SWEET-TALKING DOVER PLAINS
Crown Maple hosted the first Chronogram Conversations networking and community discussion event of the new year at their state-of-the-art facility on January 13. Attendees arrived to find a local craft food, beverage, and artisan marketplace spread out across the maple syrup facility's evaporator room. Tasters from Salt Point Mead, Milea Winery, Sprout Creek Farm cheese, Denning's Point spirits, and Breezy Hill Orchards cider were in abundance. Amy Lewis-Sweetman chatted about her reclaimed farm sculptures and Mena Messina demonstrated jewelry design and making.
Between tours of the maple processing facility, the culinary team at Crown Maple hand-passed the ultimate breakfast kabob: waffle and fried chicken skewers, drizzled with maple syrup, of course.
The panel discussion featured a slew of local luminaries in the food, beverage, and tourism industries in Dutchess County. Brian K. Mahoney, editorial director of Chronogram, moderated the conversations that weaved in themes of tourism and the sustainability of farm culture in the Hudson Valley. Sharing their insight and eloquence were: Josh Viertel (Harlem Valley Homestead); Elizabeth Ryan (Breezy Hill Orchards), Will Vincent (Brookby Farm), Susan Johnson (Denning's Point Distillery), Hutch Kugeman (Culinary Institute of America), Ralph Erenzo (Tuthilltown Distillery) and Mary Kay Vrba (Dutchess Tourism).
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities at future Chronogram Conversations events, email [email protected].
