culinography

Kebab Night

2012-02-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors recently invited us over for Kebab night. In California in February, it's easy to grill outside and I'm convinced everything tastes better when cooked outdoors! This was a seriously tasty meal...beef kebab served with a plate of herbs (radishes, mint, green onions), homemade babganoush (made from grilled whole eggplants), rice purposefully browned on the bottom of the pan producing delicious crunchy bits, yogurt, and then fresh fruit for dessert. Huge sheets of lavash bread kept everything warm as it came off the grill. Also, I am now obsessed with the red powdered spice called sumac, which was used to season the meat.

NY Photo Fest: Group Show "Feast Your Eyes"

2012-01-13T10:59:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to announce that the two Forest Feast images above, plus a still life I did on Passover Seder have been chosen to be part of an exhibition going up this month in Brooklyn, NY at the Powerhouse Area as part of the NY Photo Festival.
More info, click HERE.
The show is up through Jan 27th and features food photography by several artists.

Solo Exhibit at The French Culinary Institute in SoHo

2011-12-23T15:16:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that I just put up a solo show at the International Culinary Center, home of the French Culinary Institute in SoHo, NYC. It will be up through March 2012 and showcases dishes by several different chefs.

Charcuterie by Scott Anderson at Elements in Princeton NJ

by Chef Dan Kluger at the Core Club (now of ABC Kitchen)

by Chef Kevin Sbraga (Top Chef winner)

Invisible by Pastry Chef Elizabeth Falkner at Orson in SF

Red by Pastry Chef Will Goldfarb at Room 4 Dessert in NYC

by Chef Daniel Humm at Eleven Madison Park

Foie Gras Taco by Pastry Chef Pichet Ong at P*ong, NYC

by the Voltaggio brothers at The James Beard House

by Pastry Chef Alex Espiritu at the Ritz in SF (he's now with Valrhona)

Tasting of Rhubarb by Pastry Chef Johnny Iuzzini at Jean Georges

Introducing FOREST FEAST!

2011-12-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that I have started a new project called Forest Feast. It is a collection of photographic recipe illustrations and presented on my new blog.

Please take a look!

http://forestfeast.tumblr.com/

(click each below to enlarge)

See more on Forest Feast!

Elements Fall Menu

2011-12-08T13:10:00.000-08:00

Beet Soup


Eggplant Soup

Shortribs

Skipjack Tuna

Swordfish

Blackberry dessert

Pumpkin Cheesecake


Bitter Root Cocktail

Dishes by Chef Scott Anderson at Elements in Princeton, NJ.
Cocktail by Jamie Dodge

Photographs by Erin Gleeson

My Photos on Top Chef Desserts!

2011-09-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Congrats to pastry chef Pichet Ong who was just on the new season of Top Chef Desserts. I have done some photography for Pichet and I was so happy that some of my photos of his desserts were featured on the show. Watch the clip below:

Pichet's Foie Gras Taco:

his Warm Date cake:

Check out more photos I have taken at his restaurants P*ong and The Village Tart in Manhattan- he is so talented and makes the most beautiful dishes that are equally delicious. Click here to watch Pichet making a half-breakfast, half-dessert dish on the show.

Dinner with Top Chef Winner Kevin Sbraga

2011-08-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun spending 3 hours shooting in the kitchen at elements recently with chef/owner Scott Anderson and guest chef Kevin Sbraga, who won Top Chef last season. Seriously, these guys were so great- talented, warm, nice....I have been in some stressful kitchens, and this was not one of them! It was a special prix-fixe dinner event, scroll down for the menu. I got to try a few of the courses- absolutely delicious!

Courses:
1st: Jersey Blue Crab
2nd: Griggstown Baby Pheasant
3rd: Z Food Farm Eggplant
4th: Kindai Bonito
5th: Piping Goat Goat
6th: Coconut Mousse
7th: Cherry Coke Float

Congrats to Chef Scott Anderson!

2011-07-05T15:16:00.001-07:00

I have loved shooting for Chef Scott Anderson at elements over the last few years (see photos above, and on their site) and I am so happy to hear he has won this award. He's very talented. Congrats, Scott!

Harry Benson

2011-06-24T09:23:00.000-07:00

I had the great pleasure (and pressure!) of photographing the legendary photographer Harry Benson this week for the Art Institute. What a sweet man! I had just read the article in the Times last weekend about the time Benson spent photographing Bobby Fischer and it was amazing to hear Benson elaborate in person on those experiences.

Gilt Taste Launch Party

2011-05-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

This week, Gilt launched a new food website, Gilt Taste. I attended the launch party in Chelsea and finally got to meet Ruth Reichl, whom I've admired for years. I have read all her books, was a huge Gourmet fan and I'm sure Gilt Taste has great things to come since she's on board as a consultant. Gilt Taste is an interactive online magazine and gourmet food shop where you can both read about and purchase artisan products. Read more about it here.

Ruth Reichl (L) and Susan Lyne (R), Chairman of Gilt Groupe, introducing the new site

charcuterie station

gourmet pop tarts

Artisinal cheese station, by Murray's

cheese by Murray's

Chef Eric Ripert

Lollipop Installation by www.gastronomista.com

photos by erin gleeson

My Rooster picture in Edible this month!

2011-05-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

to read the article, please click here.

Apple Blossom & Asparagus Season

2011-04-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

After a shoot in New Jersey today, we stopped off at Terhune Orchards near Princeton. Having grown up in an apple orchard, I was craving the smell of apple blossoms, which are beautifully blooming this week! The fragrance is stunning- there's nothing like it. We also passed a patch of "pick-your-own" asparagus which is in season right now. We brought some home for dinner and roasted it- delicious!

Asparagus

Asparagus Field

Apple Boxes

Apple Blossoms

The best smell in the world!

Recipe Diagram: Frogs’ Legs Provencale Paysanne

2011-04-08T10:03:00.000-07:00

I have started a new project where I "diagram" old recipes from the 1950's that aren't so common anymore. Below is the recipe for Frogs’ Legs Provencale Paysanne from
The Gourmet Cookbook, 1950 edition, a book meant for the amateur at-home cook.

Here's the picture that's given in the cookbook:

Recipe reads:

My diagram of the recipe (click to enlarge image):

Sending Love to Japan

2011-03-17T18:20:00.000-07:00

In this time of absolute tragedy, please consider sending some love (and money) to Japan. One option is to purchase a print by Japanese-born artist Takahiro Kaneyama (who went to my alma mater, SVA). He is donating five of his photographs of Japanese seaside villages to benefit earthquake relief.

100 % of the proceeds will go to Japan Earthquake Relief Fund set up by Japan Society, Inc, NYC. Prints are only $60!! For those who wish to purchase the prints, please email relief@miyakoyoshinaga.com. More info on purchasing, here.

Lunch at Google!

2011-03-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

I had a fun lunch at Google in NYC last week. A friend who works there invited me. It was delicious! I can't believe their employees get to eat like this daily. Sure, it's a big cafeteria, but they have a chef who sends out the (lengthy, gourmet!) menu daily. I want to shoot the Google cookbook- I loved it!

Middle Eastern Inspired Dessert

2011-02-01T08:35:00.001-08:00

Milk chocolate-tahini bar, chocolate-nougat profiterole with tahini creme and a tahini katmer.

