Amy Sowder
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Articles by Amy Sowder
Malcolm Gladwell, other award-winning authors to descend upon Katonah
Organizers add church venue, double events The Westchester Book Festival returns Nov. 7 with author talks and book signings. Above, a book signing session at Katonah Village Library during last year’s festival.FILE PHOTO By AMY SOWDER Malcolm Gladwell’s session sold out weeks ago, but more than a dozen other bestselling and prize-winning authors will be on hand when an expanded Westchester Book Festival returns to Katonah on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Crackle, crumb and a baker named ‘Shoe’
Hsi-yun “Shoe” Hsiung with his signature paesano loaf. AMY SOWDER PHOTO By AMY SOWDER Hsi-yun “Shoe” Hsiung leans into the lever and hand-crank as the blade of his vintage-style rotary wheel slicer sweeps through the loaf with a dry, shattering crackle. The crust is crunchy, nutty, and the deep gold of toasted hazelnuts, stamped across the top with a delicate laurel pattern.
Tasting Notes
Farm Cafe II opens in Chappaqua The Farm Cafe’s second location opened Oct. 10 at 75 South Greeley Ave., Chappaqua, with a limited menu of coffee and baked goods, with sandwiches and more to follow. Fall flavors include apple cider doughnuts and pumpkin spice coffees. Grab-and-go items include mini charcuterie plates from Roc Boards. The original is located at 26 Broadway, Valhalla.
Pkhali platter at Badageoni has Georgia on my mind
Badageoni’s signature pkhali platter. AMY SOWDER PHOTO By AMY SOWDER Walnuts are a big deal in Georgian cuisine. Since Badageoni opened in July 2019, diners heading to the downtown Mount Kisco restaurant expect authentic cuisine from the small country that sits in between Eastern Europe and Western Asia with Russia to the north and Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the south.
Eager eaters line up for burgers and shakes in Mount Kisco
The line began to form in mid-morning for the grand opening of a new Shake Shack on North Bedford Road in Mount Kisco. AMY SOWDER PHOTO By AMY SOWDER Thirty minutes after Mount Kisco’s Shake Shack opened to the public for the first time, Irene Tam was there. With her husband in tow at 10:30 a.m. on Sept.
What is the difference between a convection oven and a conventional oven?
What Is The Difference Between A Convection Oven And A Conventional Oven? The simple question, "What is the difference between a convection oven and a conventional oven?" inevitably leads to another query: "Which one is better?" The first answer is easy — a convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air. The second answer is more complicated and depends on what you're cooking.
Herb fair returns to Caramoor on Sept. 19, celebrating 75 years
It began in a backyard in 1951. Now the Herb Fair & Market brings out upwards of 2,500 people who buy plants, attend education sessions and hands-on workshops. By AMY SOWDER The annual Herb Fair & Market had its roots in someone’s backyard. “When you think about it, it’s actually crazy,” said Nicoletta Salvi, an organizer and also co-chair of the New York Unit of the Herb Society of America, which hosts the event returning Saturday, Sept. 19, to Caramoor in Katonah, for its 75th year.
Shake Shack set to open Sept. 16 with swag
After months of construction, delays and online rumors, Shake Shack will open Wednesday, Sept. 16, in Mount Kisco, to sell its popular milkshakes, burgers and more. The New York City-based burger chain confirmed the date with The Recorder in an email. Its new location at 176 North Bedford Road will be the brand’s 72nd in New York state and its sixth in the Westchester area. On opening day, the first wave of guests will receive custom Shake Shack tote bags.
How two Westchester moms built an online farmers market
By AMY SOWDER Jessica Jarrett, left, and Shannon Nitti, founders of Farmstand Society. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Every Monday, when the orders start piling up for packing, Shannon Nitti takes a photo. Farmers are dropping off cucumbers and tomatillos, bakers are hauling in trays of sourdough, and vendors’ children are running around underfoot. “That’s probably my favorite day of the market, seeing everyone coming together,” said Nitti, who co-founded an online farmer’s market with Jessica Jarrett.
Farmers market find: bouquets of garlic from Chubby Dove
By AMY SOWDER There’s a stand at the North Salem Farmers Market where the garlic comes with a bonus: a handful of colorful dried flowers tucked into the bundle, just because. Ariana Scecchitano displays her garlic bouquets at her stall at the North Salem Farmers Market. AMY SOWDER PHOTO “I hang dry flowers in my living room and need something to do with them,” said Ariana Scecchitano, who farms alongside her partner, Todd Stevens, at Chubby Dove Farm in Highland Mills, an hour west of North Salem.
