Moby’s Chef Gary King on Summer Delights
Nothing says local like a cold brew and fresh seafood. “A perfect pairing for me would be Montauk Summer Ale and a whole grilled black bass,” says Chef Gary King of Moby’s in East Hampton of the perfect combination of food and a Long Island pour. King will hold court at Moby’s Taste of Two Forks table this July. Here, King dishes on the importance of eating and drinking local.
What are you most looking forward to about being part of Dan’s Taste of Summer this year?
Doing something new, getting out of the kitchen for a day, meeting new chefs and seeing what everyone is cooking up.
One food or dish that everyone should try at least once in life:
Chili crab and laksa in Singapore…amazing.
What is the best pairing of food and Long Island beer? Long Island wine?
I’m not much of a wine person, but a perfect pairing for me would be Montauk Summer Ale and a whole grilled black bass.
If you were to eat at your restaurant as a guest, what would you order?
Definitely the pasta, and any of our seafood dishes. All our seafood is so off-the-boat super fresh.
Describe the adrenaline of working in a Hamptons kitchen.
It’s crazy…super crazy. It’s hot, loud, BUSY, but it’s super fun to meet and train new people every year.
What drew you to work on the East End?
The madness that industry people speak about. I had to be a part of it all.
If we looked inside your refrigerator right now, what would we find?
Probably some sort of take out food and beer.
The perfect drink for a summer night:
An ice-cold beer.
Food that defines summer on the East End:
Fresh, out-of-the-ground, unadulterated produce and seafood.
If you had two forks in your hands right now, what would you like to stick them in?
Local corn and anything pork.
Favorite East End-inspired meal?
I don’t really get chance to eat out a lot out here but when I do it’s usually tacos.
What is your favorite local ingredient?
Corn for sure and Balsam Farms spinach.
What is your favorite aspect of being part of the culinary culture on the East End?
The produce for sure. I don’t think people really know how good it is.
When you hear the phrase “local,” what comes to mind?
Farms/fishermen
Where do you find inspiration, inside and outside the kitchen?
Mostly from reading and whenever I get a chance to go out to dinner at other restaurants.
If you were to pack a meal for the beach, what are three things you’d bring?
Lots of fresh, raw veggies and maybe some cured meat to gnaw on. And beer, of course.
A great meal always begins with…
Great product!
Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton 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 info on all three events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.
Moby’s is located at 341 Pantigo Road, East Hampton. mobysny.com, 631-527-5388