Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Chef John Holmes, Smitty's

Chef John Holmes of Smitty’s All American Grill in Riverhead is looking forward to Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, which will be held on Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. He revels in “the ability to create a dish from the bounty of the earth that makes people smile and say wow.”

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
What fuels my culinary drive seasonally, as well as regionally: Local strawberries, baby!

What’s your beverage of choice this season?
Unsweetened iced tea with a splash of cranberry juice

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
My country baked clams

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
We have gluten-free offerings at Smitty’s and treat them with the same attention to detail as any other dish. We aim to please, catering to any dietary need possible.

What are you most looking forward to at Dan’s Harvest East End?
This year, I’m looking forward to introducing some amazing food to the public and showing them that Smitty’s is the place to be.

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of my use of salt but she would approve of the flavor I get from bread and butter pickles, Norwegian apple pie and her meatballs.

I could survive on a desert island if I just had: fresh fish, fresh fruit and water.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton hosted by Adam Richman on Friday, July 22 and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and Katie Lee, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. VIP tickets for GrillHampton are $185 and offer early access to the event beginning at 7 p.m. General Admission, from 8 p.m.–10:30 p.m., is $135. VIP tickets for Taste of Two Forks are $295 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $185.

The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk hosted by Marc Murphyand Eden Grinshpan premieres on Saturday, July 30. General Admission for ClambakeMTK, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $150. VIP tickets are $250, and include access to the after-party from 10 p.m.–12 a.m.

Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian, is Saturday, August 20, at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. VIP tickets for Harvest East End are $285 and offer early access beginning at 6:30 p.m. General Admission, from 7:30 p.m.–10 p.m., is $135.

A portion of this year’s ticket proceeds from GrillHampton and Taste of Two Forks will benefit All For The East End (AFTEE), a 501(c)(3) that showcases and provides support to the more than 1,000 charity organizations in the five East End towns. A portion of proceeds from Harvest East End benefits Long Island Farm Bureau and HRHCare.

To purchase tickets and get more info on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com!