How To Use A Crock-Pot Like A Pro
A Crock-Pot takes up a lot of counter and cupboard space, but it's convenient and doesn't take a lot of headspace. This no-brainer is one of our favorite cooking methods when it gets chilly outside because it's ideal for comforting soups and stews, beans, and heavy, cheap cuts of meat that turn tender after receiving the low-and-slow cooking treatment. It even does cozy cold weather cocktails.
Bluebird’s Stumptown Brownie Sundae is for grownups
The signature sundae at Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream in Cross River includes coffee ice cream, chunks of brownies and and fudge. AMY SOWDER PHOTOS By AMY SOWDER For 14 years, just down the road from John Jay Middle and High schools in Cross River, Barbara Kessler has made her own ice cream — the good stuff. All the flavors of her Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream shop’s namesake dish have 14% milkfat.
What's in season? Strawberries at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
By AMY SOWDER Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard general manager Kristina Jahaly and farm manager Greg Rotter in the strawberry fields. AMY SOWDER PHOTOS Kristina Jahaly squatted down, cradling a red berry dotted with yellow-green seeds shaped like upside-down teardrops. “Isn’t that perfect?” she asked.
Mount Kisco turns storefronts into galleries for first Art Walk
By AMY SOWDER Artwork by Linda Cindrich is displayed at Blue Heron Tea and Coffee shop. AMY SOWDER PHOTO Jessica M. Colón drifted from storefront to storefront through downtown Mount Kisco, pausing to study paintings, quilts and mixed media tucked into shop windows and on café walls across the village. By the time Colón reached the last one, she said it felt like the whole town had come alive.
Katonah Chili Cook-off returns for 17th year
By AMY SOWDER The chilis sat brooding in their slow cookers, dark and smoky and chunky. A bluegrass band plucked a banjo and sawed away on a fiddle. The line of people snaked out the door, each carrying a large wooden tray held out like an offering. And one man walked away with a trophy he threatened to wear on a thick gold chain.
Hot Dish: Oh-so creamy polenta at Provisions
Creamy Plolenta, the signature dish at Provisions in Mount Kisco. Amy Sowder photos By AMY SOWDER The milk hits the pot first. Chef Eric Korn lifts a quart of Ronnybrook Farm whole milk — the real thing, cream-top, local — and eases it into the pan over medium heat. He watches it with quiet attention, the way a person watches something they have made many times but never stopped caring about. His hands are unhurried. His expression is soft, almost nostalgic. “It reminds me of my grandma,” he said.
oHHo’s THC seltzers creating a buzz nationally
The Bedford-based company seeks clear marketplace regulation at federal and state levels while continuing to educate the public on its feel-good drinks and products. Will Laird photo oHHo's seltzers are flavored with natural ingredients. Will Laird photos By AMY SOWDER Bedford’s location of oHHo The Old Firehouse has them. So do a growing number of retailers nationwide.
What’s in Season: Lobster Hill Farm’s ham steak
Andrew Jarrett of Lobster Hill Farm in Brewster with his ham steaks. Amy Sowder PHotos By AMY SOWDER In the woodlands of Brewster about 20 minutes north of Katonah, pigs grunt and snort their satisfaction as they root under the branches and fallen leaves for insects and other foraged food. This is the backdrop where the Jarrett family live and work their 75-acre Lobster Hill Farm.
HOT DISH: Purple ube lattes at Little Pink Cup
Clockwise from top left, Little Pink Cup bartender Hugo Guzman, some of the Mount Kisco café’s offerings, including purple ube lattes, a sprinkle of rose powder. AMY SOWDER PHOTOS By AMY SOWDER When it comes to the drinks at Little Pink Cup, baristas don’t stay dainty and demure. They think big — far beyond the parameters of the downtown Mount Kisco cafe’s signature blushing tones.
Here’s Where to Score Irish Soda Bread in Westchester County
Whether everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day is debatable, but one thing is certain: Irish soda bread is pleasing no matter how you slice it. Room temp, toasted, with or without raisins, dusted with powdered sugar, or crusty and plain on top, this little piece of Ireland goes down easy, and it makes no difference from whence your people came. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places to pick up a loaf of Irish soda bread in Westchester.
