7th Annual Italian Cooking Show on June 5

Who doesn't love Italian food? Better yet, who doesn't love Italian Food when it's cooked right in front of you? 

Next Thursday night, treat yourself to some delicious cuisine while benefiting a great cause at the 7th Annual Italian Cooking Show. This tasteful and well-priced event will be held at the Glen Sanders Mansion at 6:30 PM.

Bring along a few guests and watch as the chefs demonstrate their skills while preparing a special menu. Wine and food samples will be provided and a cash bar will be available throughout.

Maybe you’re not the best chef, or maybe you are! But you will certainly pick up a few tips and perhaps a few new favorite dishes at this event.

Your $40 donation will benefit the American Italian Heritage Museum, a wonderful organization who preserves Italian culture in the Capital Region. For reservations, call 518-374-7262 or visit this website today!

Craft Brew Alliance Beer Pairing Dinner at The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

On Thursday, May 22nd, from 6 pm-9 pm, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen will be hosting a Craft Brew Alliance Beer Pairing dinner. If you haven't been to The Hollow, this is a perfect opportunity to see the many improvements that have been made to the historic space and sample some excellent food and paired brews.

Those interested in attending can pre-purchase tickets at the bar - and get an extra pint of one of the featured beers on the house! Call in your reservation today to (518) 426-8550 or email specialevents@thehollowalbany.com. 3 pints + 3 courses, just $40!

Here's the menu...

1st course:
Roasted + Grilled Spring Vegetables with Widmer Hefe Viniagrette
Beer Pairing: Widmer Hefe

Interior of The Hollow Bar + Kitchen
Photo credit: Times Union

2nd course:
Kona Castaway IPA-glazed Mahi-Mahi, Sautéed Chicken or Veggie Protein Filet, Grilled Tropical Fruit Salsa + served on Spring Risotto Cake.
Beer Pairing: Kona Castaway IPA

3rd course:
House-Made Macaroons with a Dark Chocolate Kona Koko Brown Sauce
Beer Pairing: Kona Koko Brown Ale

Guests that attend the dinner will also receive special pricing on subsequent pints of the Kona and Widmer featured beers for the rest of the evening.

Make your reservations today, as this event is sure to be a sell-out!

Hudson Berkshire Wine Festival Plans Announced

The 2nd annual Hudson Berkshire Wine Festival will take place May 24-25 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, NY.

The 2nd Annual Hudson Berkshire Wine and Food Festival will feature the five beverage trail members - including some of our very own from Albany County - plus other regional wineries, distilleries, cideries and craft breweries. There will also be delicious foods for sale and sampling including gourmet cheeses and creameries, baked goods, grass fed meat producers, crafters, artisans and more!

Johnny and Professor Louie

Throughout the weekend there will be special guest appearances and book signings, seminars of wine and food pairings, home brewing, and cheese making by some of the region’s foremost experts. In addition, Celebrity Chef and Culinary Rocker, Johnny Ciao, will appear on stage to prepare several of his inventive California-style dishes on stage before performing on the harmonica with Blues Hall of Fame Inductees Professor Louie and Miss Marie!

Professor Louie has produced some of the music world's biggest names including New York State's very own legendary group The Band. His music is a delicious blend of Americana, and he will be part of Johnny's Culinary All-Star Band. He performs on piano and accordion accompanied by Miss Marie on vocals and percussion. Johnny will also be on hand at his booth on Saturday and Sunday meeting, greeting, sharing stories and signing cookbooks.

Dates and Times:
Saturday, May 24th from 11 am - 6 pm
Sunday, May 25 from 11 am - 5 pm

Tickets:
A Tasting Ticket includes admission, souvenir tasting glass, and all the wine, beer and spirits you care to taste for one price.
One Day Tasting - $25.00
One Day General Admission - $10.00 (Designated Driver/ Non- Beverage Tasting Tickets)

Click on "Purchase Tickets" tab at the website to buy online www.hudsonberkshirewinefestival.com.

Mac & Cheese... and Wine!

Spend this Saturday on the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail sampling amazing craft beverages AND home-cooked macaroni and cheese dishes specially prepared for this event. Purchase a Trail Passport at any one of the five venues on the beverage trail for just $20 ($5 for designated drivers)!

If you can't make it on the trail this weekend, you can always head to Hudson-Chatham Winery on Wednesday, April 30, from 5:30 - 7:30 for a Hump Day Happy Hour with complimentary wine and food. This celebration of mid-week and mid-spring is sponsored by Ameriprise, who are opening an office in Valatie. So come out, have a glass of wine, and chat with friends old and new. Oh, and there will be door prizes, too! A reservation is requested and can be made by calling the winery at 518-392-9463.

Other events to add to your calendar:

Saturday, May 3: Vertical Tasting of Hudson-Chatham Merlot from 1-3 pm
A very special wine - and food - event where we sample our Merlots from 2007 up to what's currently aging in the barrel. A fun and fabulous way to compare and contrast some great vintages! $25/person ($20 for Case Club members). Reservations required.

Saturday, May 17: Private Wine Dinner from 6:30-9:30 pm
We're pairing our wines with an outrageous "Southern"-themed, multiple-course menu prepared by Chef David Robinson, founder of the incredible Culinary Command program. We guarantee good eating - and lots of wine-pairing discoveries for your own summer menus. Limited seating. Reservations required. ($75/person; $65/person for Case Club members.)

Saturday and Sunday, May 24 & 25: 2nd Annual Hudson Berkshire Wine & Food Festival at the Chatham Fairgrounds, featuring a dozen wineries, multiple distilleries, breweries, and cider makers - as well as lots of food - at the gorgeous and conveniently located Chatham Fairgrounds. For more information, go to www.hudsonberkshireexperience.com.

Great Spirits Win Award for Albany Distilling!

The Albany Distilling Company has reason to be in great spirits. The distillery located next to the Albany Pump Station in Downtown Albany received top honors for several of their products judged at the American Craft Distillers Association’s convention and trade show in Denver and the American Distilling Institute’s annual Craft Spirits Conference in Seattle this past March.

The Distillery was awarded gold medal and bronze mdesl for their Ironweed Rye Whiskey. The company also recieved bronze medals for their Quackenbush Still House Original Albany Rum and Albany Amber Rum, respectively.

Check out the article from Steve Barnes' Table Hopping Blog on Timesunion.com to find out all of the details.