Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Chef John Heaney, Shuckers

Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company returns Saturday, July 23, but to a new Bridgehampton location—the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox. Shuckers Lobster & Clam Bar chef John Heaney won’t have far to travel to get there from Hampton Bays, and he deems it well worth the trip, but not many events are worthy of crossing the canal. As he says, “Hampton Bays has the best beaches, bay and ocean. You must check them out, and then have a mojito in your swim trunks while listening to the live music at Shucks with a lobster BLT. There’s nothing like it!”

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
Having fun. Being different.

What local ingredients are you using right now?
Everything. All the produce from Terry Farms in Orient.

What do you think of the Montauk Fishburger?
Great concept. I hope it works on all levels.

What’s your cocktail of choice this season?
Watermelon Mojito

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
Lobster BLT—Lobster sautéed in citrus butter with fresh, crisp applewood bacon on maple rye with basil aioli

How has the gluten-free eating trend (or other trends) affected your menu?
I adjust. I’m a chef!

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of my…
afternoon cocktails, but she would approve of the flavor I get from my lobster bisque.

I would survive on a desert island if I just had:
lobster butter and rum.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton hosted by Adam Richman on Friday, July 22, and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphy and Eden Grinshpan premieres on Saturday, July 30. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian is Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. For tickets and more info on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com! A portion of this year’s ticket proceeds from GrillHampton and Taste of Two Forks will benefit All For The East End (AFTEE), a 501(c)(3) that showcases and provides support to the more than 1,000 charity organizations in the five East End towns. A portion of proceeds from Harvest East End benefits Long Island Farm Bureau and HRHCare.