This just in over the wires... The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has announced a delicious event happening at The Culinary Institute of America in September. The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater will be hosting Chefs for Clearwater, featuring six celebrated Hudson Valley chefs in September. The event sets out to raise awareness of sustainable food production and watershed protection. 

Chefs for Clearwater

This second annual Chefs for Clearwater culinary event will happen on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at 4 pm at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY. Chefs for Clearwater is a partnership of leading Hudson Valley chefs, the CIA, and Clearwater, aimed at spreading awareness of critical issues involving sustainability and food ethics, and how they relate to the Hudson Valley watershed. The event is a fundraiser to support Clearwater’s environmental education and advocacy programs on the Hudson River.

Chefs for Clearwater’s featured chefs, restaurateurs, farmers, ranchers, vintners and cider makers have been invited to participate because of their demonstrated commitment to practicing and advancing sustainable agriculture and socially responsible business practices. The health of the Hudson River watershed directly impacts the health of the ground soil—and the reverse is just as true. Chefs for Clearwater is a celebration of the great progress made on both fronts in recent years.

“The Culinary Institute of America is proud to support Clearwater’s dedication to environmental education and advocacy,” said CIA President Dr. Tim Ryan. “The health of the Hudson River is critical to the region’s agriculture and food future. Both the CIA and Clearwater are committed to maintaining sustainable resources and being socially responsible stewards of the environment. Through Chefs for Clearwater, our organizations can, together, help spread that message.”

The master of ceremonies will be Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Tom Chapin. The New York Times called Chapin “one of the great personalities in contemporary folk music.” Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. In addition to his work as a recording artist and concert performer, Chapin has acted on Broadway, and has also worked extensively in films, television and radio.

Guest speaker Peter Kaminsky is the author of Pig Perfect, The Elements of Taste, Seven Fires: Grilling The Argentine Way and Culinary Intelligence. His work has been featured in The Underground Gourmet, New York magazine's Outdoors column and The New York Times.

The benefit will include a silent auction, as well as a live auction led by George Cole. With Cole’s special flair and finesse, he has been mentioned year after year in “The Best of the Hudson Valley.”

“The Chefs for Clearwater benefit is an extraordinary event. Held at the majestic Culinary Institute of America, it is the premier food and wine event in the Hudson Valley,” said Chef Terrance Brennan, a co-creator. “Guests will enjoy a six-course tasting menu featuring the best chefs, ingredients and beverages from the Hudson Valley. There will also be musical entertainment and live and silent auctions. Proceeds will benefit Clearwater’s important environmental work to protect the Hudson River and its watershed and educational programs.”

The Chefs for Clearwater benefit dinner will feature live bluegrass music by Two Dollar Goat, signature hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie and a six-course farm-to-table menu created by Chef Sara Lukasiewicz of The Amsterdam in Rhinebeck, NY; Chef John McCarthy of The Crimson Sparrow in Hudson, NY; Chef Jay Lippin of Crabtree’s Kittle House in Mt. Kisco, NY; Chef Michael Kaphan of Purdy’s Farmer & The Fish in North Salem and Tarrytown, NY; Chef Waldy Malouf of The Bocuse Restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY; and Chef Kristina DePalma of The Roundhouse by Terrance Brennan in Beacon, NY.

Tickets and sponsorship packages are available at www.chefsforclearwater.org.

About the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater was launched in 1969 by legendary folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, and ever since, the organization has been at the forefront of the environmental movement as champions of the Hudson River. To date, more than half a million people have experienced their first real look at an estuary’s ecosystem aboard the sloop Clearwater. Clearwater has become the grassroots model for producing positive changes to protect our planet. For more information, visit www.clearwater.org.

About the Culinary Institute of America

Founded in 1946, the Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree majors in food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry, and its worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. For more information, visit www.ciachef.edu.