The seventh-annual Taste of the Seaport drew hundreds of foodies top the historic South Street Seaport on Oct. 15 to raise money for local schools.
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
The cobblestone streets of Front St. and Peck Slip became one big food-and-schmooze fest for the denizens of Downtown and other foodies over the weekend.
John St. residents Georgio Ivessa, at left, and husband Rick Gilbert sampled the wares.
Tantalizing samples were offered by participating purveyors — from soups to sliders, all sorts of specialties kept the hungry grazing their way through the afternoon. There were also baked goodies, juices, and a wine and beer stall.
All the food offerings were donated by local businesses for this seventh-annual Taste of the Seaport, which raises money for extra school programs — such as Spanish, music, dance, library books, and teacher development — at the Spruce Street School and the Peck Street School. Taste of the Seaport is the conceptual offspring of Taste of Tribeca, which held its 22nd culinary street feast in May.
On Saturday, John St. residents Rick Gilbert and Georgio Ivessa sampled the chicken BLT and the shrimp sandwich from booths on the Fulton St. side.
“We like to support events down here, particularly outdoor food events,” Gilbert said.
Trading Post Chef Arturo Porras served up risotto.
While there were many mouth-watering meat sandwiches, volunteer Vicki Raikes, whose two kids go to Peck Slip, had some advice for vegetarians.
“Go meet Da Claudio — his grilled vegetable sandwich is absolutely delicious, and also the risotto from Trading Post,” she said.
The event, which is about good will as well as good food, always attracts a gaggle of volunteers. It was the third year volunteering for Shelley Grams, who greeted people and sold tickets — 5 tastes for $40 — at the entrance at Peck Slip and Front St. She also designed the event’s website.
More than 120 volunteers sporting T-shirts emblazoned with “Taste of the Seaport” in aqua blue letters assisted the restaurateurs and generally helped run the four-hour event, which also included live music at the main stage that skirted Water Street.
Eric DiVito, a music teacher at Spruce Street, led off the entertainment with his band.
Councilmember Margaret Chin and Community Board 1 member Paul Hovitz turned up to show their support — and chow down.
Then rock- and soul-a-billy band The Pens — featuring two parents with kids at Spruce Street, Stefan Zovich on guitar and Learan Kahanov on washboard and drums — went on at noon.
“Our next gig is Nov. 28 at Cow Girl Seahorse — a participating restaurant,” Zovich said.
Spruce Street parent-volunteer Caroline O’Connor coordinated restaurant recruitment, and said efforts to ensure food safety made her job a bit more difficult.
“This is the second year the health department has monitored us,” she said, adding that a few restaurants had pulled out because a rating on their booth can affect their restaurant rating. “We make sure everyone has head coverings and gloves. Food temperatures must be at least 140 degrees for hot dishes and less than 40 degrees for cold,” she added.
Councilmember Margaret Chin was persuaded to try Suteishi’s sushi nachos, and nodded approvingly with each bite.
On Peck Slip there was face painting for the kids as well as games, and Dunkin’ Donuts had a stall where the kids could top their own donuts.
“I wish I had a kid,” a nearby grown-up said wistfully.
Dunkin’ Donuts hosted a donut-decorating station for the kids.
