Julian Medina Brings the Heat for Team NYC

GrillHampton week is here! Chefs from New York City will compete against Hamptons chefs in the ultimate grilling competition. “I will do my best so we can win this year!” says Chef Julian Medina of New York. Representing popular Mexican eatery Toloache, which has three locations in New York, Chef Medina will be serving tacos al pastor with esquite salad. Medina also heads up a number of other restaurants, including Tacuba, Yerba Buena—two locations—and Coppelia. Here, the busy chef dishes on the competition.

What are you most looking forward to about being part of Dan’s Taste of Summer this year?
Just to be out in the Hamptons is great and cooking for a great cause

Is Team NYC going to win GrillHampton? Why?
This year I hope we will, as last year we lost. I will do my best so we can win this year!

How are you preparing for the competition?
I am discussing with my team our favorite grilled specialties. It seems we are all craving al pastor tacos, so now I will create a new recipe for the event.

What is one thing everyone should try to cook on the grill at least once?
Bicolor corn

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve grilled?
Avocado

Why is the grill the ultimate summer accessory?
Because it is like having a kitchen outside, and you can grill anything you want under the summer sun!

What is the best pairing of food and local pours?
A nice fresh ceviche, or fried seafood

Food that defines summer on the East End:
Lobster, grilled steaks, corn, fluke, tomatoes

If you had two forks in your hands right now, what would you like to stick them in?
Juicy piece of steak and a chunk of avocado

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton presented by Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors on Friday, July 17, and continues on Saturday, July 18, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, both at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, rounds out the trio of events on August 22 in Cutchogue. For more information on all three events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.

What is your favorite local ingredient?
Tomatoes

The perfect drink for a summer night:
Mezcal

Where do you find inspiration?
By reading or just by going to the local farmers market. With so many fresh ingredients, who couldn’t find inspiration!

Favorite East End-inspired meal?
When I am on the East End, I live off of the farmers market, so immediately I want to say a meal incorporating the fresh corn, tomatoes and potatoes.

When you hear “local,” what comes to mind?
Fresh, farm-to-table

Toloache, 166 East 82nd Street, New York; 251 W 50th Street, New York; 205 Thompson Street, New York; toloachenyc.com

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton presented by Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors on Friday, July 17, and continues on Saturday, July 18, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, both at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, rounds out the trio of events on August 22 in Cutchogue. For more information on all three events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.