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CulinaryArts@SPAC

Nothing brings together a community like food

CulinaryArts@SPAC is a food-and-drink-forward series that offers culinary experiences with an emphasis on sustainability, held in gorgeous gathering places that foster deep connections: to one another, to the arts, to nature, and the planet. 

Dining events feature the talents of both local and visiting chefs who partner with area farmers, butchers, distillers and purveyors. Past culinary artists include star vegetarian Chef Jehangir Mehta from New York City, Chefs Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen from the UK, and Chef Dominic Labelle, Quebec’s “Culinary Revelation of the Year.” Capital Region chefs have included Michael Blake, Dan Spitz, Michele Hunter, Mike Spain, and Shelly Spain.  

Visiting cookbook authors who have shared their expertise and insights alongside their bites include Naomi Duguid (The Miracle of Salt), Matt Hranek (The Negroni) and Dr. Annie Fenn (Brain Health Kitchen). 

CulinaryArts@SPAC supports the notion of socially conscious cultivation and consumption, local procurement, and fair wages.  

Savor the Experience

Awaken your senses and nourish the soul with curated menus that emphasize sustainability

Cook the Book

Taste recipes and cocktails straight ‘from the cookbooks’ of acclaimed visiting chefs, culinary writers and mixologists

Master the Techniques

Learn through hands on workshops, demonstrations and conversations with culinary experts

Together at the Table

Join our culinary community over a shared meal in a spectacular setting

CulinaryArts@SPAC Event Producers

Kim Klopstock

Food Writer, Pam Abrams

Thank You To Our Lead CulinaryArts@SPAC Sponsor

Additional Support Provided By

CulinaryArts@SPAC Featured Guests

We’re honored to have welcomed these industry experts–including acclaimed chef and culinary writers, mixologists and other culinary visionaries–to past events within our CulinaryArts@SPAC series.

Edward Lee, Author of Bourbon Land

Emma Hearst, Author of Flavors from the Farm

Marti Buckley, Author of The Book of Pintxos

Two men sitting at a table with food and drinks.

Josh Ku and Chef Trigg Brown, Win Son Brooklyn

Avery Stemple, Collar City Mushrooms

Corinne Carey, Collar City Mushrooms

David Chaiken, Chef, Collar City Mushrooms

Nils Bernstein, Author of The Joy of Oysters

Mark Graham, Executive Chef Hattie’s Albany

Eric Asimov,The New York Times Chief Wine Critic

Dr. Katie Takayasu, Author of Plants First: A Physician’s Guide to Wellness Through A Plant-Forward Diet

Dr. Annie Fenn, Author of Brain Health Kitchen

Naomi Duguid, Author of The Miracle of Salt

Dominic Labelle, “Quebec’s “Culinary Revelation of the Year”

Hayley Stevens, Saratoga Tea & Honey

Dan Spitz, Private Chef and Owner/Operator of FatNHappy, LLC

Suzanne Balet- Haight, Owner of Balet Flowers and Design

Austin Peltier, Ayurvedic Cooking Expert

Jehangir Mehta, NYC-based Chef and Founder of Graffiti Earth

Tim Spedding and Louise Rødkjær Jørgensen,The UK’s most exciting and influential young chefs

Matt Hranek, Author of The Negroni

Joe Donahue of WAMC, frequent moderator of CulinaryArts@SPAC and LiteraryArts@SPAC events

Renowned Capital Region Chefs

Michael Blake

Michele Hunter

Mike Spain

Shelly Spain

Kevin London

CulinaryArts@SPAC Event Galleries

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