Quick Details
- Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
- Ages: 21+
- Location: Coltivare Culinary Center Amphitheater, Downtown Ithaca
- Capacity: minimum 15 guests, maximum 30 guests
Join regional Finger Lakes chef Samantha Buyskes and sommelier Laura Winter Falk as they present themed meals that explore the flavors and culture of both local and international cuisine in a fun demonstration format. Chef Samantha is both of Finger Lakes regional ambassador and an avid traveler. Our themed meal presentations has Samantha sharing stories of the people, ingredients, culture and history behind her courses. Laura then artfully pairs each course with selected Finger Lakes or international wines that showcase the premier varieties, producers and styles of the featured region.
Samantha and Laura host this unique experience multiple times throughout the year as ticketed events open to the public. Private groups of a 15 – 30 can request the presentation theme of their choice, as well as the number of courses, and time of day. This dining format is fun and engaging, and perfect for reunions, team-building events, and celebrations.
(note: availability is predicated on the academic schedule and availability of the amphitheater at the Coltivare Culinary Center).
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Peruvian Demonstration and Storytelling DinnerThis special evening celebrated the flavors of Peru after Chef Samantha returned from a life-changing trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Having brought back with her traditional Peruvian foods and spices, Samantha presented a 3-course Peruvian demonstration dinner that was taught to her by Chef Hector Aguillar Valle. Guests discovered foods, traditions, and culture dating back 600 years. Sommelier Laura purveyed Peruvian wines that have been specifically selected to pair with Samantha’s re-creations.~South African Chef & Somm Demonstration DinnerGuests discovered and tasted traditional South African dishes, as Samantha, who was born and raised in South Africa, shared her favorite stories and traditional recipes. This 4-course demonstration dinner was paired with stunning examples of South African wines evoking 400 years of wine making history presented by sommelier Laura .~A Spirited Mexican and Tequila-Paired Demonstration DinnerChef Samantha shared the flavors and culture of traditional Mexican cuisine in this fun demonstration dinner. Over the past few years, Samantha has lead small group culinary tours to Mexico. During the evening Samantha shared the delectable dishes, history and culture discovered from the culinary tours she has led to Mexico over the past years. Sommelier Laura presented a guided pairing of tequila and mezcal drinks and cocktails, along with other traditional Mexican beverages across the 5-course demonstration dinner, and shared the history and role of agave and its libations in the celebrations, rituals and rites of passage of the Mexican people.~Cornell University Reunion Chef and sommelier demonstration lunch featuring food and wine produced by Cornell Alumni.Cornell Reunion guests joined Cornell Alum and Certified Sommelier, Laura ( ’87, ’95, ’97) and Samantha for a 5-course paired tasting lunch featuring dishes created with Cornell alumni-made ingredients and paired with Cornell alumni-made wines and beer. During this demonstration lunch together, Samantha and Laura shared the stories behind the products, the alums who created them, and quality and characteristics they shared to make them perfect for this pairing lunch.
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Samantha Buyskes, originally from South Africa, has been cooking, teaching
and catering in the Finger Lakes for over 20 years. She operates Simply Red Events, hosting public and private groups throughout the Finger Lakes as well as global destinations. Her first restaurant was Simply Red, which opened in Trumansburg in 2002. Simply Red was followed with an extension pop up in Sheldrake Vineyards until 2012.Based out of Geneva, NY, Samantha is highly known for her cutting edge menu work when opening Kindred Fare and H.J Stead. She helped establish the epicurean roots for the locally and regionally sourced food movement. As an extensive traveler, her heart is true to the Finger Lakes, showcasing the best of the best within our region.
Her food features a blend of the region’s seasonal bounty and exciting spice blends from around the globe. She released her first cookbook, Mama Red’s Comfort Kitchen in 2008. Many of her recipes and features have been showcased in local issues of Edible Finger Lakes,the Edible Communities Cookbook and Rochester Farmers Cookbook. In 2011, she had the adventure of competing on Food Network’s Chopped, Season 6 premier episode. Her ingredients were goat’s brains and fish heads. Everyday staples, right? This same year, she was listed in Rochester Magazine as one of the Top 20 women to know. Chef Samantha’s passion for food and community keeps her involved with amazing organizations such as Share our Strength and Foodlink. Back in January 2020, Chef Samantha headed up a team of 7 amazing women from the finger lakes, showcasing some of the best at The James Beard House in NYC.
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You can read Laura’s Bio on this website’s about page: https://winterfalksomm.com/about/