Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Jorge Espinoza, Scarpetta Beach

Dan’s Papers newest Taste of Summer event, Clambake MTK at Gurney’s Montauk, premieres on Saturday, July 30. It will be the largest oceanfront food and drink fest ever to hit Montauk. Chef Jorge Espinoza from Gurney’s Italian eatery, Scarpetta Beach, says he’s looking forward “to the opportunity to see what other chefs are creating” at this foodie extravaganza. LDV Hospitality’s iconic Scarpetta made its way Out East in 2015 with Scarpetta Beach, the beachfront version of its original Meatpacking District location. The hotspot delivers the same signature classics on the menu, in addition to more seasonally influenced dishes and local produce and seafood selections paired with an Italian wine list.

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
The new produce each season brings. I become inspired once I see all the new flavors I can create.

What local ingredients are you using right now?
I try to use as much local produce as I can. Right now, I’m using zucchini blossoms, peas, radishes and baby leeks.

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
I would serve my halibut wrapped in lardo with smoked potato sauce and Romanesque cauliflower.

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
It hasn’t affected our menu, but I think every restaurant should offer an option for people who can’t have gluten. I’m working on a recipe to have gluten-free pasta at Scarpetta.

Please complete this sentence: I could survive on a desert island if I just had: pasta, bread, and water.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 22, and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox, 19 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton.

New to the lineup this year is the oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk, 290 Old Montauk Highway in Montauk on July 30.

Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, rounds out the series on August 20 at McCall Vineyard and Ranch, 22600 Main Road, Cutchogue.

For tickets and more information on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com!