AMAGANSETT SEA SALT

I recently had the pleasure of spending "a day in the life" with my friend, Steve Judelson co-owner of Amagansett Sea Salt out on the east coast of Long Island. Steve and his wife Natalie started the artisanal food company two years ago. They have captured the distinct flavors of the Hamptons beach air and aromas within a variety of unique finishing salts. The pictures illustrate the process of collection, evaporation and bottling. Our spring day started very early with a trip to Atlantic Beach in Amagansett hauling water to the farm, further inland. The evaporation trays are aligned in perfect rows with white plastic covers to allow the sun to do the magic. Depending on the time of year the salt evaporates to crystal form in a span of days. The trays are organized in stages of evaporation. Nearby the birds are sitting on the fence watching every move and talking amongst themselves. Harvesting is a many step process of sorting and screening. The bottling and bagging is handled at home. Natalie is the keeper of the secret formulas for the different flavors; Merlot, Sag Harbor, Lazy Point, Lemon, herbes de Provence, Truffle, East Hampton, Orient Point etc. In pursuit of local flavors they have partnered with some local vineyards to make finishing salts with the flavors of the wines and have mixed herbs for other varieties. You can meet Steve and Natalie at many farmers markets out east and taste the salts. Many of the local stores now stock the salt and restaurants from Manhattan to the Hamptons are using it in imaginative ways. 11 Madison in NYC has been a major supporter of this salt. If you happen to be at the Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center at the end of the month please stop by the booth and meet my good friends.

DAVID DANIELS for OPERA NEWS

 

David Daniels arrived at 10 am for the cover photo shoot after singing the lead in Giulio Caesar, the four and a half hour Handel opera at the Met the night before. The NYT review had just hit the stands with a full endorsement of his performance, "full-bodied sound, emphatic delivery and technical command." I have had the privledge of photographing many covers for Opera News over the years with Gregory Downer, the art director. The task at hand was to photograph David at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park to highlight his upcoming project of Oscar. This new opera in production at the Sante Fe Opera which depicts the story of Oscar Wilde's life, while looking back at his life from his stay in prison. The Arts Club is from the mid 1800's and is maintained in beautiful condition. Oscar Wilde would have felt comfortable amongst all the antiques. The location in all it's Victorian splendor had so many wonderful possibilities for portraits. David made himself at home and the result is the rich cover and an inside photo in an adjacent room with framed portraits of past and current members of the National Arts Club. Its a wonderful NYC location worth visiting. For me the chance to work with David again and experience the club was truly memorable. Pick up the magazine on the stands or go to this link to see the online version and subscribe.