ChefBlog

Marc Lamash, CIA-trained chef & ‘Chopped contestant, blends tradition & A.I. in culinary innovation.

05/25/2026

Therapy.

05/10/2026

A Standout Evening at Seminary Hill’s Cider Fest
Callicoon, N.Y. — On a crisp evening at Seminary Hill along Seminary Road, the Cider Fest delivered exactly what one hopes for from a gathering in the western Catskills: a seamless marriage of exceptional craft ciders, thoughtful food, and the easy, unforced warmth that makes small-town events feel disproportionately rich.
Here, on a 12-acre organic orchard inspired by the simple yet rich lives of the owners’ grandparents and great-grandparents on the family homestead, Seminary Hill stands as the world’s first Passive House-certified cidery. Its ciders are crafted from blends of more than 60 apple and pear varieties grown on the property itself—estate fruit coaxed into something quietly profound.

The dinner that followed, served in the Tasting Room with its sweeping views of the Delaware River Valley, was a quiet triumph. Sumptuous yet restrained, each dish prepared with evident care and a clear sense of place. Each course carefully paired with ciders with vast distinct flavor profiles and beautiful intricacies. Flavors were coaxed rather than forced, ingredients allowed to speak for themselves (many drawn from the cidery’s own orchard and nearby farms), and the pacing struck that rare balance between generous and graceful. It was the kind of meal that invites lingering, especially when paired with the sort of conversation that drifts effortlessly from Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy and favorite TED Talks to the frontiers of culinary technology, the shifting culture of hospitality, and the quiet craftsmanship that still defines so much of the region’s appeal.

Around the tables, the company was as compelling as the plates: sharp minds, quick humor, and a genuine enthusiasm for this pocket of the Catskills. Naturally, talk turned local—affectionate debates over the area’s golf clubs, the region’s evolving character, and the colorful personalities who give Callicoon and its surroundings their distinct texture.

05/04/2026

Let’s Eat!! Spicy rice, pork and rice. 😋