An herbalist’s passion for palate-pleasing plants
Dr. Susan Rubin (Amy Sowder Photo) By AMY SOWDER They call it “holy basil” for a reason. Also called tulsi, or Ocimum tenuiflorum, this hallowed cloud-parting herb was considered sacred by Hindus, has many health benefits different from traditional culinary basil and originated in India. An anti-inflammatory and adaptogen, tulsi has evidence-backed metabolic benefits such as reducing blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, fatigue, stress and anxiety, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
What’s in Season: Ginger from Turtle Rock Farm in Bedford
By AMY SOWDER Knobby, twisted and an unimpressive shade of beige, ginger is a prime example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Underneath that thin, bark-like exterior lies a hidden power to punch up the flavor of your food like no other. And Brian Mansour grows it right here in Bedford. “With baby ginger, it’s milder, super tender, not fibrous. The more mature the ginger, the more intense the flavor is.
Hot Dish: Wogies Philly cheesesteak in Katonah
Clockwise from top, the Wogies Philly cheesesteak, owner Aaron Hoffman, the outside of the old firehouse, a fire truck bell and helmet shields. Amy Sowder Photos By AMY SOWDER Aaron Hoffman comes by his Philly cheesesteak chops honestly. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., he opened Wogies Bar & Grill in New York City’s West Village 22 years ago and then in the Financial District 10 years later before moving his family to Katonah and opening a third location in the old firehouse downtown in June 2025.
Tapping into the local maple syrup sweetness
Amy Sowder 20 minutes ago 6 min read Chris Evers of North Salem last winter made about six gallons of maple syrup by tapping local trees. Chris evers Photo Chris Evers taps trees with KooneyKooney the pig. LISA SCHNEIDER PHOTO A sap to syrup kids educational tool at Muscoot Farm. AMY SOWDER PHOTO Maple sap evaporating over a wood fire.
Learning & Enrichment: Why play matters
From top right, table filled with materials for play at the Boys & Girls Club. Free play, according to childhood development experts, fosters curiousity and learning through experience. (Amy Sowder photos). Play should be spontaneous and not designed for specific outcomes, according to Emily Bly. (Kaz Sheekey Photo) Nicole Crispinelli says unstructured play is crucial for learning and development.
Exit 4’s double-baked pizza in Mount Kisco
Amy Sowder 2 hours ago 3 min read Can you dub this double-baked pizza? Exit 4's double-baked pizza. Amy Sowder photos. Exit 4 owner Isi Albanese. Exit 4's double-baked pizza, slices that don't flop. By Amy Sowder Everyone has an opinion about how pizza is “supposed” to be. We have Team Wood-Fired, Team Coal Oven, Team Sicilian, Team Foldable, Team Crispy, Team Toppings and Team Simple. Turns out, there’s a lot of ways to make and enjoy this ubiquitous savory pie.
Dip inside for delicious dumplings this winter
Amy Sowder 10 minutes ago 5 min read Above beef momos from Sikkim Hut in Thornwood.. Amy Sowder photos Above and below, khinkali dumplings from Badageoni Georgian in Mount Kisco. By AMY SOWDER When the bitter winter winds chill your bones, it’s comforting to turn to those steaming-hot culinary cushions we call dumplings. Spiced ground meats, seafood and vegetables nestle in thin sheets of dough twisted up top or pinched at the seams for something soft, warm, filling and oh-so savory.
What's in Season: Local linguine for clams
Cielo Howell, right, with nests of the homemade pasta.AMY SOWDER PHOTOS Local linguini from Katonah Pasta has become part of the holiday season for Catholics and others. By AMY SOWDER When thinking of the December holiday season, pasta probably isn’t what comes to mind. Unless you’re Italian or you like Italian food … like the vast majority of Americans.
Readers, authors revel in first Westchester Book Festival
Amy Sowder 30 minutes ago 5 min read By AMY SOWDER It was almost too obvious. Yet, for the first time, downtown Katonah unlocked the area’s trove of acclaimed authors at its inaugural Westchester Book Festival, showcasing the talent tucked in nearby neighborhoods and farther flung locales. More than 30 authors took to tables, podiums and stages Nov.
