Dan’s Taste of Two Forks Countdown: Dylan Lauren

Dylan Lauren, founder and CEO of Dylan’s Candy Bar, reinvented the concept of the candy store with her confection-filled wonderlands in New York City, Orlando, Houston, Garden City and East Hampton. We know “The Candy Queen” will bring a decidedly sweet air to Dan’s Taste of Two Forks when she joins top chefs, winemakers and food lovers on July 16, but did you know…

•Martha Stewart was her first culinary influence, but Dylan got the dream for her own candy emporium by seeing Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory…on her 5^th birthday!

•Dylan’s Candy Bar offers more than 5,000 varieties of candies from around the world.

•Dylan has said her favorite treats are Cadbury Creme Eggs and Marshmallow Fluff—although she says she also eats gummies every day.

•You won’t find it on every calendar, but according to the National Confectioner Association, July 15 is National Gummi Worm Day. Wonder if we’ll get any gummies at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks a day later?

•Among Dylan’s favorite things in her stores are the Famous Favorites—mini bags of candy that famous fans fill with their top treats and autograph for a must-see in-store display. The hall of fame includes sweets-loving luminaries from Oprah to Steven Spielberg.

•Dylan’s favorite color is turquoise pantone 3135—but only to look at and wear. If you want to offer her some candy, go red, as in licorice and Swedish Fish.

•The invitation to Dylan’s bridal shower was a strawberry chocolate bar, and the shower itself showcased an edible bouquet made of sugar flowers, a tiara of hard candies and favors including a Ring Pop and a candy necklace.

•Russell Brand gets a job at Dylan’s Candy Bar in Arthur—and Dylan appears as herself. We knew there was a reason we liked this remake.

•Dylan’s Candy Bar on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is the biggest candy store in the world.

•Her book, Dylan’s Candy Bar: Unwrap Your Sweet Life, reflects the creative influence of dad Ralph and mom Ricky, and contains everything from candy-entertaining and decorating ideas to candy history to cocktail recipes—including her favorite, a Gummi Bear Martini.

Dan’s Taste of Two Forks is Saturday, July 16, in Sayre Park in Bridgehampton. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit danstasteoftwoforks.com