NEWSLETTER
Alton Brown, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, and Geoffrey Zakarian Among Those to Give VIP Presentations
Tickets on sale now for event taking place May 13 at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Sullivan Catskills, New York
Sullivan Catskills, NY - Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts are teaming up to host a first-of-its-kind immersive culinary event coined Catskill Cuisine, taking place May 13, 2023. General admission tickets are available at Catskill-Cuisine.com.
The festival will seamlessly blend cuisine, music, and family-friendly entertainment, while allowing local culinary experts and accomplished American chefs to take center stage. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, will activate its iconic grounds, museum, Event Gallery, Market Sheds, Festival Tents, Terrace Stage and Concourse Walkway with tastings, demos, pairings, shopping and entertainment– all representing the Sullivan Catskills diverse and delicious bounty. There will also be an educational portion for children to learn about local cuisine.
The destination's natural rivers, micro-organic farms and forests serve as endless inspiration for the exploding culinary scene, driven by a wealth of local sustainably-sourced products, fresh-from-the-farm produce, and a range of quality craft beverages.
Celebrity chefs Alton Brown, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, and Geoffrey Zakarian will give VIP presentations in the Event Gallery. General Admission ticket holders can expect appearances from Melissa Ben-Ishay, Cesare Casella, Saul Montiel, Ayesha Nurdjaja, and Labelle Farms internationally renowned chefs. Plus demonstrations by chefs from Foster Supply Hospitality; John Botti and Dan Gonzalez from The Eldred Preserve; Claire Marin of Catskill Provisions; Seminary Hill Executive Chef Jack Tippett; Jean Paul Medina of Callicoon Hills; Neversink General Store’s Jamie Stankevicius; Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark Executive Chef Kevin Mcafee; Resorts World Catskills Executive Chef Ted Iwachiw, and more to come. A full schedule and lineup of chefs will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are proud to unify the local and regional community to showcase the best in the culinary landscape,” said Roberta Byron-Lockwood, Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association President & CEO. “Our county’s distinct energy and thriving culinary scene will be on full display, just as we gear up for the bustling spring and summer season.”
With experiences suited to a variety of interests and audiences, ticket offerings include:
- General Admission: cooking demonstrations, tastings, and appearances from notable chefs; access to book signings and merchandise; live music; shopping and sampling at local and regional vendors; and access to the kids zone.
- VIP Gastronome Pass (sold out): standing room access to the Event Gallery, which will be transformed into a culinary theater with celebrity chefs Alton Brown, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, and Geoffrey Zakarian preparing dishes inspired by the Catskills; as well as early entry; premium parking; admission to the Museum at Bethel Woods; as well as everything in GA.
- Super-VIP Connoisseur Pass (sold out): all of the GA and VIP benefits, plus reserved seating; admission to a VIP lounge that includes food samplings, live music, and “Meat” & Greet opportunities with the celebrity chefs; super premium parking; exclusive commemorative swag; and a docent-led Behind the Scenes tour of the Museum.
“We’re thrilled to host the inaugural Catskill Cuisine Festival and celebrate the bounty of the region with the community and visitors,” said Bethel Woods Center for the Arts CEO Eric Frances. "With the backdrop of our breathtaking and historic grounds, this event promises to be a unique experience that can only be captured in the Sullivan Catskills.”
Between 2,000-3,000 people from the New York metropolitan area and Sullivan County are expected to attend the inaugural Catskill Cuisine event, bringing together the best in the culinary landscape and connecting visitors with local makers in the beer, wine, cider, spirits and food industries.
Contact:
Roberta Byron-Lockwood, President & CEO, Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association; rbl@scva.net
Corey Finjer Bennett, Founder, Core Creative; corey@corecreativenyc.com
Sabrina Christiansen, Publicist, Bethel Woods; sabrina@rosengrouppr.com
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About Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association
Today, people are flocking to the Sullivan Catskills — creating an influx of development, a growing arts and culinary scene, and a wealth of luxury infusing the destination — expansively bringing a cool cultural identity to the county. Once a summer spot for New York City dwellers, it has now evolved into a year-round destination for visitors throughout the world. Formerly known as the Borscht Belt, where famed comedians got their start at a range of renowned resorts and most notably home to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the Sullivan Catskills has reemerged as one of the fastest-growing and most desired destinations in New York State. Located only 90 minutes out of Manhattan, the Sullivan Catskills has been reinvented with active village main streets, breathtaking views, fresh Catskill water, vibrant music venues, unique shopping boutiques, award-winning craft beverages, distinctive resorts, hotels, luxurious inns and prized bed & breakfasts, as well as a bustling culinary scene. The result is a destination set apart as a progressive and sustainable place to stay, explore and celebrate. For more information, please visit https://sullivancatskills.com
About Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts inspires, educates, and empowers individuals through the arts and humanities by presenting a diverse selection of culturally rich performances, popular artists, and community and educational programming. Located 90 miles from New York City at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival in Bethel, NY, the lush 800-acre campus includes a Pavilion Stage amphitheater with seating for 16,000, an intimate 422-seat indoor Event Gallery, the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods, and a Conservatory for arts education programming. Through the in-depth study and exhibition of the social, political, and cultural events of the 1960s, as well as the preservation of the historic site of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, Bethel Woods educates individuals about the issues and lessons of the decade while inspiring a new generation to contribute positively to the world around them. The not-for-profit organization relies on the generous support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to develop and sustain programs that improve the quality of life in the region and beyond. For more information, please visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.org