The Finger Lakes’ agricultural community will take center stage this weekend as New York Kitchen hosts its annual “Meet Your Local Farmer” event in Canandaigua, bringing together farms, food producers and craft beverage makers from across the region for a day focused on local food and community connections.
The free event, held in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County, runs Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at New York Kitchen on South Main Street. Organizers say attendees will be able to meet farmers and producers, learn about local agriculture and CSA programs, sample regional beverages and shop products ranging from meats and produce to flowers, mushrooms, wine, beer and spirits.
More than 20 regional vendors and producers are expected to participate, including Forge Cellars, FLX Distilling, Watershed Brewing, 1911 Established and the New York Apple Association.
The event will also feature two live chef demonstrations in the Wine Spectator Theater highlighting locally sourced ingredients from Finger Lakes farms. At 11:30 a.m., Chef Christin Ortiz will prepare steak from Rugenstein Family Farm, while Chef Eli Tate will demonstrate his pork belly sliders using pork from Bostrom Farms during a 2 p.m. session. Tickets for the chef demonstrations are $10 and require advance registration.
New York Kitchen’s tasting room and outdoor terrace will remain open throughout the event, offering regional wine, cider, beer and spirits for onsite enjoyment and purchase.
Executive Director Alyssa Belasco said the event is designed to strengthen ties between the community and the farms that drive the Finger Lakes economy and identity.
The event is open to the public.
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