This was served at a dinner at the James Beard House in January 2011 by Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick of Oleana Restarant and Sofra Bakery in Camrbridge, MA. Sommelier Theresa Paopao of Momofuku beautifully chose the Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout this Middle Eastern inspired dessert was paired with. Delicious!

photo by erin gleeson

Wine Spectator

2011-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

I am excited to have my first photo in Wine Spectator (Dec 2010 issue)! It is a portrait of Chef Scott Anderson at Elements in Princeton who talks about pairing Spaghetti Carbonara with Beaujolais. Click here for the article.

David Chang at Ma Peche

2010-12-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of shooting David Chang at an event for the James Beard House at Ma Peche last week. I'm a fan.

Happy Hanukkah!

2010-12-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

photo © erin gleeson

Our Thanksgiving Turkey

2010-11-30T21:46:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! This was the turkey my family ate in Santa Barbara this year. We BBQed it and I snapped a quick shot of it outside before it was taken in to the table.

Two FIT Faculty Exhibits

2010-11-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

I will be participating in 2 upcoming faculty exhibits at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I teach photography:

Lightness
Nov. 13- Dec. 11
Opening Reception 11/16 from 6-8pm
The Museum at FIT
Shirley Goodman Resource Center (E Building)
Seventh Avenue at 27th Street

Romancing the Common Object
Opening Reception Monday 11/29, 5 – 7 pm
9th floor C building, Board Room
(show will be up through Fall 2011)

FIT Student Show

2010-11-16T08:54:00.001-08:00

photo by Nelson Echevveria

20 of my students are showing work in the annual Fall BFA exhibit at FIT. The opening is tonight but the show will be up through December...hope you can stop by!
http://www.fitbfaphoto.com/insideoutside/

Culinary Installation

2010-11-05T13:09:00.000-07:00

These photos are part of an ongoing project I call "Culinary Installation".

All the food that came in our CSA box a couple weeks ago:

I started these in Israel over the summer using local produce grown in the country:

These grapes hang against the wall that separates the West Bank from Israel. Grapes are religiously and (agri)culturally significant to this land and to the people on both sides of the wall. The hebrew graffiti text says "rabbinical".

Recent Work

2010-11-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Thai Dinner Party

2010-11-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

My friends Josh and Matt recently went traveling around Southeast Asia for 6 weeks. They ate incredible things, asked people how they were made, took notes and came back to prepare their favorite dishes for us. As dinner guests we were encouraged to participate and help with the preparation. I learned how to make pad thai and mango lassi, and ate raw tamarind for the first time ever! Delicious and amazingly presented.

Guests participated in the making of the meal:

Here, Courtney creates summer rolls in rice paper as Matt serves rose to guests:

Tamarind tastes like dates a bit. Served along side a blended green tea drink:

The table was decorated with tamarind for snacking, various types of iced tea and small gas lanterns that the buys picked up on their trip:

Coconut lemongrass soup was served along side rice:

Meagan making mango lassi:

Fish that was deep fried:

After dinner we watched a slideshow of photos from their trip:

photos © eringleeson.com

Cocktails!

2010-10-11T18:51:00.001-07:00

A cocktail party in Manhattan last week.

Shanah Tova!

2010-09-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana is this week. Best wishes for a sweet new year!
photo © erin gleeson

Fizzy Lizzy

2010-08-24T20:21:00.001-07:00

I am excited to have been been doing some photography recently for Fizzy Lizzy, the delicious natural drink company. Below are some of the shots I've done for the company's advertising.

Recent Shoot: NY Congressional Candidate

2010-08-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

I recently photographed Joyce Johnson for the promotional materials in her Congressional race against Charlie Rangel. Best of luck, Joyce!

Shakshouka in Israel

2010-08-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

Shakshouka, an Israeli breakfast classic.

What's On My Kitchen Counter Now

2010-08-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Greenmarket white peaches, nectarines, yellow & red heirloom tomatoes, blackberries, chai tea cookies a friend made, pomegranite vases we picked up on trips to Israel.

Peach Basil Cocktail at the James Beard House

2010-08-11T19:01:00.001-07:00

Chef Tom Carlin from Gladstone Tavern in NJ created this delectable treat.

Lunch with Caroline at Havana Central

2010-08-11T18:50:00.000-07:00

Havana Central
(near Union Square in NYC)
food: not so good.
drinks: delicious!

(photo taken by my iphone)

Almonds in Israel

2010-07-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

Almonds (in shell) for sale at the outdoor market in Tel Aviv.

Figs, Dates and Olives in the Holy Land

2010-07-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

Israel is full of fig, date and olive trees. Really- I see them everywhere! I love the way the air smells when passing a fig tree- there's nothing like it. Delicious!

Summer Radishes

2010-07-15T05:03:00.000-07:00

I found these beautiful radishes at the shouk (outdoor market) in Tel Aviv this week. I like to cut them in half and top them with a dab of really good butter and a sprinkling of sea salt. Great with a martini!

Gala Opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival

2010-07-09T02:47:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to the Gala Opening of the Jerusalem Film Festival which was an incredible event! For more info about the film that was screened, La Rafle, starring Jean Reno, click here.

The film was screened in the 500 year old "Sultan's Pool" which has a view of the walls of the old city of Jerusalem. Stunning.

iPhone photo above © erin gleeson

Group Exhibition "Consumption"

2010-07-07T12:43:00.000-07:00

I am excited that my piece "Carrot Cake House" was chosen by NYC gallery owner Brian Paul Clamp of ClampArt to be a part of a food inspired group exhibit that is up right now at Center for Fine Art Photography. The exihibit can be seen online here.

Consumption
Juror: Brian Paul Clamp
July 2 – July 24, 2010
Center for Fine Art Photography
Fort Collins, CO
www.c4fap.org

Fruit and Vegetables at the Shook

2010-07-07T02:24:00.000-07:00

This wall I passed in Yaffa says, "Fruit and Vegetables at the Shook". A shook is a big outdoor market that sells not only produce but meat, cheese, bread, spices, housewares, clothes, shoes and pretty much anything you can think of. The shook in Tel Aviv is amazing and much cheaper than a grocery store. Israel is a tiny country- only 260 miles at its longest, 60 miles at its widest, and between 3 and 9 miles at its narrowest. I love that most of the produce at the shook comes from Israel; eating locally has never been so easy (or affordable)!

Israeli Breakfast

2010-07-03T02:22:00.000-07:00

Perhaps my two favorite things in the world are beaches and breakfast- both of which are amazing in Tel Aviv. Anywhere you go you can find “Israeli Breakfast” which consists of the following standard combo:

- Eggs (however you want them, including omelet)

- A few types of cheeses (usually some sort of salty feta, a couple reminiscent of swiss or havarti and some dollops of a very light and creamy cheese, almost like sour cream or whipped cream cheese, often blended with herbs)

- A salad made of finely chopped cucumber, onion, tomato, red bell pepper and carrot- vinaigrette on the side

- Olives

- Warm bread with butter and jam

- Grapefruit juice

A morning ocean swim followed by this meal = bliss.

Bete’Avon! (Hebrew for Bon Appetit!)

(Above photo taken by my iPhone!)

2010-07-01T03:56:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Tel Aviv! We've rented an apartment and I am excited to be spending a whole month in Israel this summer. We will spend most of the time in Tel Aviv but take a few overnight trips to the North and Desert. Stay posted for pictures of mediterranean beaches, outdoor markets, memorable meals and other adventures!

