Dan’s Taste of Two Forks Countdown: Chef Joe Realmuto of Nick & Toni’s

One of the great joys of summertime in the Hamptons is kicking back with the perfect beverage and enjoying a glorious East End evening. If you ask Executive Chef Joe Realmuto of Nick & Toni’s what that perfect drink would be—and we did—he suggests the simple yet sublime “Mount Gay and tonic.” Realmuto will be on hand to share more delicious treats at the second annual Dan’s Taste of Two Forks food and wine event on July 14 in Bridgehampton, but we couldn’t wait until then to make a few more epicurean inquiries…

What Are You Most Looking Forward to at Dan’s Taste of Two Forks:
Meeting up with some old chef friends that I never get to see and catch up as well with some customers I have not seen in a while. Chefs are always stuck in the kitchen so we don’t get a chance to interact with customers too much, so these events are a great way to do that.

What quality do you most admire in a chef? Passion for his craft and the food they work with. This is not a job for someone doing it for a paycheck—it will show in their food.

What would be your one request of the cooking gods? Make the winter season shorter. There is not much good fresh produce that time of year.

If I looked inside your refrigerator right now, what would I find? A lot of condiments, fresh fruit, wine and beer and plenty of items to put out a nice antipasto

What is one food or dish that everyone should try at least once in life? Foie gras!

Describe your relationship with food in three words: Love, passion, creativity

Food That Defines Summer on Long Island: Tomatoes and corn

If you had two forks in your hands right now, what would you like to stick them in:
Raw bar and foie gras torchon

The World Ends Tomorrow. Your Last Meal Would Be: Grilled hot dogs and a Stella Artois

What Is Your Favorite Local Ingredient(s): Striped bass

What Is Your Guilty Food Pleasure These Days: Pizza. I have given up a lot of carbs, so I miss pizza the most.

What’s Great About Being Part of the Cuisine Culture on the East End: We have so much access to local ingredients.

The second annual Dan’s Taste of Two Forks is Saturday, July 14, at Sayre Park in Bridgehampton. Click here for more information and to get your tickets now!