Inside The New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden

Mario Batali Loves The Garden

Posted in The Edible Garden on October 18 2010, by Plant Talk

Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content.

And the feeling is completely mutual!

The celebrity chef and philanthropist came to The New York Botanical Garden on Saturday to do a cooking demo for the finale weekend of The Edible Garden.

Just before thrilling the audience with his amazing food, anecdotes, tips, and tricks, we got a few minutes to ask Mario what he likes about the Botanical Garden.

Turns out: He likes the Garden quite a bit. We’re blushing!

Mario loves us! He really loves us!

Stay tuned for more from Mario’s demo. We’ll be posting another video soon, and recipes, too.

The Edible Garden: Final Weekend

Posted in The Edible Garden on October 15 2010, by Plant Talk

After a stellar summer full of produce, cooking demos, and celebrity chefs, The Edible Garden is nearing its end, but not without one final, jam packed weekend.

On Saturday catch a cooking demo with Mario Batali at 12 p.m., Michael Psilakis at 2 p.m. and Marc Forgione at 4 p.m.

Sunday’s cooking demos feature Todd English at 1 p.m. and Sara Jenkins at 4 p.m.

There will be booksignings and samples on the Tasting Terrace both days.

And once you’re back home, keep the spirit of The Edible Garden alive by trying one of these fantastic recipes.

Mario Batali and the Garden Team Up for a Special Contest!

Posted in The Edible Garden on October 12 2010, by Plant Talk

Mario BataliNew York’s favorite orange Crocs-wearing chef is coming to The New York Botanical Garden on Saturday, October 16, and we couldn’t be more excited!

So to celebrate we’re running a contest in conjunction with the King of Eataly himself.  All you have to do is “like” both The New York Botanical Garden and Mario Batali on Facebook, and then leave a comment on both pages answering a simple question: What would you like to have Mario Batali cook for you if he were to come to your house? On the The Garden’s page, base your answer on this post. On Mario Batali’s page, base your answer on this database of recipes.  And that’s it!

Only people who leave a comment on both pages by 1 p.m. Friday, October, 15 will be entered into a drawing from which one winner will be chosen at random. We’ll announce the winner on Friday afternoon on Facebook.

What’s the prize you ask? If you’re in New York City, we’ll reserve two front-row seats at Batali’s cooking demonstration just for you and a guest, plus you’ll receive a special gift from Mario. Not in New York? Never fear! You’ll still get the gift from Mario Batali, plus a little something from us!

So remember: Don’t leave a comment here, leave it on each of the two Facebook pages. Buona fortuna!

What’s Growing in Mario Batali’s Garden?

Posted in The Edible Garden on October 12 2010, by Plant Talk

Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content.

Mario BataliMario Batali loves food.  I know. I once, quite by mistake, was fortunate enough to follow him and his wife around the Union Square Greenmarket here in New York City. My husband and I were shopping for dinner and were quite focused on the task at hand, but we kept bumping into the chef and his wife. His love of the market, the farmers and the community surrounding it was obvious. Here was a man who truly loves food.

I see this same love, dare I say gusto, in Mario’s selections for his raised garden bed in the Home Gardening Center here at The New York Botanical Garden. The inevitable waning of the growing season has naturally dwindled the selection remaining in the garden, but everything that is still in there is beautiful, fragrant, delicious and just begging to be cooked. When I go to visit the Home Gardening Center (it’s quite near the Cafe, and a lovely place to stroll around for a few minutes after lunch) I love playing a game with the Celebrity Chef gardens planted in conjunction with the Edible Garden: If so-and-so were to come to my house tonight to cook me dinner, what out of this garden would I ask them to cook?

Head below the jump for an exciting chance to win front-row seats to Mario Batali's cooking demo at The New York Botanical Garden Saturday, October 16!

The Rose Garden in Fall

Posted in Gardens and Collections on October 8 2010, by Plant Talk

Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content.

Yesterday a colleague and I headed over to the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden for a video shoot with the curator of the garden, Peter Kukielski. I’m new to The New York Botanical Garden, and haven’t been able to explore the 250 acres of gardens, exhibitions and forest as fully as I would have liked to by this point (Oh meetings! Oh weather!), so imagine my surprise when we crested the hill overlooking the Rose Garden and were enveloped by the intoxicating scent of the roses welling up to meet us.

Unreal. I wish smell-o-vision existed so I could give you a small preview of the aroma! Sadly it doesn’t. And even though I had previously read about the phenomenal show that the roses put on in fall, I still wasn’t prepared for how glorious the Rose Garden is right now. So, if you’re in the New York City area this weekend and looking for something to do, come to The Garden and take time to smell the roses. You won’t be sorry.

Roses not your thing? Never fear! There's plenty going on at The Garden this weekend.

October Brings Pumpkins Galore to the Garden!

Posted in Exhibitions, The Edible Garden on October 1 2010, by Plant Talk

Michael Natiello FunkinsPumpkins will be center stage this month: at The Edible Garden Conservatory Kitchen, at a brand new display during Halloween Hoorah in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, in the Pumpkin Patch across from the Ruth Rea Howell Family Garden, and in a special showcase of champion giant pumpkins.

This weekend (October 2–3) don’t miss Classy Parker of Just Food and Jason Weiner of Almond restaurants whip up dishes with pumpkins (and potatoes, too!).

Columbus Day Weekend (October 9–11) brings more pumpkins and cooking with kids at a harvest celebration featuring celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, crafts, tasty treats, and music.

Halloween Hoorah begins October 9—and runs all the way through October 31—treating visitors to a frightfully fun journey through a setting of hundreds of jack-o’-lanterns, parades, cider pressing, and more. Get a sneak peek of the spectacle, and learn about Michael Anthony Natiello, the artist who created the pumpkin sculptures.

The Pumpkin Patch has been growing all season, and now’s the time to see it at its best.

Some of the winning pumpkins from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-ins will be at the Garden beginning October 22—last year a world record of 1,725 pounds was set! Bring your camera for great photo ops.

So make sure to “carve out” some family time to come to Garden this month. It’s so fun, it’s scary.

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