Happy summer~

Erin

The Inspiration Collective

2010-06-28T11:36:00.001-07:00

I am so happy to be the featured artist on the Inspiration Collective this week. The Inspiration Collective is a weekly column featuring interviews with emerging artists by writer Lindsay Champion.
Click here to read my interview.

New York Times Dining Section Today!

2010-06-09T08:42:00.001-07:00

Check out a story I shot for the Times that came out today on ancient manna:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/dining/09manna.html?ref=dining

Passover

2010-04-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on a series of still life images that represent food eaten during Jewish Holiday Meals. This image represents a Passover Seder. Pesach Sameach!

Top Chef's Voltaggio brothers at the James Beard House

2010-03-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

I am lucky enough to eat at the James Beard House fairly often, and this was honestly one of the best meals I've had there. Innovative, surprising, delicious....satisfying like comfort food, but too out of the box to be considered that. I often had no idea what I was eating (even after reading the menu), but I didn't care because it was so tasty.
Michael and Bryan Voltaggio cooked together for a prix fixe seating of 75 people and I snapped these photos in the kitchen between courses. They alternated dishes and shared the small kitchen with the staff they'd flown in (Michael from CA, Brian from MD).

The wine (and beer and sparkling sake) pairings were clever and interesting. I mean, Flemish Red Ale followed by Malbec? Odd and yet it worked so well.

Bryan's Wagyu Beef Cheek that was cooked for 16 hour sous vide was so so tender...AMAZING. I basically died over the truffle brioche roll that Michael made and asked for a second one.

Shima Aji:

Sturgeon:

Pastrami Pigeon:

Wagyu Beef Cheek:

It was a warm evening, so some courses were plated outside:

Grating fresh wasabi:

Michael did the 1st dish, and then they alternated every other course:

To see all the photos I took, click here.

The Village Tart

2010-03-10T12:31:00.000-08:00

Chef Pichet Ong's newest venture The Village Tart, a bakery, café and wine bar in SoHo has more than just tarts! Reasonably priced sweet and savory dishes are delectable and the place has an adorable french vibe, decorated with antiques and cozy booths for lounging. Among my favorites were the pear brie tart and the gnudi.

The Village Tart
86 Kenmare Street at Mulberry
New York City
www.villagetart.com

James Beard House Exhibit

2010-01-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that my exhibit at the James Beard House is now up and will be on through the end of February. It features about 20 of my photos, selections from 2 series- desserts and photos from my Mom's garden.

Viewing is by appointment only and prints will be for sale starting at $200.

Click below for an artist statement and show description:

The James Beard Foundation is a non-profit culinary organization based in NYC that I have been volunteering at for the last few years. The brownstone in Greenwich Village is the former home of James Beard and now hosts weekly dinners prepared by various chefs. Proceeds help aspiring chefs attend culinary school, among other things. For more info, click here.

More from Mom's Garden

2009-12-25T06:23:00.000-08:00

In my efforts to show where food comes from, I have been photographing food bearing plants in my family's garden in Sonoma County, CA, each time I go back to visit. A selection of these images will be exhibited at the James Beard House starting in January and prints will be for sale.

Elephant Garlic:

Raspberry Bush:

Melon Vine:

Lettuce:

Lemon tree:

Flat leaf Cabbage:

Asparagus:

Artichoke:

Happy Hanukkah!

2009-12-11T13:39:00.001-08:00

Photos from the Mad Men/60s inspired Hanukkah party we hosted:

Korean Cuisine

2009-12-10T12:01:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that Korean Cuisine, a cookbook I photographed, has just been published. The author is chef and food writer/educator Yongja Kim. I developed a new found LOVE for Korean food because of this book, and I hope you will, too.

For two weeks last fall in a kitchen in Greenwich Village, Yongja (and her team of chopping friends) prepared all the food and brought plates to me one by one to photograph. Daily lunch time was wonderful-- we got to try everything that had been photographed! I watched her make all the recipes and I must say they seem like anyone could make them. Plus there are over 200 pages of color photographs taken by yours truly, and a foreword by Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Although the book is in English, there is not yet an American distributor (it is published by Yekyong, from Korea). It can, however be purchased by following this link or by visiting the Korean book store in NYC, KORYO BOOKS (35 W. 32nd Street) will have them from the beginning of next week. They will sell for about $37.
Call to see if they have them in stock before you go: 212-564-1844

Bacon & Eggs in Princeton

2009-12-09T15:57:00.000-08:00

Jack and I had the most wonderful 9 course meal at elements in Princeton, NJ a couple weekends ago that came with an incredible wine pairing. What a treat! The restaurant specializes in "Interpretive American Cuisine". They have two lovely "Chef's Tables" in the back that face the kitchen and when seated there, you opt for a tasting menu experience that is different for each guest every night. We were given a list of ingredients on a beautifully printed earthy looking menu and asked if there was anything we were opposed to. When we said no, the chefs hit the ground running! As a new meat eater, I tried about a million things I'd never had before. 48 hour sous-vide short ribs, sashimi and cured pork were among my favorites.

Chef's Table looks into the kitchen:

Perhaps my favorite was the "Bacon & Eggs" (above). They have a special tool that perfectly cuts the top off the egg shell so they can then fill it. (It's very hard to not crack the shell as you eat it!) There's a bit of brioche inside the egg shell at the bottom, and then some sort of egg cream on top of that. It's served with a mini version of french toast and topped with bacon. MMMmmm!

Another favorite: the charcuterie plate:

The menu was innovative, surprising and intricately plated. The wine pairings were delicious, the service- impeccable and friendly. We will certainly be back and will recommend it highly to friends.

Chef: Scott Anderson
Dishes above prepared by Sous Chef Joe Sparatta

all photos by erin gleeson

Hungry Filmmakers Event

2009-11-25T09:39:00.000-08:00

I plan on going to this event on Dec. 15...it's only $10! Plus the proceeds go to Just Food, an organization I love.

Hungry Filmmakers Event
Tuesday, Dec 15 7:00p
at Jimmy's No. 43, Manhattan, NY

Hungry Filmmakers is a film screening event featuring the efforts of food-conscious filmmakers.

On December 15, 2009 excerpts of six documentary films that challenge the food system will be screened at Anthology Film Archives followed by a panel discussion moderated by Anna Lappe. An After Screening Party will be held at Jimmy's No. 43, a bar and restaurant committed to supporting the arts and sustainable food communities. Hungry Filmmakers is curated by food writer Cathy Erway and filmmaker Shelley Rogers.

All proceeds from the evening will be donated to Just Food, an organization dedicated to improving access to fresh, seasonal, sustainable food for all New York City residents.

Event Website:

http://www.hungryfilmmakers.blogspot.com/

Korean Cuisine Book Party & Signing

2009-11-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

Chef Yongja Kim hosted a Book Party this week for the launch of the cookbook she wrote and I photographed, Korean Cuisine, at the Korean Cultural Center on Park Avenue in New York City. Lucky Rice co-hosted the event. Here are a few photos:

Yongja Kim and me

The chef, me and several of the people who helped prepare food while shooting the cookbook

The Chef signing books

Yongja Kim speaking

The books sold out!

Korean Cuisine
by Yongja Kim
Photographed by Erin Gleeson
© 2009

Succotash in the Sukkah

2009-10-20T09:15:00.001-07:00

Sukkot is my new favorite holiday. During this week-long Jewish harvest holiday we built a sukkah in our backyard in Brooklyn and invited friends over to eat in it with us nearly every night. We decorated the sukkah with gords and pumpkins and dried corn. According to tradition, the sukkah had 3 walls and a "see-through" roof, which we made out of burlap.