Hot Dish: Soy Curls Tinga Taco at Mexican Fiesta Taqueria
The Soy Curls Tinga Taco and the Mexican Fiesta Taqueria crew, from left, Edmundo Aguilar, owner Juan Jimenez, Clara Jimenez, Carmen Jiminez and Johnmar Jimenez. Amy Sowder Photos By AMY SOWDER A nutty, smoky, earthy meatiness fills the air as the concoction simmers in a cumin-scented broth at a small restaurant kitchen. This taco’s filling isn’t the original thing, but in its own spicy, savory way, it’s the real deal.
What’s in Season: North American pawpaws
Amy Sowder 11 hours ago 3 min read By AMY SOWDER Pawpaws are having a moment. Why is this northeastern tropical-like fruit with a mild banana-apple-mango flavor so popular lately? “I want to thank the pandemic for bringing people back to the garden,” said Patrick McDuffee of Well-Sweep Herb Farm, one of the plant-sale vendors and presenters at the Herb Fair & Market in Katonah on Sept. 20.
What’s in Season: Honeycrisp apples at Stuart’s Farm
Amy Sowder 1 hour ago 3 min read By AMY SOWDER For an arguably ideal way to enjoy a locally grown Honeycrisp apple, try standing in the sunshine under a cloudless blue sky in between rows of apple trees. Choose your favorite nestled among the captivating clusters and twist off that plump orb where droplets sparkle from a recent rain. Slowly twirling the apple, admire the speckled yellow and red colors as the orchard’s trees wave at you in the gentle breeze. Then take a bite.
Literary nuggets: The Reading Room’s Foodie Book Club
Please note: A limited selection of free articles are posted to our site each week. Subscribers can check out the e-edition of The Recorder for complete coverage including all news articles, features, photo galleries, community and event calendars and more. If you're not already a subscriber, sign up today and support your local newspaper.
What's in Season: Field tomatoes at Amato Farm
Please note: A limited selection of free articles are posted to our site each week. Subscribers can check out the e-edition of The Recorder for complete coverage including all news articles, features, photo galleries, community and event calendars and more. If you're not already a subscriber, sign up today and support your local newspaper.
What's in season: Culinary flowers at Cabbage Hill Farm
Please note: A limited selection of articles are posted to our site each week. Subscribers can check out the e-edition of The Recorder for complete coverage including all news articles, features, photo galleries, community and event calendars and more. If you're not already a subscriber, sign up today and support your local newspaper. Mount Kisco Police Report July 6-11 Sunday, July 6 8:42 p.m. — A man was accused of menacing two people with a knife at Lexington Avenue and Sarles Street.
What's in season: Currants from Orchard Hill Organics in Katonah
Please note: A limited selection of articles are posted to our site each week. Subscribers can check out the e-edition of The Recorder for complete coverage including all news articles, features, photo galleries, community and event calendars and more. If you're not already a subscriber, sign up today and support your local newspaper.
What’s in season: Tightly wound, foraged Fiddleheads
Musicians United for ALS: A Night for Wayne Warnecke A benefit for ALS United Greater New York — “A Night for Wayne Warnecke” — is set for Tuesday, April 15, from 7 to 10 p.m., at the State University of New York at Purchase, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. Warnecke is a record producer from Pound Ridge.
Everything You Need to Know About Superfoods
If you have been wanting to eat healthy, there are several ways to make your diet better. That includes cutting down on junk and incorporating healthier options -- one of which is superfoods. Try these nutritious, spotlight-loving ingredients: matcha, kava, kudzu, seaweed, quinoa, kombucha, chia seeds, goji berries, cacao, kimchi, açaí, miso, moringa and turmeric.
Here’s Where to Score Irish Soda Bread in Westchester County
Whether everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day is debatable, but one thing is certain: Irish soda bread is pleasing no matter how you slice it. Room temp, toasted, with or without raisins, dusted with powdered sugar, or crusty and plain on top, this little piece of Ireland goes down easy, and it makes no difference from whence your people came. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite places to pick up a loaf of Irish soda bread in Westchester.
4 Sustainable Wedding Gown Brands for Hudson Valley Brides
More than 5,000 bridal gowns are purchased for Lower Hudson Valley weddings each year — and that’s a conservative estimate. Often, these dresses are worn only once. With more than 100 pounds of used textiles per person in the U.S. ending up in landfills each year, according to Boston University School of Public Health, future brides are increasingly making more sustainable choices.
