AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Restaurant Associates News

Cafe57 Sees New Growth in Farmer's Market

NEW YORK, May 6 PRNewswire — Cafe57, the 340-seat corporate cafe located in the Hearst Tower (www.hearst.com ) is taking "local" to the next level with the reintroduction of its annual Farmer's Market, scheduled to make an early debut this year in May.

This season, the "Green Market" will be offered every Wednesday from the beginning of May through Mid-October, capturing local Spring, Summer and Fall produce: BRINGING THE MARKET TO YOU! Cafe57 offers "local" produce from vendors in PA, NY, NJ, and incorporates the names of each participating local vendor onto its signage.

Guests may be familiar with Cafe57's "Green Market," however they can expect to see new "growth" this year. In addition to the standard offerings, the cafe will be featuring one local vendor each week at the Farmer's Market in an effort to integrate the local theme and support local vendors. In turn, these vendors will educate guests by introducing and sampling their products. Names to look out for include Sullivan Street Bakery, Tumbador Chocolates, Nettle Meadow Cheeses & JKings showcasing superior quality local breads, chocolates, cheeses & produce.

The goal at Cafe57 is to stand by a promise to serve fresh, wholesome, seasonal food while supporting the local community and building relationships with local farmers. To achieve this mission, the cafe features local produce, meat and poultry, baked goods and beverages wherever possible. Items that are identified as local are from farms that are no more than 150 miles from New York City.

Each Wednesday morning, Executive Chef Jayson Brown, with 2 helpers, makes his way through the Union Square Greenmarket. There, he purchases local produce from a variety of vendors, selecting only the freshest, most seasonal items for the cafe. Greenmarket vendors know him well; they often save him flats of wild strawberries, Heirloom tomatoes and the biggest, juiciest blackberries.

Once back at the Tower, seasonal fruits and vegetables in a festival of colors and textures are arranged in natural baskets and displayed on two 6- foot tables dressed in burlap linens, making for a most aesthetically pleasing entrance to the cafe and enhancing the overall dining experience at Hearst. Cafe57 also integrates menu items with the Green Market and Food Festivals, featuring seasonal salads and desserts such as Heirloom Tomato, Watermelon & Basil Salad; Peach & Blackberry Crumble; Yellow Tomato Gazpacho; Roasted Corn & Avocado Salad. These items are available at the table next to the Farmer's Market as well as at the Antipasti and International Stations.

The Farmer's Market has received extremely positive feedback. Often the same guests come down to Cafe57 every Wednesday at 11:30 am to see what local finds the chef has brought back from the market that day. The "Green Market" is certainly an added value to guests. Not only do Hearst employees frequent Cafe57 for their daily meals, but during summer months, they also look forward to the "Green Market" where they can purchase the best local, seasonal produce to use for preparing meals at home.

2008 will bring added motivation to buy local and help grow local businesses.

SOURCE Restaurant Associates

Send this news item to a friend.

Print This Page

Search Our News Using Google Search

Can't find what you want? Try using Google:

Google