The sukkah is reminiscent of the type of fragile dwellings in which the ancient Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. Throughout the holiday the sukkah becomes the living area of the house, and all meals are eaten in it.

We had different a autumn inspired menu each night and friends brought dishes to share as well. We had quinoa, squash, roasted sweet potatoes, pie, butternut soup, pumpkin bread and my favorite- Andrea's clever dish, Succotash, a lovely veggie stew type medley served in a whole bell pepper.

Happy Fall!

all photos by Vanessa Bahmani

Martha Stewart Show

2009-10-13T22:28:00.000-07:00

Today I went to watch a live recording of the Martha Stewart Show and Rachel Ray was the guest (for the 1st time ever!). My good friend Meagan went with me and MY! what fun we had. Martha and Rachel baked an apple blackberry pie with sugary leaf cut-outs as the top crust. I want to make it for Thanksgiving.

There was also a woman named Anna Pavord who inspired me to order bulbs online (right now!) and plant them in my backyard for a nice spring surprise.

I was very excited to go home with a copy of Rachel Ray's new cookbook as well as Anna Pavord's book on bulbs, plus a live Amaryllis bulb to plant in time for a holiday bloom!

In Remembrance: Irving Penn

2009-10-07T20:14:00.001-07:00

I am so very sad to hear of the passing of my favorite photographer of all time, Irving Penn. Please read the announcement of his death in the Times today.

Irving Penn, one of the 20th century’s most prolific and influential photographers of fashion and the famous, whose signature blend of classical elegance and cool minimalism was recognizable to magazine readers and museumgoers worldwide, died Wednesday morning at his home in Manhattan. He was 92.

Click HERE for a slideshow of some of his work.

all photos above by Irving Penn

Edible Brooklyn, Fall Issue

2009-09-28T09:40:00.001-07:00

I love shooting for Edible Brooklyn and meeting all kinds of fun foodie people. In the most recent issue, check out 2 stories I shot...one about a couple who sells "brew kits" to make your own beer at home, and a "Brooklyn Fridge" story about a rocker married to a Zagat editor and his eclectic Prospect Park West kitchen.

Rachel Fine Exhibit

2009-09-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased to have been included in a group show at the Red Bull Space in Soho this past weekend. It was a CD release party for the amazing musician Rachel Fine. There are 11 songs on her new CD, so she chose 11 photographers to each do a photoshoot in response to one of her songs. Here are some of my images of the artist in response to the song "Regret". I did a google image search for the word regret and projected those images onto Rachel.

Cleo & Lemon Tart

2009-08-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

If you've never seen Agnes Varda's Cleo from 5-7, please do! It's a lovely french film from 1962 that takes places in Paris and inspired this still life photo I took. I used a film still from my favorite cafe scene as the backdrop and for fun I added a lemon tart from the french pastry shop on my corner.

New Edible Brooklyn Issue

2009-07-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest Issue of Edible Brooklyn. My photo of Bonnie's Grill is used in the "Namesakes" article.

You can find hard copies at THESE locations

Beer Garden Party at Inside Park at St. Bart's

2009-07-16T16:44:00.001-07:00

Matthew Weinegarten is the very talented chef at Inside Park at St. Bart's Cathedral who specializes in local and sustainable fare. He cures his own meats and last night I tried MANY of them! As a new meat eater (I was raised vegetarian and recently started eating meat)...I was in heaven! His hot dogs and pulled pork were my favorites. This is exactly what I've been missing all these years!

The info for yesterday's event:

Join Edible Manhattan at Inside Park at St. Bart's
for an evening to celebrate the newest issue
of Manhattan's beloved locavore magazine!

Enjoy a walk-around tasting of local beers and Biergarten fare
from Executive Chef Matthew Weingarten, including:

Hanks of Assorted Sausages! Roasted Heritage Pig!
Long Island Sound Seafood Skewers!
Local Cheeses, Market Pickles and more!

Tickets sold in advance. $55.00 per person.
Please call (212) 593-3333, or book online at OpenTable.com.

Inside Park at St. Bart's
109 East 50th Street - Entrance on Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 593-3333 | Website: www.insideparknyc.com

***
Inside Park also has a great bar on the patio for happy hour.. and the cathedral lights up at night making it an ideal summer spot.

above, Weingarten with Peter Hoffman of Savoy

Strawberry Picking in Santa Barbara

2009-06-23T11:21:00.001-07:00

Tango Dinner Party!

2009-06-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Andrea has been living in Buenos Aires and has just come back to live in NYC. To welcome her home, we had a Tango themed dinner party at my house in Brooklyn.

Sunset Rooftop Cocktails:
Payman's Spicy Capirinhas
Meagan's Mirandas: A blended frozen kiwi mint cocktail
Lots of Malbec! and cold white wine

To Start:
Fresh Pico de Gallo & Chips
Meagan's mango, goat cheese and fresh mint salad

Dinner:
Andrea's Enchiladas (both red and green) filled with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sauteed onions & peppers, and spinach. Topped with dollops of sour cream.

Vanessa's empanadas filled with chorizo, goat cheese and black beans. Dipped in chimichurri saice...Amazing!

Payman's roasted sweet potatoes topped with a toasted cumin seed butter sauce.

Green Salad with Cucumbers, Mint, Tomatoes, Avocado and a light lemony dressing. (aloe leaf tongs)

For dessert: Strawberries dipped in whip cream. Chocolate sea salt covered almonds.

Buenos Aires

2009-06-01T16:40:00.001-07:00

A few pictures from a recent vacation to Argentina:

Tuscan Wine Lovers Dinner

2009-05-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Last week, chef Rossano Giannini of Lanterna in Nyack, NY, was at the James Beard House for a Tuscan Wine Lovers Dinner. Delicioso! Click for a full menu.
From the JBF website:
“Lanterna shines an unfiltered light on the popular cuisine of Tuscany, offering a well-executed primer on the soul of true Northern Italian cuisine,” wrote Dennis A. Chansky of the Journal News about Rossano Giannini’s charming eatery. Join us for a dinner of the chef’s spot-on, rustic favorites paired with a selection of fine Tuscan wines.

Lanterna Tuscan Bistro
3 South Broadway
Nyack, NY 10960
Phone: 845-353-8361
Photos © erin gleeson

Mom's Garden

2009-05-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to see my family in Sonoma County, I took some photos in my Mom's beautiful little vegetable garden that is surrounded by redwood trees. My dad built all the raised beds and my brother Ryan (who is an amazing gardner) has helped plant all sorts of wonderful things. It's so fun to be able to walk up to the garden with a basket and pick things to make for dinner. Mom knows I love kale, so she's planted several varieties for me for when I visit (which happens to be every 3 months, the rule as long as I live so far away). I eat kale often, and there's NO kale like Mom's. It's crisp and sweet and tender and so flavorful! You hardly need butter.

chard:

lettuce:

lemon tree:

curly leaf kale:

flat leaf kale:

mom picking greens for dinner:

Ry:

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Elements | Princeton

2009-05-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

Elements
Photography by Erin Gleeson
Chef: Scott Anderson
Innovative American Cuisine
163 Bayard Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540
phone 609.924.0078

Congrats to Nate Appleman, A16

2009-05-06T11:43:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of attending a dinner at the James Beard House a few months ago where Nate Appleman from A16 in San Francisco prepared an unforgettable meal, along with Wine Director Shelley Lindgren.

