Dan's Taste of Summer: Lynn Calvo, Lynn's Hula Hut

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. Dan’s Papers‘ newest Taste of Summer event, ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk, premieres on Saturday, July 30. It will be the largest oceanfront food and drink fest ever to hit Montauk. Lynn’s Hula Hut owner Lynn Calvo will be attending both of these events. She says, “I’m very proud of my new cocktail book Tiki with a Twist from Sterling Publishing. It includes organic infusions, purées, handcrafted syrups, and a few of my signature cocktails served at Lynn’s Hula Hut in Montauk. I plan to bottle some of my drinks in the near future.”

What fuels your creativity?
Traveling and visiting the local farmers market, really get my creativity going.

What local ingredients do you use?
I’ve been getting into using a wide variety of peppers, some hot, some sweet, and pairing them with tropical fruits to create new purées.

What do you think of the Montauk Fishburger?
I think the Fishburger is a great way to give kids a healthier lunch choice.

What is your local cocktail of choice this season?
The Brazilian Breezer, which I serve at the Hut. The fresh cucumber is so refreshing.

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
My Pacific Rim seafood soup!

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
It really hasn’t. Lynn’s Hula Hut mostly serves cocktails with light bites. Most of our signature cocktails are handcrafted with organic and fresh fruit purées.

What are you most looking forward to at the Dan’s Taste of Summer events?
Mostly I enjoy checking out other chefs’ creations. There are some amazingly talented people out there!

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of me…
garnishing a cocktail with a Caprese skewer (mozzarella, fresh basil and cherry tomato)

but I’m certain that she’d love…
the Caprese skewer when paired with some Tito’s vodka, fresh lemon juice, heirloom tomato juice and a bit of fresh basil purée. It’s delicious!

I could survive on a desert island if I just had:
bay scallops and fresh fluke, tequila and, of course, my signature Hula juice!

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 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.