Those who cook together, stay together. Well, okay, maybe getting cozy in the kitchen isn’t the ultimate secret to a long relationship, but… it sure can be fun with bonus delicious results.
And this weekend at the Ram’s Head Inn (108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island, 631-749-0811), it can also help woman entering epicurean careers get a scholarship boost.
For the second time, Ram’s Head owner Aandrea Carter is hosting an all-star cooking, oyster shucking, cocktail making and wine schooling session from the pages of “Stirring the Pot: Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Cookbook,” the proceeds of which go to fund the scholarship program of the New York chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an all-female organization of culinary, wine, spirits, hospitality and nutrition professionals whose core mission is to support and promote women the field.
The jam-packed late-afternoon event features Chopped champion Silvia Baldini, food historian and expert Meryl Rosofsky, oyster pro and founder of Cornell Cooperative’s SPAT project Kim Tetrault and North Fork winemaker Robin Epperson-McCarthy, all of whom belong to the New York chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. There will also be a bonus caviar demo by Chiara Carfi of Calvisius Caviar.
You won’t just be able to see Baldini, Tetrault, Rosovky and Epperson-McCarthy demonstrate their Individual specialties, you’ll get to sample them, too. The afternoon kicks off with a Grand Dame Cocktail, followed by:
- radicchio salad with watermelon radishes, basil and roasted garlic vinaigrette
- lobster and shrimp spaghetti with Madras curry sauce
- rich and creamy vegan chocolate mousse
Epperson-McCarthy will be bringing bespoke wines to pair and Rosofky’s has crafted a special Valentine cocktail, “Warm Your Coecles,” a riff on a classic Hot Buttered Rum that she’s dubbed, “a liquid love letter to the Ram’s Head Inn” and nod to the island’s rum-running history.
The event, complete with tales of aphrodisiac legend and lore from the kitchen, runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and signed copies of the book will be available for purchase on site (an excellent Valentine if there ever were one). Tickets are $75 for the demo and tasting, or $150 for the demo, tasting and dinner to follow. Get yours here.
