Free Open House To Showcase Bites From South Fork Kitchens’ Chef Brian Cheewing

East Enders are invited to pop by the Student Center at Stony Brook Southampton on Wednesday, May 9 to meet the newly-appointed Executive Chef Brian Cheewing of South Fork Kitchens (SFK), Amagansett Food Institute’s (AFI) business incubator for food entrepreneurs, and sample some of Chef Cheewing’s innovative interpretations of entrees, side dishes, salad dressings, dips, and sauces during an open house that will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It’s amazing to think that all my years of experience as a restaurant chef could translate to something like this,” Chef Cheewing reflected. “At South Fork Kitchens, I have the chance to help farmers, food producers, and my community. That’s something to be proud of, and something I can share with my daughter.”

Formerly of Wölffer Kitchen, Chef Cheewing, who has over a decade’s worth of experience at East End eateries, will pay homage to the wide variety of ingredients that can be found across the East End of Long Island throughout dishes featured at the open house. The masterpieces that strike a chord with attendees’ taste buds will be made available year-round through the South Fork Kitchens Cafe, at Share the Harvest Farm in East Hampton, as well as via other South Fork Kitchens friends like OurHarvest, an online grocery store that is expanding its services to the Hamptons this summer.

Additionally, the event will also include a workshop, Photography for Farmers and Food Producers, which will be held at 12 p.m. and again at 5 p.m. The 90-minute classes will be led by IMAGE School of Photography’s Yvonne Berger.

“I hope everyone will show up to support us at the open house on Wednesday, and donate to support the cause if they can,” Chef Cheewing added.

Admission to the open house is free, and the entry fee for Photography for Farmers and Food Producers is $25 for non-members and free for Amagansett Food Institute members.

Amagansett Food Institute, a non-profit whose mission is to “support, promote, and advocate for the farmers, vintners, fishermen, and other food producers and providers on the East End of Long Island,” introduces those interested in learning about working on East End farms with a farmer who teaches them the trade during an apprentice. AFI is also part of the East End Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training, a collaborative effort of local farms that work to boost educational opportunities for farm apprentices. AFI is also committed to food waste awareness and creating a more sustainable and equitable food system on the East End. On a weekly basis during the growing season, the non-profit amasses extra produce for purchase by Long Island’s Food Bank, which is then given to 600 food pantries across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

South Fork Kitchens is home to food entrepreneurs such as Josephine’s Feast (featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things) that rent time and space in the commercial kitchen to produce their items. Many of the products created there are available at the South Fork Kitchens Café, which is located at the Student Center on Stony Brook University’s Southampton Campus.

To register for the workshop, email [email protected].

Stony Brook Southampton is located at 39 Tuckahoe Road in Southampton. For more information, visit amagansettfoodinstitute.org.