Katie Lee Returns to Co-Host Dan’s Taste of Two Forks
Hamptonite Katie Lee, of Food Network’s The Kitchen fame, will bring her foodie expertise to Bridgehampton on July 18 to co-host Dan’s Taste of Two Forks for the second consecutive year. The Hamptons resident and cookbook author is inspired by local ingredients, noting that “this is one of the places that you can truly eat everything from the area.” Lee will be joined by Michael Symon, star of ABC’s The Chew, for co-hosting duties at the event. Here, she discusses what guests can expect for the evening, how the Hamptons inspires her, and her new cookbook Endless Summer.
What are you most looking forward to about hosting Taste of Two Forks for a second year?
I am so thrilled to be a part of Taste of Two Forks for a second year and to celebrate our area’s farmers and chefs. The East End has so many culinary gifts and this event is a wonderful way to highlight all that we are so lucky to have right here.
Can you talk about what it means for Taste of Two Forks to honor B. Smith this year?
Smith has had a presence in our community for such a long time and I think it is great that Taste of Two Forks is paying homage to her this year. I am proud to be paying tribute to such a strong, successful woman in our industry.
What can readers find in your new cookbook, Endless Summer?
Summer is my favorite time of year and my favorite time to cook and entertain. The recipes use seasonal produce and use the grill quite a bit. The recipes lean towards the healthier side naturally, without trying to be diet foods, simply because summer is a time to eat lighter and enjoy all of vegetables and fruits of the season.
What about the Hamptons most inspires your cooking?
The Hamptons provides a huge source of inspiration for me, and for anyone who loves to cook. We have some of the greatest farms in the world right here. This is one of the few places where you can truly eat everything from the area. We have all of the produce, vineyards, chicken farmers, farmers of the sea, dairy farmers, even sea salt farmers!
What does the phrase “local” mean to you?
Local means I could drive over to the farm and pick it up and make it for dinner that night. If I turn right out of my driveway, I can be at the produce farm in five minutes, if I turn left, I can be at the chicken farm in five minutes. That’s local.
If you could stick two forks in any dish right now, what would you choose?
A ripe, juicy summer tomato with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt, or I would take a bite out of a ripe summer peach.
What about summer in the Hamptons is most appealing to you?
I love everything about the Hamptons in the summer—except the traffic and parking. Besides cooking and eating, surfing is my favorite thing to do here.
What is the perfect summer drink?
I am really into the honeydew margaritas from my Endless Summer Cookbook right now. I have a whole cocktails chapter.
Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton presented by Pat LeFrieda Meat Purveyors on Friday, July 17, and continues on Saturday, July 18, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, both at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, rounds out the trio of events on August 22 in Cutchogue. For more information on all three events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.