Nate was given the "Rising Star Chef" award at the 2009 James Beard Awards in NYC on Monday night.

Congrats, Nate!

Photos below: JB House dinner he prepared in December:

For more photos, click here.

photos © erin gleeson

Clio at the James Beard House

2009-04-12T21:58:00.001-07:00

A couple weeks ago, Jonathan and I took his Grandmother to dinner at the James Beard House for her birthday. We had a deliciously good time tasting the culinary delights from the chefs at Boston's Clio. If I'm in Boston, I'll definitely be stopping by!

Dinner Menu & Wine Pairings:

Smoking Salmon with Apple Cider, Cucumber Vinegar, Mustard Sorbet, and Szechwan Pepper Smoke
Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Atlantic Skate Wing with Southeast Asian Barbecue Sauce, Coconut, Green Papaya, and Peanuts
Loimer Kamptal Riesling 2007

Lacquered Foie Gras with Buttermilk, Apricots, and Barrel-Aged Whiskey
Château La Rame Sainte-Croix-du-Mont 2002

New Zealand Venison Saddle with Pistachio, Preserved Gage Plums, Dandelion Greens, and Caramelized Salsify
Bodegas Ateca Atteca 2007

Frozen Banana Milk with Tamarind, Vanilla, Macadamia Nut, and Lime
Dow’s Fine White Port NV

hors d'œuvres served during cocktail hour before dinner:
Bison Tartare Reubens
Berkshire Pork Belly with Wu Xhu Condiments
Clio Tacos with Tomato Confit
Oysters with Seaweed, Paddlefish Caviar, and Silver Pearls
Sweet White Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce Powder

Chef Grundy

Chef Oringer plating dessert

Jonathan and Audrey listening to the chefs speak about what they prepared after dinner:

Ken Oringer, Alec Riveros, Andrés Julian Grundy

Modern French American from Ken Oringer's Clio in Boston
Chef: Andrés Julian Grundy
Wine pairings by General Manager/Wine Director Alec Riveros

photos by erin gleeson

Passover!

2009-04-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

I have just spent the last few days in Connecticut celebrating Passover with my lovely boyfriend Jonathan and his wonderful family. They hosted a seder on Thursday evening for about 37 people. I had a great time helping his Mom cook and prepare for the guests. Here is a taste of the evening...

Each place setting was made with the guest's photo

Gefilte Fish

Hard Boiled eggs served in little bowls of salt water

Garnishing the Charoset (traditional passover dish made of apples, wine, walnuts and cinnamon)

Pine Nut Charoset

A new family tradition: Charoset made with kiwi, dried cranberries, toasted almonds and mandarin oranges

The story of Passover is read from the Haggadah before (and during) dinner

Seder plate

Parsley was dipped in salt water and served next to matzah and bitter herbs (horseradish)

Jonathan peeled and sliced about a million beets that were then roasted for the veg platters and served with asparagus and carrots

Grain-free desserts: Macaroons & merengues

After hours of story telling, lively singing and joyous feasting, I left feeling full and content. Can't wait till next year! Despite having to give up bread for a week, this is definitely my favorite Jewish holiday.

Photo Booth Salon April 3

2009-03-22T14:04:00.001-07:00

You are cordially invited to attend the Photo Booth Salon, an art party I am hosting on Friday, April 3. Work by 18 emerging artists will be exhibited and there will be a photo booth area where you can have your picture taken. Should be a really fun night!

Hope to see you then-
Please feel free to invite friends and RSVP to the email address below.

Ciao!

Erin

***

Photo Booth Salon
Friday April 3, 9-11pm
Hosted by Erin Gleeson
530 West 28th Street (btw 10th/11th Aves), NYC
**look for the red awning**

Also introducing Vanessa Bahmani's new book featuring dance photographs of Full Circle Dance Company.

Complimentary drinks 9-11pm
Guests are invited to go downstairs into the club after 11pm for House
and R&B Music, cover fee of $45 will be waived.

Please RSVP to:
photoboothsalon@gmail.com
(There will be a guest list at the door)

Participating Artists (Photography, Illustration and Mixed Media):
Dina Kantor , Vanessa Bahmani , Jade Doskow, Seth Lambert , Matt Baum , Tiana Peterson , Elizabeth Van Loan,
Rachel Barrett , Miles Kerr , Jodi Surfas, Caroline Northrop, Samantha Hahn , Michael Seto , Kelly Neal , Michael Harlan Turkell,
Emmely Pierre-Louis , Elizabeth White , Erin Gleeson

above 'photo booth' photos by Erin Gleeson

101 New Restos: Fatty Crab

2009-03-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the photos I've taken recently for Metromix NYC. I shoot for their weekly column, "101 New Restaurants in NYC"

This week, Fatty Crab on the UWS:

Lower East Side Foodie Walking Tour

2009-03-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, my good friend Kayoko Akabori, editor of Umami Mart, organized an "Umamiventure", a foodie walking tour around the Lower East Side. There were about 20 of us who roamed and noshed all afternoon.

Stops included:

Kosar's Bialyis
Russ & Daughters
Katz's Deli
Dumpling House
Donut Plant

My favorites:
The New pickle at Guss' Pickle Shop
The glazed yeast donut at Doughnut Plant
The sesame veggie sandwich for $1.50 at the Dumpling House

YUM!

(all photos taken by my iPhone!)

Edible Exhibition at Chelsea Market

2009-03-03T20:19:00.001-08:00

A unique view of all things related to local food growth, production, art, and the folks who make it happen dress the walls of Chelsea Market's current photo exhibit. If you're in Chelsea, stop by Chelsea Market (9th Ave & 15th St.) for lunch or groceries and check out the rambling exhibition of photography by the Edible Manhattan, Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End photographers. My photo of the choclate chorizo appetizer at Tia Pol in Chelsea is on display (at the end of the marketplace, near Friedman's). Also on view is a wonderful selection of photos by Edible photographer and photo editor Michael Harlan Turkell, who also curated the show.

Oyster Party!

2009-02-23T16:01:00.001-08:00

On Saturday, I attended the New Amsterdam Public's 1st fundraiser event, which sold out. This wonderful little organization is dedicated to reviving the old site of the Fulton Fish market and filling it regularly with local purveyors. This would essentially be a monthly market place where you could not only buy local fruit and veggies, but meat, fish, cheese, eggs etc. Saturday's event raised money to make this happen. There were a lot of oysters, shuckers and tons of really good beer!

Some highlights for me: Beer Table!, amazing seltzer (Gomberg Seltzer Works Brooklyn), pickled turnips (Marlow and Sons) & Cooperstown Cheese Company's butter.

NAP's mission statement: New Amsterdam Market is dedicated to promoting our region's agriculture and to building a new community of purveyors, whose common goal is to pioneer environmentally and socially responsible food production.

For more info, to see an event description and a list of all the purveyors who participated, please click HERE.

Recent Personal Work

2009-02-16T19:59:00.001-08:00

Lemon tart at the Trevi Fountain!

Print Magazine: New Republic

2009-02-15T12:34:00.001-08:00

Does a radical redesign mean a change of tune for The New Republic? Check out the article in Print Magazine that accompanies my photo, HERE.

Edible Manhattan

2009-01-26T12:10:00.000-08:00

My 1st Cover!
The Jan/Feb 2009 issue is out...check it out here or look for it in stores.

