Summer is when the East End blossoms, not just in gardens and fields, but in kitchens, markets, and restaurants. It’s no wonder this region has become a magnet for chefs, home cooks, and food lovers alike. From Peconic to Montauk, we’re surrounded by rich agricultural heritage and culinary innovation.

This month, we’re thrilled to share a taste of what makes the East End a true foodie destination. Ripe farm fresh produce is easily available, so we tapped a few local foodies and chefs to share some favorites.

Do mark your calendars for the 19th annual North Fork Foodie Tour on Sunday, September 7.  We are participating in the celebration and delighted to host  food demo sessions by our friend, Gail Watson, chef, author, and nutritionist. She will lead a nourishing, flavor-packed culinary experience at Golden Acres Farm, one of our Snail of Approval Award winning farms, read more below. 

A very special thank you to our baker volunteers and our friends at 1610 Sourdough who helped us support CAST’s Feed a Kid’s August summer food drive with freshly baked bread. In an area with so much bounty its heartwarming when folks donate time and resources to help others.  

May the last weeks of August bring you many reasons to celebrate. Take time to slow down, gather around a table of locally grown foods to toast the seasonal joys of living on the East End. 

Maria McBride

Chair, Slow Food East End

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Eat Well. Do Good. Stay Local.

Your guide to food experiences, sustainable living,

and giving back on the East End this August

From hands-on cooking classes to bustling farmers markets, the East End offers countless ways to deepen your connection to food and community. Whether you’re looking to master new recipes, discover fresh ingredients, shop more sustainably, or give back to neighbors in need, this season is full of opportunities to engage all your senses. Our August picks highlight some of the region’s most inspiring chefs, beloved farmstands, sustainability tips, and local food pantries where your support truly makes an impact.

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Cooking Classes & Demos

• Golden Acres Food Demo with Gail Watson | Jamesport:  Buy a day pass to the NoFo Foodie Tour on September 7 and attend our food demos. Chef Gail Watson will share tips and seasonal recipes including how to make easy pickles. Learn how to make the most of abundant local harvest with simple yet elegant, nutritious dishes for everyday and entertaining too.  
• That’s What She Fed | North Fork: A joyful, hands-on experience led by North Fork native and creative cook Christina Serafini. Her small-group classes focus on whole, local ingredients and include inventive menus like Mediterranean mezze, rustic pastas, and foraged flavors.
• Boisseaux Cooking School | Southold: Step inside this charming farmhouse kitchen for immersive classes with cookbook author and foodie, Paula S Croteaux that celebrate local and international country cooking. From classic sauces to seasonal tarts, each session is infused with heritage techniques, local produce, and a deep love of food.
• Japanese Cooking Studio | Laurel and across the East End: Led by a Japanese-born chef, Mamie Nishide, enjoy an intimate class at her studio or she will comes to your home or event space to explore the art of home-style Japanese cooking — think handmade gyoza, umami-rich miso soups, and the perfect bowl of rice. Great for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. 
• The Hampton Maid | Hampton Bays: Known for its legendary breakfasts, The Hampton Maid now offers occasional cooking workshops featuring guest chefs and regional dishes. Expect a warm, community feel with a focus on local seafood, produce, and time-honored recipes.

Specialty Farmstands & Markets

• Sang Lee Farms | Cutchogue: A beloved certified organic farm known for its stunning heirloom vegetables and small-batch condiments made right on site. Don’t miss their signature scallion dressing or seasonal kimchi.
• Marilee’s Farmstand | Sagaponack: A local institution offering some of the East End’s best summer produce. Known for its juicy peaches, sweet corn, and famous Sagaponack potatoes, this stand is a must-stop for farm-fresh flavor.
• Greenport Farmers Market | Fridays | Greenport: A vibrant waterfront market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal finds from across the North Fork. Live music and family-friendly vibes make it a perfect Friday outing.
• Westhampton Beach Farmers Market | Saturdays | Westhampton: This lively market draws growers and makers from all over the East End. Stock up on farm-fresh vegetables, local honey, handmade treats, and more — all just steps from Main Street.
• Sag Harbor Farmers Market | Saturdays | Sag Harbor: Held on Bay Street with stunning harbor views, this bustling market showcases the best of the South Fork: organic produce, small-batch cheeses, local seafood, and much more.

Sustainability Tips

• Recycle Wine Corks: Drop off your natural corks at Macari Vineyards and Wölffer Estate through the Cork Initiative, which gives cork a second life through reuse and recycling.
• Free Compost for Residents: If you live in Southold or Southampton Town, you’re eligible to receive limited quantities of compost and/or woodchips at no cost. Just bring proof of residency to your local transfer station.  

