The 25th annual Taste of New Paltz event brought food vendors from all over the Hudson Valley and beyond. The all-day event hosted over 60 different vendors, including popular New Paltz restaurants like P & G’s, Main Street Bistro and McGillicuddy’s. The event not only provided a massive variety of food and drinks for eventgoers to choose from, but exciting new exposure for caterers and restaurants alike. Many of the stations offered two or three dollar samples of their product so people could try as much food as possible. The event organizers enlisted the help of many volunteers to be at waste stations to educate people on what kind of waste goes where. Featured here are four different vendors we talked to and ate at while at the event.
Hurds Family Farm has been operating for over 20 years in Modena, NY. They grow and sell all kinds of apple products ranging from apple pie to apple cider doughnuts. They have tough competition from Tantillo’s Farm, who were awarded best apple cider doughnuts from Hudson Valley Magazine, but Taylor and Grennan are convinced theirs are better. The farm also hosts events for kids to come to the farm and learn about picking and growing crops, as well as have playtime.
Founded two years ago, the Craft Beer Guild is a major distributor of craft beer for the Hudson Valley. Located on Putt Corners Road, the guild offers an astounding amount of beers from Belgium and Germany, but also offers local brews. McCoy said the distributor prides itself in only delivering quality products. They also offered ciders, imported beers and a soda for people not yet of age.
Brothers Darryl and Ryan Schoonmaker have been working together as the Brotherly Grub BBQ for over two years. They run a mobile operation that caters for large events such as parties and weddings and will stop by any farmer’s market they can. Just three dollars can get you a single pork rib and from personal experience I must admit it was delicious. Darryl Schoonmaker said the secret of great BBQ ribs starts with a good rub. “We use a well balanced rub with a good combination of sugar and pepper,” he said. “It’s called the Brotherly Grub Rub.” Schoonmaker also explained that it is important to slowly smoke the meat so it’s tender and easy to eat.
Renee Mitchell and Meghan Wagner took over ownership of Village Pizza last year. Located on Route 32, Village Pizza offers all kinds of slices with a variety of toppings. However, on a hot summer day Mitchell and Wagner focused on providing different flavors of ice cream, including the popular apple cider ice cream. According to Mitchell, Village Pizza doesn’t draw as many students as similar restaurants on Main Street. They’re trying to change that by offering deals such as four dollar pitchers of beer every day from 3 to 6 p.m. Mitchell also mentioned that they serve more than just pizza, including pasta, sandwiches and omelettes.
Photos by David Khorassani