I also shot this story on "collaborative cuisine", featuring the fusion inspired eats at Tia Pol, Inside Park at St. Barts, Two Boots and La Caridad. Chocolate chorizo sandwich, anyone?

all photos © erin gleeson

Inauguration 2009

2009-01-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

This week, Jack and I went to DC for the Inauguration. I was struck by the amount of smiles I saw, friendliness I met, and inspiring words I heard. The temperature couldn't have been colder, but the spirit was startlingly warm. We were all was so happy to be there- all 2 million of us. The sun rose over the mall as we arrived, and 6 hours later we jumped for joy and cheered with the masses as we heard the words "President Obama" for the first time.

People from all over met and talked on the metro on the way to the mall:

sunrise over the mall, the morning of:

People climbed trees for a better look:

Broadway Gallery Opening Video

2008-12-30T23:58:00.000-08:00

In case you couldn't make it to the opening, here is a video of the show!

Exhibit at Broadway Gallery

2008-12-07T08:27:00.000-08:00

Hope you can join me for the opening of my exhibition at Broadway Gallery in SoHo on Friday Dec. 19th from 6-8pm. I will be hanging about 10 new pieces in one room of the gallery.

For more info: www.broadwaygallerynyc.com

Broadway Gallery is pleased to announce the exhibit of Food for Thought: Photography by Erin Gleeson, curated by Jade Doskow, which will open on Tuesday, December 16th and close on Tuesday, December 30th, with a reception for the artist on Friday, December 19th from 6-8 p.m.
There is another exhibit going on in the front room at the same time, click here to see.

In the midst of the holiday season, the one constant most everyone can agree upon is the food. Erin Gleeson finds glamour and beauty in cuisine both everyday and exotic in her photography. In the Payard series—on display in the Broadway Gallery’s project room—Gleeson teamed up with the renowned pastry chef Francois Payard, creating ethereal, colorful collages that mingle food and fantasy.
Enjoy the show, and remember….the pictures are not edible!

Curated by Jade Doskow
At Broadway Gallery, 473 Broadway (at Broome St.)
New York, NY
(212) 274-8993
www.broadwaygallerynyc.com
Opening Reception:
Friday December 19th, 6-8 p.m.

Sunset Turkey

2008-12-01T22:29:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! I went to Santa Barbara and spent a long weekend with my family at my Aunt Janet & Uncle Rick's beach house. Dad BBQed our turkey, and right before he put it on the table, I snuck it out to the cliff for a quick portrait. It was aunt Sindy's idea to put the platter on a piece of firewood. All the ladies had just gone on our annual walk to gather flowers and things for the dinner table, so I snagged some bougainvillea from the centerpiece to garnish our dear bird. Here she is:

101 New Restos: Fall 2008

2008-11-20T21:40:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to see my photos of new restaurants on metromix.com. I shot 4 of them...see if you can find them! (The 1st one in the slideshow is mine.)

I shot: Aperitivo, Flex Mussels, Brasserie Athinee, and Ponty Bistro

Matthew Weingarten at the James Beard House

2008-11-15T10:42:00.000-08:00

I'm lucky to have eaten many dinners at the JB House, but few are as special as a recent meal prepared by Matthew Weingarten. Everything was beautifully crafted and well thought out, down to the autumn inspired cocktails made from herb-infused local liqueurs. The locally produced meats were even cured by the restaurant! Weingarten brought in his own slate slabs to plate on, and each was adorned with a fresh array of mossy garnishes that looked like they had just been plucked from the forest earlier that day. I was transported in a way to to the woods, as I was surrounded by plates of
Air-Dried Venison, Sweet Chestnuts and Pine-Smoked Catskill Trout topped with Shagbark Hickory Cream. Everything was warm and autumnal and made me miss the smell of fallen fruit that filled the air this time of year when I was growing up on my family's apple orchard. A beautifully designed and illustrated booklet described each course of the meal (see below). It was also our dear Kayoko's first time at the JB House, and one of her last meals in NYC before moving back to California, so I was happy we picked such a good one for her.

***

Autumn Landscapes
Matthew Weingarten Inside Park at St. Bart's/ NYC

With the crisp air and bountiful harvest, autumn is a season for good eating. And for Savoy alum Matthew Weingarten, known for his well-executed American cooking, it's also a season for new beginnings as he takes on the role of executive chef of Inside Park at St. Bart's, the new dining destination in the landmark church.

AUTUMN LANDSCAPE MENU:

Hors d’Oeuvre

Wild-Foraged Ginkgo Nut Custard
Oysters and Algae
Spanish Mackerel with Sweet Chestnuts
Pressed Rabbit with Pickled Porcini and Sage
Charbay Herb-Infused Aperitif Trio

Dinner

Air-Dried Venison, Pork Liver Pâté, Smoked Beef Tongue, Duck Rillettes, and Garlic Sausage, Served with Harvest Pickles and Hearth-Baked Bread
Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold Sparkling Apple Cider

Ribollita with Black Brandywine Tomato, Hardneck Garlic, Shell Beans, and Assorted Cruciferous Vegetables
Tio Pepe Fino Sherry

Pine-Smoked Catskill Trout with Winter Squashes, Mustard Apples, and Shagbark Hickory Cream
Peconic Bay La Barrique Chardonnay 2005

Wood-Roasted Squab with Braised Lettuce and Green Wheat and Rose Hip Jam
Olivier Leflaive Côte de Beaune Bourgogne Rouge 2005

Local Cheese with Rooftop Honey and Summer Preserves
Elyse Morisoli Vineyard Zinfandel 2005

Hand-Stretched Strudel with Antique Newtown Pippin Apples, Toasted Walnuts, and Cultured Cream
Gordon Brothers Icewine 2006

Old-Fashioned Sweets

The menu for the evening:

Inside Park at St Barts
Executive Chef Matthew Weingarten
www.insideparknyc.com
October 2008

All Photos copyright Erin Gleeson

Sticky Bun War!

2008-11-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

I recently photographed a sticky bun championship for Edible Manhattan.

The contestants: Balthazar vs. Bouchon

To see who won...click here!

Balthazar Bakery, 80 Spring Street; 212-965-1785
Bouchon Bakery, Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd floor; 212-823-9366

photos © erin gleeson

The Appetizing Art Show

2008-11-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

I am excited to have some of my new Payard series be included in an upcoming group show at TRA Gallery in Brooklyn called The Appetizing Arts Show. This unique exhibition includes artists who use food as their fuel for artistic expression.

The Rising Arts Gallery focuses on contemporary art created by emerging and mid-career artists working in a variety of media, from paintings and photography to sculpture and print. Solo and group exhibitions showcase abstract as well as figurative work from a diverse body of artists from the U.S. and abroad.

TRA Gallery
November 13th-December 12th
35 Claver Place, Brooklyn NY
(Clinton Hill)
Opening Reception: Nov. 13, 6-8pm (I unfortunately cannot attend)

Obama's Coming to Dinner

2008-11-03T17:00:00.001-08:00

Everyone knows I love a good dinner party. And if I could choose one guest in the whole world to come to my house for dinner, it would be Barack Obama. By chance, last week I watched "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", the 1967 film where a white woman brings her black fiance home to meet her 'liberal' (yet not so thrilled) parents. As Frank Rich pointed out in his Op-Ed piece on Sunday with the same title, we are at an astonishing chapter in American history. I am proud to be an American because America is a place where people of all colors, religions and backgrounds have the opportunity to dine, live and learn peacefully together. Thanks to the civil rights movement, now we can all vote together, and change history together. As Rich notes in his piece, an African American is on the brink of becoming the President of the United States of America! However, the fact that he's black is beside the point. I think he's the strongest leader and best choice for America and the world.

