Our multi-city USA Today Wine & Food Experience series is off to a great start this year - my next stop is Las Vegas, Nevada on October 13th. I hope to see you there!
This past weekend, I appeared at the Wine & Food Experience in Brooklyn, New York. More than 2000-visitors attended the interactive food event at the Lefrak Center in Lakeside Prospect Park. Vendor booths were spread throughout the venue. Guests enjoyed watching my cooking demo, stepping into our Martha Stewart Experience Pavilion, seeing samples from all my retail collections, and joining in on the Martha Stewart Crafts project using supplies from my collection at Michaels. Those that signed up for the special ”Meet Martha Experience" sat-in for a wine tasting, my “Good Things” demo and an exclusive book signing.
It was a wonderful day in New York City - enjoy some of our photos. And be sure to follow me on Twitter @MarthaStewart for more details on my upcoming appearances.
At all our USA Today Wine & Food events, visitors can step into this Martha Stewart Experience Pavilion to see all our partnering brands, ask questions about my products and join in on a crafts projects. Guests also got to sit at “my table” and take photos with me – doesn’t this look real?
Just inside the Pavilion is the Wall of Martha featuring our partners, including Macy’s, Michael’s, The Home Depot, QVC, Martha Stewart Wine Co., Martha & Marley Spoon, and more.
In the center of the Pavilion was a table dressed with pieces from my “Farmhouse” Collection exclusively at Macy’s. If you want to see more from this fun and whimsical fall collection, go to the blog I shared earlier this month. http://www.themarthablog.com/2018/09/my-farmhouse-collection-exclusively-at-macys.html
Above the table – a Macy’s gadget chandelier made with handy kitchen supplies also from my collection exclusively at Macy’s.
On another side of the Pavilion we set-up a table where guests could purchase copies of my latest books, “Martha Stewart’s Pressure Cooker” and “Martha Stewart’s Slow Cooker” – it’s never too early to start thinking of your holiday gift giving list. The season will be here in no time.
There was also a display featuring items from my QVC collections – my popular faux bois planters and decorative lanterns, as well as samples of my apparel line. Be sure to see more of my QVC collections on the web site. https://www.qvc.com/martha-stewart/_/N-1z140z9/c.html
I always participate in several events. On this day, I conducted a cooking demo as well as a “Good Things” demo and book signing for special ticket holders.
Here is the Martha Stewart Wine Co. booth, where volunteers poured glasses for guests to sample and enjoy. Go to our web site to see all our wines, including some of my personal favorites. (Photo by Richard Formicola) https://marthastewartwine.com
And this is our Martha & Marley Spoon display. Volunteers were there to answer questions and assist those who signed up for these flavorful meal kits. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
https://martha.marleyspoon.com/
Hundreds of guests attended the event – it was a great time for anyone who has an appreciation for food. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Outside, there were many other wonderful vendors, including this one from LaCroix Water, an American sparkling water that comes in a variety of fresh, fruit inspired flavors. (Photo by Richard Formicola) https://www.lacroixwater.com/
Our friends from Breads Bakery were also there. Breads Bakery is dedicated to producing artisanal, handmade breads using traditional baking techniques and whole grain ingredients. (Photo by Richard Formicola) https://www.breadsbakery.com/
They brought trays and trays of freshly baked goods for guests to sample.
Another popular station for visitors was the Watch Hill Oysters booth. Watch Hill oysters have been farm raised in Winnapaug Pond, Rhode Island for more than 27-years by owner, Jeff Gardner, his family and crew. I love Watch Hill oysters and have served them many times at my own parties. (Photo by Richard Formicola) https://www.watchhilloysters.net/
A team from Rise Kombucha was also at the event. Kombucha is a fermented, slightly alcoholic, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink. Rise also comes in many different flavors. (Photo by Richard Formicola) https://risekombucha.com/
Bricolage is a Brooklyn based restaurant specializing in Vietnamese fare. Many visitors enjoyed their sample bites. (Photo by Richard Formicola) http://bricolage.nyc/
Back inside the Martha Stewart Experience Pavilion, guests lined up to join in on craft projects at the Michael’s table. Lots of volunteers were on-hand to help visitors make personalized aprons using Martha Stewart Craft Paints. (Photo by Richard Formicola) http://www.michaels.com/crafts-and-hobbies/martha-stewart-crafts/938473843
Once visitors were done designing and embellishing their aprons, they were hung out on a line to dry. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
By early afternoon, visitors flocked to the culinary stage for the food demos. I shared dishes from my new “Pressure Cooker” book. I made Artichokes with Provencal Stuffing,
Pot Roast with Dates, Olives and Orange, and
Cinnamon-Caramel Flan. Thomas Joseph, host of our own “Kitchen Conundrums”, joined me for the demo. It was so nice to see such a lively crowd. And of course, all our pots and cooking supplies are from my collection at Macy’s.
This is A.J. Ojeda-Pons, wine director at The Lamb’s Club New York, a restaurant co-owned by my friend, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. A.J. led a fun wine tasting for special ticket holders. (Photo by Richard Formicola) http://www.thelambsclub.com/
Guests were able to sit at tables and enjoy the wines offered for the tasting. It was a very fun and informative and session. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Many guests gathered in front of the various signs to take photos for their own personal social media platforms. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Here is a view looking down at the venue’s grounds. Spanning 26-acres, the Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Center at Lakeside has become a popular and scenic recreational space offering seasonal ice skating, roller skating, biking, boating and more. If you look closely, you can see the lake in the distance. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Here I am with some guests from Citi Group who were enjoying the afternoon with us.
Gift bags were given to those holding special “Meet Martha” tickets. Each bag contained two bottles of Martha Stewart Wine Co. selections, a wine stopper from my collection at Macy’s, a “Celebrations” gift kit from my line at Michael’s, a one-year subscription to our “Living” magazine, and a copy of my book, “Cakes”. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Here I am hosting my “Good Things” demo – I’m sharing my way of peeling garlic using two stainless steel bowls. Everyone loved this “good thing”. Other “good things” included my tips for slicing cherry tomatoes, cooking corn on the cob in the microwave, sugaring bitters molds, and making perfectly glittered champagne glass rims. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Later in the day, I hosted a book signing. I always enjoy thee events because I get to meet so many different people – many who share great stories of how I’ve inspired them to live well over the years. And as you know, whenever I can, I always stop for photos with guests. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
One guest also asked me to sign their newly decorated apron. (Photo by Richard Formicola)
Here are some of the members of my team who joined me at the USA Today Wine & Food Experience in Brooklyn – Rachel Stewart and her son, Beau, Heather Kirkland, Kim Miller-Olko, Judy Morris, Dorian Arrich, Blaze Pennington and Creme Brulee – Bete Noire was busy greeting guests. (Photo by Richard Formicola)