDuke will lead a conversation with Buckely to discuss what makes a pintxo, its history, and recipe tips so home cooks can authentically recreate these tiny morsels in their own kitchens.
Tarta de Queso and a book signing with Buckley will complete the evening.
Tickets to attend are $95. Attendees can also purchase a copy of The Book of Pintxos for the special event pricing of $25 onsite (retail: $30). Seating is on a first come basis. Visit spac.org for details.
Flavors from the Farm with Emma Hearst
May 8, 2024
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Former NYC chef, James Beard award finalist, and Forts Ferry Farm founder Emma Hearst will make her first CulinaryArts@SPAC appearance to celebrate the release of her new book Flavors from the Farm. The event will feature fresh tastes from her Upstate New York farmstead, cocktails and mocktails, and conversation with Hearst and WAMC’s Joe Donahue.
Harnessing the growing trend of hobby farms, farmettes, community plots, and home gardens, Emma Hearst sets out to simplify the complex world of growing and utilizing seasonal produce in this farm-fresh cookbook. From choosing seeds to making use of microseasons to creating quick and vibrant meals, Flavors from the Farm explores how to maximize the flavor of home-grown vegetables, fruits, and more. The ingredient-driven recipes include easy vegetal soups with beans and peas, crisp salads, small plates, and other healthy, just-harvested produce.
Tickets for Flavors from the Farm with Emma Hearst are $95 and will go on sale on March 21. Visit spac.orgfor details.
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CulinaryArts@SPAC is presented in partnership with its lead sponsor, Franklin Square Market, downtown Saratoga’s community market and bar. The initiative is produced by Kim Klopstock of Lily and the Rose and Pam Abrams, with Tiina Loite. Additional support is provided by The Savory Pantry, an artisan food and drink gift shop.
Marti Buckley
Marti Buckley is an American writer and chef from Alabama who has resided in northern Spain since 2010. Her definitive book on Basque cuisine, Basque Country, earned her a prestigious IACP Cookbook Award in the 2019 International category, as well as Best Publication from the Basque Gastronomy Academy. She appears regularly on both Spanish and American television and radio programs, and her work has been featured in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, and Wine Enthusiast, among others. Marti is co-founder of the International Society for the Preservation & Enjoyment of Vermouth. Find her Instagram @martibuckley.
Emma Hearst
After receiving her degree in Culinary Arts at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Hearst opened her first restaurant, Sorella, at the age of 21 with former schoolmate and best friend, Sarah Krathen. Shortly after opening, the restaurant received 4 stars from NYMAG along with countless other glowing reviews from The New Yorker, NY Times, Thrillist, Gotham Magazine, and Zagat to name a few. From there, Hearst was invited to cook at the famous James Beard House and would later become a semifinalist for a James Beard Award. During her years in NYC, she received many accolades in the food industry such as Zagat’s 30 under 30, Forbes 30 under 30, and Star Chefs. She was a featured chef in the James Beard award-winning book, Notes From A Kitchen, and also appeared on multiple TV shows; most notably Iron Chef, where she made history as the youngest contestant to ever compete on the show.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws lovers of arts, culture and nature for performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as Caffè Lena @ SPAC and initiatives in culinary, literary, healing and visual arts.
SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s thriving education program, community outreach efforts, and the vibrancy of its programming. For more information visit spac.org.