Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2008

BY JILL D’AMICO

Brooklyn has long been heralded as a cultural destination, but lately, its food offerings have been heaped with as much praise.

Drawing an impressive number of visitors and residents alike to the far corners of the borough in search of the best pizza, hot dog, and shawarma, Brooklyn’s culinary and artistic offerings are set to come together for an unforgettable event.

For the triumphant return of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Brooklyn Eats™ on April 30 at 6 p.m., the program has been tweaked to meld that reputation with Brooklyn’s world-class artistic venues. The event will take place at Abigail Kirsch at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

That meeting of the gastronomical and cultural will mean guests at the Brooklyn Eats program will sample the goods from restaurants and beverage manufacturers and distributors, organized by neighborhood and in the context of their cultural offerings.

The new format promises to promote the ethnic and cultural diversity that Brooklyn is known for the world over – as well as a delicious dining experience.

“The Brooklyn Chamber is gearing up to make sure Brooklyn Eats, as the borough’s premiere tasting event, exceeds all expectations with this triumphant return,” said Carl Hum, president and chief operating officer of the Brooklyn Chamber. “By pairing local food and drink with the borough’s outstanding array of cultural and arts venues, this event is set to benefit businesses across Brooklyn.”

Also on hand will be representatives from the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges and Tour Operators and the Guides Association of New York City to help attendees get the best out of their Brooklyn tasting experience.

More than 30 of Brooklyn’s over 1,000 restaurants will be represented, such as Blue Ribbon Sushi, Dressler, Palo Santo and Solomon’s Porch. There will be wine, beer and more from Brooklyn Brewery, Dallis Coffee, and Southern Wine and Spirits. Finally, to tie it all together, cultural institutions represented include the Brooklyn Academy of Music, St. Ann’s Warehouse, the Museum of Contemporary African Disaporan Arts, and many more.

Fans of Brooklyn fare will be ready to sample the goods from what many call the best eating in the city.

To ensure Brooklyn maintains its stable of talented chefs, winners of the 6th Brooklyn Eats™ Scholarships will also be announced at the event. The award is given to three hospitality management students from the New York City College of Technology, who will unveil a recipe created especially for the event.

Brooklyn Eats™ first premiered in 1997, capitalizing on the burgeoning restaurant scene in the borough. Quickly, it garnered media attention and grew to include a restaurant guide, Web site ( http://www.brooklyneats.com/), a scholarship fund, fundraisers and author signings.

Support for the event is provided by Commerce Bank, Brooklyn Tourism, Heart of Brooklyn, and New York City College of Technology.

The event is being presented with the cooperation of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York City Council and the New York City Department of Small Business Services.

For more information about this year’s Brooklyn Eats™ and to purchase tickets go to http://www.brooklyneats.com/ or call Maggie Beaute-Lucien, director of special events, at 718-875-1000 ext. 105. Interested restaurateurs and caterers may contact Event Director Martha Bear Dallis, Bear Dallis Associates, at 718-522-0209 or at events@beardallis.com.