HUDSON VALLEY HARVEST

Ric Orlando

Ric Orlando has been called the Pioneer of Hudson Valley Farm to Table cooking. His tireless work in promoting the farms, products, people, and beauty of the Upstate NY region combined with his quirky sense of humor and rock and roll pedigree has made him one of the leading culinary spokespeople and best foodie draws for events, fundraisers and festivals. Ric’s cultural roots stem from the underground music and art scene in New York, New Haven, and Boston, where he also gathered his passion for Global flavors eating urban ethnic cheap eats. Ric’s Potato Latkes beat Bobby’s on the Food Network and he also won on the show Chopped twice. In the 2013 World Food Championships, Next Top Product Category, his Eggplant “Meatballs” won the top prize for the Northeast region. He also has appeared over a dozen times on the NBC TODAY show, PBS’s Simply Ming, NPR, Discovery, MTV, Sirius Radio, as well as many other regional media appearances. Ric produced, wrote and starred in the 13- episode regional Public Television series Ric Orlando’s TV Kitchen. Ric currently curates and cooks in the New World Bistro Bar kitchen. He has won The Albany Times Union Reader’s Poll Best Chef 5 years in a row from 2015-2019. He also hosts a popular podcast “One Million Stringbeans” and contributes to many regional and national food blogs.

Richard Erickson

Richard Erickson is co-owner and head chef of the Hudson Valley’s own Blue Mountain Bistro-to-go and Catering. He has lived, worked and eaten in France, Switzerland, Tokyo, India, and Indonesia. In N.Y.C. he was the head chef at Two-Eleven in Tribeca, Metropolis Cafe on Union Square, and Bistro du Nord on Madison Avenue. Between restaurants he was chef/instructor at theFrench Culinary Institute. He and his wife, Mary Anne, opened and operated the Blue Mountain Bistro in Woodstock, N.Y. from 1993-2005, before shifting to catering and gourmet take out. The food, the stories, and the culture of the Mediterranean continue to fascinate and stimulate most of his cooking.

James and Michelle Walsh

Sixteen years ago, James Walsh and his wife Michelle combined their excitement for the restaurant business and opened Mudd Puddle Café in New Paltz, NY. Fresh roasted coffee, hand crafted food, and a warm community space has been the focus since day one. In 2012, they expanded their passion for fine crafted beverages and food by opening Yard Owl Brewery in Gardiner, NY. At Yard Owl, James, fellow brewmaster Kristop Brown, and tasting room ambassador Joe Dolan brew and serve expressive Belgian inspired ales paired with house-made pickled vegetables and eggs, as well as beer mustards that are served with cheese, charcuterie, and pretzels. This venue has enabled them to create a second community space and expand their creativity into another area of the food and craft beverage world.

Rob Paparozzi

New Jersey-based front man, singer, & harmonica player has been a blues performer since 1967. But Rob is far from being strictly a blues musician. In fact, he’s at home playing a wide range of music, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to pop. Having toured in Japan, Italy, Spain, France, Russia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, Rob’s Broadway, movie, and television credits are also extensive with appearances on Big River and The Will Rogers Follies, Conan O’Brien, David Letterman, and the CBS Early Show. Formerly a member of the Original Blues Brothers Band and leader singer with Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Rob released his debut CD “Etruscan Soul” in 2009.

Dylan Doyle

Touring nationally since age 15, Dylan became a seasoned professional at a very young age. He has played with such notable musicians Rob Stoner (Bob Dylan, Don Mclean), John Platania (Van Morrison, Natalie Merchant), Ben Cauley (Otis Redding) and Bill Payne (Little Feat). Stoner called Dylan one of the most prodigious players he has known with abundant natural talent. John Platania has referred to Dylan as “The Future.” Ben Cauley, after playing with Dylan in Memphis said, “Dylan Doyle sounds like a young Jimi Hendrix.” In the words of Bill Payne upon sharing the stage, “Music is a conversation. Dylan spoke beautifully and was listening to the musicians around him. His play was imaginative and original.” Attesting to Dylan’s versatility, Dylan has played the King Biscuit Blues Festival three consecutive years as well headlining the Grateful Garcia Gathering, the largest Grateful Dead festival in the Midwest.

Torin Murphy

Torin Murphy is a certified Clinical Herbalist based out of NYC. His mission has always been to help others on their path to well-being and happiness. He encourages the practice of intentionally realigning ourselves with Mother Nature, the mother of us all. Torin’s love and knowledge of plants spans over years and has followed him to different countries. He is a wild-crafter, archer, medicine maker, writer, and traveler at heart.