Kosherfeast 2014

Last evening, once again, Esti Berkowitz and Roberta Scher (unfortunately Roberta was unable to attend) hosted their annual Kosherfeast. This year it was held at the old Streit’s Matzoh factory in the Lower East Side.

We met a lot of old friends and new faces…

Esti Berkowitz and Naomi Stein Nachman welcoming the crowd and opening the awards ceremonies.

Brent Delman, from thecheeseguy.com, purveyor of some of the most delicious cheeses from the US, Europe and Latin America…

Brent Delman and his award

Jeff Nathan from Abigael’s Restaurant, pioneer of kosher TV cooking shows and Estee Kafra, cookbook author…

Awaiting their awards

Shlomo Klein (Chief Marketing Officer) and Shifra Klein (Editor-in-Chief) from Joy of Kosher magazine…

The couple behind Joy of Kosher magazine’s everyday functioning.

Herzog Wine Cellars‘ Winemaker extraordinaire…

Joe Hurliman

Mindy Erreich, media person, from Prime Hospitality Group…

Accepting the award for her company.

Chef Sara Black…

Caterer (Asparagus Catering) and Private Chef

Cookbook author and the Pastry Chef who taught us how to bake with friends…

Elizabeth Kurtz (Gourmet Kosher Cooking), Pastry Chef Paula Shoyer, Kim Amzallag (Forwards‘ Advertising Manager)

We can’t possibly put up every photo, nor can we remember every person that was there but, notable among many other attendees, were Menachem Lubinsky of Lubicom – the brain behind the annual Kosherfest, Jay Buchsbaum of Royal Wine Corporation, Alison Nathan of Abigael’s, Gloria Kobrin (Kosher by Gloria), Asher and Judith Girshberg of De La Rosa, David Mintz from Toffutti, and many, many more.

‘Twas an evening to remember!

CS

Pre-Kosherfest Kosher Feast 2013

This past Monday, October 28th, my co-blogger SYR and I attended the Pre-Kosherfest Kosher Feast 2013. It was held at J Soho -formerly Jezzebel (323 West Broadway, off Canal Street, New York, NY 10013 – Tel: 646,410.0717) – and was organized by Roberta Scher (Koshereye) and Esti Berkowitz (Primetime Parenting). The beautiful, contemporary, decor would have made it a perfect venue for the event.

I seem to remember different faces in Leonardo Da Vinci’s original, I’m sure neither Woody Allen, nor Albert Einstein, nor Daniel Radcliffe and the others were there. Hmmnn… maybe my memory is just playing tricks on me?

The evening started at 5:00 pm with networking and a wine tasting presented by the Royal Wine Corporation under the able guidance of Shlomo Blashka. Throughout the evening, both for SYR and I, the undisputed favorite wine was Pacifica‘s Cabernet-Merlot 2011. It shows blackberry, dark chocolate, toast and a hint of vanilla, on the palate it offers a soft structure with firm tannins, silky smooth and a long finish. The awardees were called out during the meal… Old friends, familiar faces and the faces behind famous names were just some ingredients contributing to the evening’s success.

Lévana, SYR, Shifra Klein (Joy of Kosher Magazine), Alessandra Rovati (Dinner in Venice) and Gil Marks (Encyclopedia of Jewish Food)

Awards were given to some of the pioneers in the kosher industry such as: Susie Fishbein, Laura Frankel, Norene Gilletz, David Herzog, Gil Marks, Lévana Kirschenbaum, Menachem Lubinsky, Joan Nathan and more.

Lara Frankel (Shallots – Chicago and New York) currently Executive Chef at Spertus Kosher Catering Featuring Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago

Susie Fishbein

Old and new friends, good conversation, superb wines a perfect recipe for a meal and a memorable evening.

CS

Bitayavon – A Talk with Shifra Klein

Shifra Klein will be our guest, this evening, at 8:00pm (Eastern Time) on BlogTalkRadio.com. Shifra is Editor-in-Chief of Bitayavon, a magazine for the Jewish homemaker. The publication first appeared a year ago and has since grown, in its coverage, in its format, in its photography, getting better with every issue.

Tonight, we will discuss the magazine and its underlying philosophy, what makes its staff tick (starting with the Editor-in-Chief, of course)  and where they expect to go next.

Meanwhile, in case you missed it, why not listen to our archived interview with June Hersh, from last week? June is the author of Recipes Remembered: A Celebration of Survival and Kosher Carnivore. She speaks from the heart about food and its deeper meaning, the deeper significance to us – as Jews – as a record of our history, as part of a chain that links us to an almost forgotten moment of time that ended all too tragically. The Holocaust survivors she interviewed have, against all odds, succeeded in rebuilding their shattered lives, proving that while our enemies can cause us terrible damage, they will never conquer us, they will never destroy us. In her second book, Kosher Carnivore, she brings us delicious recipes sure to whet the palate of everyone but the most determined, hardened, vegetarian.

Please listen in to our show this evening on BlogTalkRadio.com, this evening at 8:00pm (Eastern Time), we’ll be waitin’ for ya!

CS