Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Chef Gretchen Menser of Fresno

Head chef Gretchen Menser is inspired by the seasons when creating her menus at Fresno in East Hampton. As we head into the summer season here in the Hamptons, that means local ingredients, a little time at the beach and, of course, Dan’s Taste of Summer.

This year the weekend comprising Taste of Two Forks and GrillHampton has been dubbed Dan’s Taste of Summer. What does the phrase “taste of summer” mean to you?
Get some great local ingredients and create something inspiring

What are you most looking forward to as you return to Dan’s Taste of Two Forks again this year?
The camaraderie between the chefs and meeting new people.

Describe your best/favorite culinary experience since last year’s Taste of Two Forks and GrillHampton.
Pulled pork with pickled red onions and habanero sauce in Mexico

What have been the biggest and best changes you’ve witnessed in the culinary culture of the East End in the past 5 years?
The expanding use of local ingredients and sustainable products

When you hear the phrase “local,” what comes to mind?
Oysters, corn, tomatoes, honey, striped bass

Where do you find inspiration, inside and outside the kitchen?
In the kitchen: when local farmers come to deliver Outside the kitchen: At the beach

What’s your favorite food- or drink-related song and why:
Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice”—we listen to a lot of hip hop in the kitchen

If you were packing for an East End picnic, what are 3 things we’d find in your basket?
Rosé, baguette and some cheese

What drink are you looking forward to enjoying on a hot summer night?
Rosé or sauvignon blanc

Finish this sentence: An empty plate… should be filled with beautiful food.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 11, and continues on Saturday, July 12 with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks, both at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. For more information on both events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.