Support Local Food Pantries

• Seasonal demand often rises during the summer, and our local food pantries need extra support. Whether you donate fresh produce, non-perishable items, or your time, every contribution makes a difference. Consider checking their websites or calling ahead to see what items are most needed.
  • CAST | Southold
  • Citizens 4 Humanity |  Riverhead
  • Heart of the Hamptons | Southampton
  • Maureen’s Haven | Riverhead
  • Springs Food Pantry | East Hampton
  • The Retreat Pantry | East Hampton

Who’s Cooking What on the East End?

Meet the makers, bakers, and flavor creators fueling our local food scene

We’re lucky to be surrounded by extraordinary talent: restaurant chefs, private cooks, caterers, culinary instructors, and passionate home foodies. This month, we asked a few of our favorites to share a little of their magic, along with one quick and easy recipe that reflects their passion.

Landscaper turned farmer turned farm chef, Larry Kaiser and his wife bought the historic 1760 Homestead Farm Riverhead imaging a place to farm without  toxins, a place to sell freshly baked goods, host farm fresh barn dinners and cooking lessons that also makes a holistic connection with where the ingredients are grown. Bake your own   

Honey Peach Pie  and if you want to have a full honey experience sign up for his next event on Sept 6: a Honey Harvest and lunch at the farm. 

Trolling for seasonal recipes to share, we reached out to Snail of Approval Awardee, Chef Joseph Realmuto of Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton. A champion of slow-minded eating, Chef Realmuto has long supported local sourcing and, back in 2012, began obtaining his seafood directly from Montauk fishermen and through Dock to Dish, one of the country’s first community-supported fisheries. Enjoy his recipe first featured in the New York Times, highlighting locally abundant dogfish (or substitute fluke, tilefish, or sea bream) for a true taste of the season.

David Morris, one of our Slow Food East End board members, is a passionate self-taught chef and baker who loves experimenting with local ingredients. He recently wowed us with a roasted-tomato bread, a simple go-to recipe for peak tomato season. David highlights the natural sweetness of tomatoes by pairing them with rustic, homemade bread fresh from his oven. His favorite way to enjoy it is with creamy butter and a thick slice of heirloom tomato, an easy dish that celebrates summer at its best.

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Folks to Follow

These local creators blend sustainability with style.

Hungry for fresh inspiration in East End cooking? These local creators are redefining seasonal fare, blending sustainability with style and creativity. From farm-to-table produce to vibrant, globally inspired flavors, they bring passion and expertise to every dish. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just looking to explore new tastes, their recipes, foods, and ideas are sure to delight and inspire.

We’re compiling a longer list of East End foodies, growers, and educators. Reply to this email to share your favorite accounts and suggest other enthusiasts and activists to bring to our attention.

The Nappa Family, @kitchen_on_the_sea 

This family of four focuses on seasonal, seaside cooking with an emphasis on sustainability and simple, flavorful techniques. From foraging to fermentation, this East End account shares practical tips and creative recipes that make coastal cooking approachable for home cooks. Whether you’re new to cooking or looking to deepen your skills, there’s something to inspire every kitchen.

Gail Watson, @ahealthyhunger

Nutrition meets comfort food from local wellness chef Gail Watson, a NYC- and Hamptons-based food writer, photographer, recipe developer, and cookbook author. Blending a love of food, culture, and taste with nutrition expertise, she creates vibrant, flavorful meals that make healthy eating joyful and inspires home cooks to explore and savor every bite.

Sarah Mastracco, @flavorforkfood

Restaurant-trained and globally inspired, Sarah brings her passion for fresh, flavor-packed cooking to her kitchen. With experience at Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, and producing food shows with Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse, she now shares effortless recipes that make everyday meals shine. You can also visit her shop in Greenport and bring a taste of her kitchen home.

Stacey Issacs, @kitchenofyouth

A past Slow Food East End board member, Stacey is a professional chef with a Master’s degree in Oriental Medicine, she published The Chinese Medicine Cookbook and has long shared hundreds of recipes along with her musings and wisdoms.  We love her summer zucchini  Zoodles recipe (photo at the top of this newsletter).  Book a room at her B&B The Harvest Inn, Peconic and wake to an inspired multi-course breakfast of local farm fresh ingredients prepared by Chef Stacey. 

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Get to know us by watching We Are Slow Food East End

Any questions or news to share, email us Slow Food Email

Let’s nourish our connections and connect our food ways together.

We are a 501c3 organization looking to support local growers and

build sustainable networks in our food community.  

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