Culinary Playground

Calling all foodies, oenophiles and cocktail connoisseurs…the Astor Center is your new culinary playground. At the recent launch party, Baltz & Company wrangled some of the top chefs and hottest mixologists in town to prepare a wide array of savory appetizers and original drinks.

Guests including downtown restaurateur David Rabin (Lotus and Los Dados), food columnist Danyelle Freeman (aka Restaurant Girl) and cocktail genius Sasha Petraske (Milk & Honey) sampled the Shrimp Po Boy from Chef Josh DeChellis (BarFry), Salt Cod Brandade from Chef Seamus Mullen (Suba & Boqueria) and Gravy Meatball Sliders from Chef Joey Campanaro (Little Owl).

As for the bar scene, the master mixers rotated every hour on the hour with new concoctions to satiate every taste and preference. Standout cocktails included the Partida Pina Margarita with pineapple and cilantro by Willy Shine of Contemporary Cocktails and the Poisoned Rose with Hendrick’s Gin by Charlotte Voisey, mixologist for William Grant and Sons USA.

The night ended with New York’s favorite guilty pleasure - Magnolia Cupcakes. Chief Baking Officer, Bobbie Lloyd and Master Icer, Elizabeth DeHaven lead an informal class on decorating and frosting in the kitchen. And, yes, those are their real titles…

The Astor Center (399 Lafayette, 212-674-7501), which resides in the landmark Theodore De Vinne Press Building directly above the acclaimed wine and spirits store, is a multi-purpose facility that features three distinct rooms:

The Study, a state-of-the art, amphitheater-style classroom for 36 students, features 50 inch plasma screens, individual light boxes for evaluation of wine and flush sinks at each station.

The Kitchen is designed to support education offerings for 16 active students or 36 demonstration style as well as serves as a fully functional facility for preparation of food.

The Gallery, a 1700 square foot space, is a beautifully restored room with vaulted ceilings, exposed brick and cast iron columns that seats up to 90 for dinner or 135 for cocktails.

Expect a variety of original classes taught by celebrity chefs, sommeliers and cookbook authors as well as many exclusive events. For information about special events, contact Director of Event Services Kathleen Laux at 212-763-0800 or visit www.astorcenternyc.com for a full class schedule.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy of Michael Harlan Turkell