People Profiles - Culinary

Wine and Culinary | Wineries - Tastings & Tours | Gotta Taste It | Homegrown & Handmade
New York Wine and Culinary Center | Finger Lakin' Good | Routes 5 and 20 | Wine Packages

Also read about:
Alexa Gifford | Brian Nicholson | John Brahm | John Loveland | Julia Eberle

Brian Nicholson

What is your occupation?
Sales, Marketing and Overall Operations Manager
Red Jacket Orchards

Where were you born?
Middletown, NY

What are your favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes?
I absolutely love spending time on the lakes. I can't get enough of either traveling around them to see the country side, find a hidden eatery, listen to music outside and best of all barbeque. I've been sailing the lakes since I was 14 and day dream about being on the water all the time. I'm excited to share this with my kids as they grow up

What is your favorite Finger Lakes "liquid"? Or Finger Lakes food?
Well we are fortunate to have many fine liquids produced here and I'm proud to say that I enjoy most of them. Wagner's Dockside Amber hits the spot on hot days (and an excellent cab franc too). We also take special time with our friends at Anthony Road to lounge on the porch sipping pinot grigio and cab franc gazing out at the view and on a summer day. And on the farm we make some award winning fresh fruit juices…Joe's Summer blend (an apple lemon blend) I enjoy daily

Tip—what would you tell our visitors they must absolutely see or do?
Well the most appropriat response is do whatever makes you happy…you must slow down, relax and enjoy the beauty and crisp air. Find the darkest field, lie on a blanket and stare into the night sky searching for satellites. Let your children run free in a wide open park or along the shores of the lake. Drink in the countryside wine from this fertile ground. Seek out great local food produced from the land that surrounds you. Tip your toe in the lake. Enjoy the finest hospitality and a slice of living history at Sam's Bar and Grill in Geneva to meet the real people who live here…and say "hi" to Cosi for me (there is no other place on earth like it)

What do you love most about our Finger Lakes lifestyle?
The air, the land and people and the ease of living as compared with so many other places in this country - it is hard to compare to what we have here.

Any other comments about you or your career you would like to share?
Well come on by and say "hi" at our farm. Our family has been here for almost 50 years and we're firmly "rooted" here for generations to come. We have much pride in our community and are very proud to have such a rich environment in which to grow…our families and our orchards

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Alexa Gifford

What is your occupation?
Executive Director
New York Wine and Culinary Center

Where were you born?
Hancock, NY

What are your favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes?
Biking and Boating

What is your favorite Finger Lakes "liquid"? Or Finger Lakes food?
Wine, of course

Tip—what would you tell our visitors they must absolutely see or do?
Visit the New York Wine and Culinary Center. Always have your camera ready!

What do you love most about our Finger Lakes lifestyle?
Commute time is shorter, with beautiful scenery along the way

Any other comments about you or your career you would like to share?
No better place than the Finger Lakes to live and work

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John Brahm

What is your occupation?
Wine Master
Arbor Hill Grapery

Where were you born?
Canandaigua, NY

What are your favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes?
Make and drink wine

What is your favorite Finger Lakes "liquid"? Or Finger Lakes food?
Traminette with spicy fish

Tip—what would you tell our visitors they must absolutely see or do?
Scenic overlook-County Rd. 12, South Bristol

What do you love most about our Finger Lakes lifestyle?
The Finger Lakes is private and beautiful

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Julia Eberle

What is your occupation?
Pastry Chef and Bakery Owner
Cobblestone Creek Bakery

Where were you born?
Manhattan, KS

What are your favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes?
Check out all the latest restaurants, take drives into the countryside, walks in the fabulous parks, bicycling, boating and wine tours around the Finger Lakes region

What is your favorite Finger Lakes "liquid"? Or Finger Lakes food?
I enjoy visiting many of the local wineries in Upstate, NY ie: Prejean, Heron Hill, Bully Hill, Widmers, Miles, Fox Run to name a few. I enjoy both white and red wine. I suppose that the white wine is more popular in this area

Tip—what would you tell our visitors they must absolutely see or do?
I would tell visitors to take a drive around one of the many different Finger Lakes and check out some of the wineries, take a walk, get a bite to eat and check out the new culinary center for the great ambiance, tastings and food in Canandaigua, located near the north end pier

What do you love most about our Finger Lakes lifestyle?
I love the different seasons in the Finger Lakes. My favorite time of year of course is the fall, there are so many beautiful colors. The terrain is also beautiful, the old barns in the countryside, wine tastings and tours, water activities, many nice parks to take advantage of and antiquing in this area

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John Loveland

What is your occupation?
Owner and Creator
Allens Hill Farm

Where were you born?
Auburn, NY

What are your favorite things to do in the Finger Lakes?
I love to tour the wineries, especially in the off season when there is time to really talk, taste and relax. I try to drive various routes since I never fail to find some amazing new view, waterfall or place to eat. The whole area is studded with hidden jewels

What is your favorite Finger Lakes "liquid"? Or Finger Lakes food?
How can you pick a favorite? Since we are all about apples, you have to check out the many great varieties of apples and cider. Many wineries are now producing some great dry roses. To complete this little snack, you have to try some of our local cheeses which I feel are comparable to imported varieties

Tip—what would you tell our visitors they must absolutely see or do?
Some of the best scenery can be found in the Bristol Hills. Head down County Road 37 south of route 20A in Honeoye and have the camera ready. Go all the way to the Harriet Hollister Park overlook and you'll think you are in the Alps!

What do you love most about our Finger Lakes lifestyle?
The Finger Lakes offers almost every activity, experience or culinary choice one could want. Yet, it has not become commercialized. It has really maintained its rural, small town feel but with all of the amenities to be found in the finest resort areas

Any other comments about you or your career you would like to share?
We are one of the best areas in the country for someone considering starting a specialty food business. The resources of the Cornell Food Venture Center, amazing agricultural products, great associations and the NY Wine and Culinary Center have created real synergy that a food entrepreneur can tap into

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