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, plus visiting cookbook authors who share their expertise and insights alongside their bites. View past culinary arts guests and galleries below!
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 Events
Project Griddle: The Versatile Art of Grilling on a Flattop with Steven Raichlen
CulinaryArts@SPACTue • Oct 07, 2025 • 6:00pm
Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria with Ozoz Sokoh
CulinaryArts@SPACSat • Nov 15, 2025 • 5:00pm
Potluck Desserts: Joyful Recipes to Share with Pride with Justin Burke
CulinaryArts@SPACThu • Dec 04, 2025 • 7:00pm
CulinaryArts@SPAC Event Producers
Pam Abrams, Food Writer
Kevin London, Chef, hospitality consultant, and culinary educator
Thank You To Our Lead CulinaryArts@SPAC Sponsor
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.
Melissa Martin, Author of Bayou
Edward Lee, Author of Bourbon Land
Emma Hearst, Author of Flavors from the Farm
Marti Buckley, Author of The Book of Pintxos
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
Support CulinaryArts@SPAC
Your donation will help support future Culinary Arts programs at SPAC.