East End-Based Independent TV Festival Partners With Local Greenport Eateries

The North Fork TV Festival will partner with local Greenport eateries noah’s, American Beech, and The Halyard for this year’s festival on Thursday, September 7 through Saturday, September 9. The local eateries will add an extra zest to the weekend festivities.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnerships with the local culinary gems of the North Fork,” said Noah Doyle, Founder of the North Fork TV Festival. “These partnerships are part of the reason we chose to have a festival in the North Fork of Long Island in the first place. They represent the best of the area’s food and wine and highlight the North Fork and its culinary gifts—the perfect destination for a festival.”

The weekend will kick off with Long Island native and New England Culinary Institute alum Chef Noah Scwartz of noah’s. A special menu will be created for the VIP After-Party, presented by Northforker.com, on Thursday, September 7. Noah’s is located in the heart of Greenport and was opened in 2010, receiving numerous accolades since, including Best Chefs America in 2012 and 2013. The restaurant is known for its trademark seafood inspired small plates featuring locally sourced ingredients. It also boasts a raw bar with fresh oysters shucked to order as well as an extensive wine list that features one of the largest selections of local wines, all hand-picked by Wine Director Sunita Schwartz.

“All of the menu items focus on locally sourced ingredients, featuring local produce and seafood, chosen to highlight local farms and fisherman that we work with closely,” said Chef Noah Schwartz, head chef of noah’s.

Chef Kyle Romea of American Beech will add an eclectic taste to the Oyster Season Kick-Off Party in support of the Billion Oyster Project, presented by Lido, at the Castello di Borghese Vineyard on Friday, September 8. The restaurant, located in a former 19th-century horse stable, was born from the name of the 75-year-old-tree in the center of Greenport Village’s historic Stirling Square.

Cat Greenleaf will host the opening night festivity. (Courtesy Photo)

“Aw-shucks! I am so excited to join the Oyster Season Kick-Off Party at this year’s North Fork TV Festival,” said Chef Kyle Romeo, head chef at American Beech. “As a Southold native, it is such a privilege to be a part of this event in my hometown area and to have the opportunity to prepare a culinary creation with local based vendors. This festival is a true testament to how wonderful the North Fork truly is.”

The Oyster Season Kick-Off Party, in support of the Billion Oyster Project – a long-term, large-scale plan to restore one billion live oysters to New York Harbor over the next 20 years, will be hosted by four-time Emmy Award-winning NBC/USA celebrity chat series Talk Stoop host Cat Greenleaf and will feature a performance by New Orleans Mardi Gras style Party Band The HooDoo Loungers. In addition, eight regional oyster farms including Montauk Oysters, Ketcham of Peconic Gold Oysters and Ketcham Sea Farm, Peter Stein, Cornell Oysters, Race Rock Oysters (Oysterponds Shellfish Co), Little Creek and Frisky Oyster (Oyster Friskafella Dish) will be in attendance to celebrate the start of oyster season. The North Fork TV Festival will also feature local beer, wine and spirits provided by the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, Castello di Borghese, Macari Vineyards, NY Distilling Co, and Plush Vodka.

The weekend will close out with James Beard Award-Winning Chef Galen Zamarra of The Halyard. The closing night party will be presented by the Gersh Talent Agency at his restaurant on Saturday, September 9. Galen Zamarra is the chef and owner of Mas (farmhouse) in New York City and oversees all the food and beverage at the newly re-opened Sound View hotel, including the waterfront restaurant, The Halyard, as well as a piano bar and lounge, pool and beach bar, and private event space.

The Halyard is known for its prime nautical location that sources fresh produce, seafood and wine from the North Fork and Atlantic Seaboard. The restaurant’s menu includes American classics as well as local seafood offerings. The nautical theme is carried through the restaurant’s design with classic captain’s chairs, family-style wooden tables, and an exposed ceiling truss that welcomes an abundance of natural light. There is also a sprawling outdoor deck that looks out onto the Long Island Sound completes the space, which has become a summertime favorite for locals.

“We’re excited to host the North Fork TV Festival closing night party at The Halyard,” said Chef Zamarra. “The North Fork is an incredible culinary destination with an evolving community and culture and we’re excited to showcase the abundance of the region.”

This year’s North Fork TV Festival lineup features an awards night with Artistic Director Jerry Foley, which includes the presentation of the North Fork Canopy Award to Actor Chris Noth, presented by Actor Christopher McDonald, special industry panels, “Conversation with Julie Klausner,” an industry panel with three of today’s most successful creators/executive producers – Sarah Treem of Showtime’s The Affair, Janine Sherman Barrois of TNT’s Claws, and Christina Wayne of Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here – the world premiere of independent pilot Greenport, the New York premieres of independent pilots Death Lives, Shoot Me Nicely and Up North, and a free Special Screening of National Geographic Documentary Films’ From the Ashes.

Noah’s is located at 136 Front Street in Greenport, American Beech is located at 300 Main Street in Greenport, and The Halyard is located at 58775 County Road 48 in Greenport. For more information, visit www.northfork.tv.