Here are some of the reasons why I AM VOTING for BARACK OBAMA tomorrow:

FOOD SECURITY/ ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
My food hero Michael Pollan wrote an intense and lengthy letter to the president-elect in the Times Magazine a couple weeks ago concerning food. As Pollan mentions, after cars, the food system uses more fossil fuel than any other sector of the economy. Both candidates support the development of alternative energy sources, but McCain plans on giving big tax cuts to oil companies, while Barack plans on giving families a $1,000 energy rebate and starting new green energy programs which will create more jobs.

RACE:
I loved Colin Powell's video endorsement of Barack Obama. Here is a smart republican man who knows both candidates very well, has years of experience in Washington, who has decided Obama is the best choice for America. America is made up of people and families who have come from all over the world. As Americans, we are African, Italian, British, Iranian, Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. As Powell said, Obama's not Muslim...but what if he was? There's nothing wrong with being Muslim in America. Why shouldn't a 7 year old Muslim American child today dream of one day being the president? As Frank Rich points out, Obama doesn’t transcend race. He isn’t post-race. He is the latest chapter in the ever-unfurling American racial saga. It is an astonishing chapter. For most Americans, it seems as if Obama first came to dinner only yesterday. Should he win the White House on Tuesday, many will cheer and more than a few will cry as history moves inexorably forward. Click here for Obama's race speech in Philadelphia earlier this year.

THE CAMPAIGNS:
I like the way Obama's campaign has been run- it stays positive and focuses on important issues without twisting the truth. McCain's ad campaign has been fueled by fear and war, full of attack ads. Just look at McCain's commercials, vs Obama's. Obama focuses on the issues and doesn't belittle himself by making up lies about his opponent.

GOV'T SPENDING/ HEALTHCARE:
According to the NY Times, McCain's big ticket spending item is the military. Obama wants to put his biggest chunk of money into developing universal healthcare. I'd rather have more money be put towards healthcare than war/weapons. As a self-employed uninsured person, McCain's $5K offer doesn't do much for me, especially since I'd have to pay taxes on it as if it were income. I'd rather be eligible for Obama's offer of access to the government health program which would be much more affordable than my current choices.

MILITARY/ DEFENSE:
Obama has plans to fully equip troops for the missions they face, and plans to pullout of Iraq in 16 months. John McCain was a strong supporter of George Bush’s Iraq war policy and has no plan to end the war.

ABORTION:
I think gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples. McCain thinks Roe vs. Wade should be overturned. I am pro-choice and so is Obama- neither of us likes the idea of abortion, but we believe it's a woman's right to choose. Obama would make it a priority to expand programs that help to lower the number of unwanted pregnancies.

GAY MARRIAGE:
I support gay marriage. Neither candidate supports gay marriage, but Obama opposes a federal constitutional amendment to ban it, as well as a California effort to ban it (Prop 8) and he supports civil unions. Obama supports gay adoptions, as do I. McCain does not.

FOREIGN POLICY:
Any candidate who would joke about bombing a country as Mc Cain did when he sang Bomb Bomb Iran to the tune of the Beach Boys is not the type of person I want leading my country. Bombs mame and kill innocent people and children and destroy towns and lives. In terms of Iran, Obama says he will sit down and talk with them about the issues concerning nuclear weapons, showing that he not only has compassion, but the communication skills a leader of this country needs. Barack Obama will engage in aggressive, smart, direct diplomacy that brings our allies together to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program. Obama proposes a trade policy that will protect American jobs. McCain will carry on the Bush trade policies, shipping thousands of American jobs overseas and putting Wall Street interests over American workers.

FIRST LADY:
I love Michelle Obama and think she would make a wonderful first lady. Her DNC speech brought me to tears. Go Michelle!

Tomorrow as you head to the polls, I urge you to make a choice that would be good not only for yourself and other Americans, but for the world. The whole world is watching and wishing they could vote as well! Overwhelmingly, polls show that people in other countries want Obama. So make your vote count for them. The international economy is at stake and I believe Obama would lead a nation that would create positive change for people internationally. VOTE!

Go Obama!

-Erin

***

What would Obama bring to a potluck? (from the San Antonio Current)
“I’ve been using this chili recipe since college and would bring it to any potluck. I can’t reveal all the secrets, but if you make it right, it’s just got the right amount of bite, the right amount of oomph in it, and it will clear your sinuses.” — Senator Barack Obama

________________________________________________

Obama Family Chili Recipe

1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Several cloves of garlic, chopped
1 T olive oil
1 lb. ground turkey or beef
1/4 t ground cumin
1/4 t ground oregano
1/4 t ground turmeric
1/4 t ground basil
1 T chili powder
3 T red-wine vinegar
Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped
1 can red kidney beans

Saute onions, green pepper, and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown. Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat. Add red-wine vinegar. Add tomatoes and let simmer until the tomatoes cook down. Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes.

Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions, and sour cream.

'Top Chef' Season 5 in NYC's Grand Central Station

2008-11-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

Last week I photographed a gathering of the new season's contestants at Grand Central in NYC for metromix.com. Past Top Chef contestants were there as well, some of which offered tastings from their own NYC restaurants.

Check out the link for more photos and interviews:

http://newyork.metromix.com/restaurants/photogallery/snap-judgment-top-chef/723052/content?photo=1

Kobe Club’s wagyu tartare on sourdough ficelle crostini

Harold Dieterle, Perilla | 'Top Chef' Season 1

Perilla's Taylor Bay scallops with spicy pickled green papaya mignonette

Padma Lakshmi

Gail Simmons

Danny Gagnon

NY Times Business Section Today

2008-10-07T08:34:00.001-07:00

Singapore Airlines has introduced a discount round-trip fare on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays for its Los Angeles-Singapore business-class service. Standard fare remains in effect the rest of the week. The carrier says it depends as heavily on passengers in energy and mining as those in the ailing financial service industry.

Click here to see my photo and the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/business/07outlook.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=erin%20gleeson&st=cse&oref=slogin

Last Supper Festival This Saturday

2008-09-15T20:51:00.000-07:00

Please join me for the Fourth annual Last Supper Festival this Saturday, September 20th at 6pm. A stimulation of the senses, this artist-run multimedia show will bring together over 50 local emerging creatives from several mediums to celebrate the shift of seasons, the cross-blending of genres, and a conversation about consumption and landscape- all to benefit the Food Bank For New York City.

I will be hanging some photos and my friend Kayoko, editor of Umamimart will also be participating. This food related happening will feature an art exhibition, live music, short film screenings, and food art you can eat! Tickets include food, and drinks will be provided by a cash bar.

Click here to read the article in the Village Voice.

Saturday, Sept 20, 2008, 6pm
3rd Ward
195 Morgan Ave, Brooklyn
$15 (or $10 w/ 3 cans of food)
L to Grand

13 featured artists (me!)
13 short films from emerging directors
13 dishes from brilliant culinarians
7 live bands/ DJs

In addition to the food drive during the show, there is also a Virtual Food Drive on our website: http://www.lambastic.com/sponsor.html where you can donate directly to the Food Bank, and find out more about volunteer opportunities.

Interlude: Melbourne, AU

2008-08-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

Halfway through our lunch at Interlude, Jack turned to me and said, "I think this may be the best meal I've ever had". I had to agree. We concurred that our meal at The Core Club in NYC last year was right up there, but this was AMAZING.

