Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Carmine Di Giovanni, The Greenwich

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. Chef Carmine Di Giovanni of The Greenwich will be there in the flesh and, as a sort of bonus, he’d like you to know that “I’m a huge gym buff.”

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
I’m fueled up by the ingredients found in local markets and by the weather. Every new season creates exciting challenges for me and new ingredients to cook with.

What local ingredients are you using right now?
English peas, goat cheese and heirloom carrots

What do you think of the Montauk Fishburger?
I love the idea of the Fishburger. The sustainability of the burger and its message is something I enjoy supporting because I try to use local ingredients to stay healthy and economically friendly.

What’s your cocktail of choice this season?
Grapefruit sangria with mezcal

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
Sweetbreads prepared with snails, bacon and roasted garlic

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
I’ve always cooked about 90% gluten free, so this trend hasn’t really affected my cooking. With my cooking, I remain focused on the protein and market vegetable, but when preparing gluten free, I feel that taste and texture should not suffer.

What are you most looking forward to at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks?
Hanging out with other chefs in the Hamptons.

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of my kitchen style, but she would approve of the flavor I get from tuna tartare.

I could survive on a desert island if I just had: steak and wine.

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. VIP tickets for GrillHampton are $185 and offer early access to the event beginning at 7 p.m. General Admission, from 8 p.m.–10:30 p.m., is $135. VIP tickets for Taste of Two Forks are $295 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $185.

The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphy and Eden Grinshpan premieres on Saturday, July 30. General Admission for ClambakeMTK, from 7:30–10 p.m., is $150. VIP tickets are $250, and include access to the after-party from 10 p.m.–12 a.m.

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. VIP tickets for Harvest East End are $285 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $135.

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.

To purchase tickets and get more info on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com.