9 Apple-Flavored Fall Foods to Savor in Westchester
Can’t get enough of all things apple now that fall has arrived in Westchester? These seasonal treats will hit the spot. 379 S Riverside Ave, Croton-on-Hudson; 862.0874 Classic apple pie at its best is what to expect at Baked by Susan in Croton-on-Hudson. You can go big for a traditional nine-inch pie with the golden crust or try a mini version that’s five inches in diameter in case you want it all for yourself for a meal. Hey, apples are good for you.
Get These Lucky Foods on Friday the 13th in Westchester
We’re not all-in on superstitions, but we like any excuse to return to our local favorite foods. In most years, Friday the 13th happens twice a year, but in 2026, it occurs three times. Considered an undesirable date for centuries, this date has inspired two mouth-twisting terms to describe the fear of this supposedly unlucky day: paraskavedekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia.
Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry Elevates the Shopper Experience
Pantry: a room or closet in which food, groceries, and other provisions, or silverware, dishes, etc., are kept. The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry: So much more than that. On a recent rainy morning, women, men, and children trickled toward the line winding around United Methodist Church in the heart of Mount Kisco. It was time to grocery shop. The price? Zilch.
The Pleasantville Farmers' Market Is a Culinary Gem in Westchester
Stroll through the Pleasantville Farmers Market to mark the seasons and micro-seasons. The sea of gleaming apples, golden honey jars, and home-made pie varieties among the market’s vendors are shining proof that it’s early fall in the lower Hudson Valley. On a September morning, visitors can expect to fill their canvas totes with freshly baked bread, fish, mushrooms, pretzels, and pantry staples like olive oil. Wondering which vendors will be at the market?
Try These Cold Coffee Trends From Westchester Cafés
In the warm months, we love a good, cold caffeine kick to perk us up like the next sleep-deprived person. But any ol’ hot-brewed coffee watered down with ice cubes won’t cut it. Cold brew is worth the extra price for its smoothness and, with the (fluffy) rise of cold foam and all its flavors, it has never been more fun. And it’s even more playful lately.
4 Sound Shore Seafood Spots to Hit This Summer
When the warm weather hits, we are drawn to the beach. One other ocean-inspired pursuit we like to indulge in every summer: a casual dinner of golden fried seafood. Try some seafood in the 36-mile Sound Shore region of our county — which includes Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, and Rye — all municipalities on or near the Long Island Sound.
Ramen Musashi Expands to Ardsley
When you open the door of Ramen Musashi’s new Ardsley location, you might be greeted by a two-foot Hello Kitty stuffie nestled among others behind a glass wall. Then your eyes may graze across the rows of colorful Japanese food products on the mini Fuji Mart shelves. But swivel your head to the left to experience where the fragrant food happens, against the mural backdrop of a bowl of ramen, the noodles cascading out into a noodle-y sea across the dark gray wall.
Scarsdale Welcomes Not One, But Two New Gelato Spots
Last summer, we didn’t have these two gelato-scooping gems in Scarsdale, and that alone makes the summer of ‘24 pretty sweet already. Not all chilly, creamy confections are created equal. In the genre of frozen dairy desserts, gelato aficionados appreciate the craveable qualities that differentiate it from ice cream. “You have to be very careful with gelato: the crystallization, the temperature, and it has to be fresh,” says Tal Campana, co-owner of Mimi’s Gelato in Scarsdale.
Blue Heron Tea & Coffee Opens in Westchester
As the Harlem line train squeals to a stop a penny’s toss away, step into a bygone era for a curated cup at Blue Heron Tea & Coffee. The sultry sound of a crooning Ella Fitzgerald winds its way over the 1905-patented Victoria Arduino espresso machine hammered in copper, across the polished hardwood floors, by the vanilla-and-sage wainscoted walls, and under the original pressed-tin ceiling with garland crown molding.
Where to Get Bubble Tea and Boba Drinks in Westchester
Bubble tea is the international drink phenomenon originating from Taichung, Taiwan. The “pearls” — called zhenzhu, if on the smaller side, and boba, if a bit larger — are traditionally made from brown sugar and tapioca, providing a bouncy, chewy surprise amid a delicious blend of milk, sugar, and tea. The drink first debuted in the 1980s using black tea, but nowadays can be found in a variety of flavors.
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