There's no doubt about it...Interlude is fine dining. The service was perfect. Friendly, classy, refined. Renald, the restaurant's very knowledgeable sommelier who hails from France selected an impeccable array of wines to go with each course of our tasting menu and answered all our questions with elegance. The chef did things with vegetables and soy for my vegetarian palatte that were not only surprising, but delicious and beautifully presented. Each large white plate was like a canvas- carefully composed with thoughtful attention to color, shape, form and texture. It is clear that executive Chef Robin Wickens thinks outside the box. The contemporary french cuisine that his kitchen creates was both innovative and delicious. I'm no restaurant critic, but I can say that I have never had a vegetarian meal with flavors quite like that.

Walking by Interlude on the hip and fashionable stretch of Brunswick Street, you may not realize what a treasure lies inside! If you happen to pass by, you must stop in.

The exterior of the restaurant:

They have a fabulous selection of cognac:

cookie dessert with lavender (i think- i didn't get to try this one):

they have a small collection of specially blown glass carafes for their wine:

I tried the (garlic?) foam that accompanied this fish dish and loved it!

Becco: Melbourne, AU

2008-08-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

I was recently in Australia and had the pleasure of shooting at Becco, a classy Italian restaurant in downtown Melbourne. They say their menu is designed to recreate the old style of 1950's Italian fine dining. The interior is chic, simple and comfortable and it's always fun to be able to see in to an exposed kitchen. Jack and I had a great meal here as well...my favorite (to eat and photograph) was the stunning Bombe Alaska...go figure!

Stuffed Olive Antipasto:

strawberry dessert:

Sardine antipasto:

Bombe Alaska...a merengue covered scoop of icecream. Amazing!

The restaurant is on a cute cobblestone sidestreet in the downtown area:

I love an exposed kitchen!

Chefs:

Becco's signature Campari Cocktail:

General Greene

2008-08-28T10:45:00.001-07:00

Check out General Greene- a very cool new restaurant in Ft. Greene I recently shot for Brooklyn Based.

To see more info and to read the article, please click here.

The General Greene, Ft. Greene, 229 DeKalb Ave. at Clermont, 718-222-1510

Jam Doughnuts from Down Under

2008-08-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Down Under! My lovely Jack got a job in Australia for a few months, and I have come down to spend August with him in Melbourne. Melbourne (pronounced Mell- bin) has a fantastic food scene! I've been shooting with a couple restaurants, but more on that later.

There are all kinds of funny little wordy differences here:

'capsicum' means ' bell / chili pepper'
how are you going? = how are you doing?
long black = regular coffee
opportunity shop = thrift shop
rocket = arugula
barrack = root (I barrack for the Mets)
corriander = cilantro (can you pick me up a fresh bunch of corriander?)
lemonade = Sprite or 7up (if you want a '7 & 7', order a 'lemonade and 7')

But one of my favorites is the "Jam Doughnut" (jelly here means "jello"). Doughnut trucks on the street in Melbourne during the winter are like Mr. Frosty trucks in NYC in the summer. It's cold here now, so it's quite a treat to stroll up to a truck and get a warm little round goodie to sink your teeth into. These little sugar coated gems are filled with berry jam and are about $1 each (or 6 for $5). Delicious!

Pancake Breakfast in Santa Barbara

2008-08-03T21:37:00.001-07:00

Those who came to my pancake party know that I LOVE a good flapjack. So when I was in Santa Barbara for the weekend, I was delighted to be able to go to the Pancake Breakast that was put on by the Kiwanis Club as a part of Fiesta. Pass the syrup, please!

Chida!

2008-07-10T11:44:00.000-07:00

Tessa Liebman, private NYC chef and foodie extraordinaire, has been doing a lot of food research in Mexico lately. Now she's back and has launched and AMAZING new business I think you should all know about called "CHIDA". Chida (which means "cool" in Mexican kid slang) serves up "Nieves" (snows), a frozen treat that lies somewhere between ice cream and shave ice, and is inspired by Mexican Market Ices. These frosty cups of goodness that are churned by hand come in a variety of innovative seasonal flavors including 'smokey vanilla', 'strawberry' and 'jamaica'. She uses local ingredients such as Evan's Farmhouse milk, local berries and goat's milk caramel (cajeta) made fresh with Kortright Creamery goat milk. When local flavors aren't available, she makes sure what she chooses is at least sustainable.

Right now you can taste her goods at the Brooklyn Flea on weekends for only $4 a pop, well worth a trip out to Ft. Greene on a warm summer day!

Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest

2008-07-09T13:05:00.001-07:00

I had to see what all the hype was about, at least once...so I joined the massive sweaty crowd this year in Coney Island at the Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey Chestnut won by eating 64 hot dogs in just over 10 minutes! Disgusting and amazing, all at the same time.

Power to the Farmers!

2008-07-05T10:28:00.000-07:00

The New Amsterdam Market was held for the 3rd time last weekend at the historic site of the now defunct Fulton Fish Market at South Street Seaport. The New Amsterdam Public is a group that is backing the effort to turn this site into a permanent forum for local purveyors. The market featured tastings, goods for sale and demos. They state that they "propose that both market halls be restored with public and philanthropic funds and dedicated as a new market for sustainably produced food, sold by purveyors and sourced regionally".

To read more about which local farmers, butchers, grocers, and fish and cheese mongers participated, click here.

Lemon Basil shaved ice and berry yogurt popsicles from 'People's Popsicle':

Poultry prepping demo:

And of course, there was an amazing view of (all 4!) of Olafur Eliasson's waterfalls:

Johnny Iuzzini: Dessert at Jean Georges

2008-07-02T12:38:00.000-07:00

Johnny Iuzzini makes the most beautiful desserts I think I've ever photographed. Seriously, they were so stunning that as I left our shoot on the patio of Jean Georges, I couldn't wait to get home and look at them. It's dishes like these that really make me love what I do. (And they were DELICIOUS too! I got to try everything.)

Johnny Iuzzini (or as Kayoko calls him, "Hottie Iuzzini"), is the executive Pastry Chef at Jean Georges, in NYC. He has worked at both Daniel and Payard among other places, and in May 2006, The James Beard Foundation awarded Johnny “Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year”.
Don't wait! Head on over to Columbus Circle for dessert. His creations are not only gorgeous, but completely innovative and sinfully delectable.

Click here to see Johnny's 1st cookbook, Dessert FourPlay.

This Rhubarb inspired dish was my favorite:

All Photos copyright Erin Gleeson, 2008

Jean Georges
1 Central Park West
New York, NY 10023
T: 212.299.3900

Wine & Cheese at the Conservatory Garden

2008-06-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

My friend Stephen is a professional gardener at the Conservatory Garden in Central Park and he invited me to a sweet little soiree they were having on Wednesday. If you haven't been, it's a spectacular garden on 105th Street and 5th Avenue that is filled with summer blooms right now.

A wine and cheese party was thrown by the Central Park Conservancy for members and supporters of the garden. It was a beautifully warm June evening that felt whimsical with roaming musicians, wine and cheese tastings, and an amazing dessert sampling table that I had a hard time getting away from!

A selection of Cabot Vermont Cheese was provided (local, affordable and delicious- I buy this brand all the time at the grocery store!) along with wine from Martha Clara Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island. The cold Pinot Grogio was great (and local!).

Here are a few photos from the evening...thanks, Stephen!

Stephen & I: