GREAT TASTES

Brews, chains and wings: The state of dining in Dutchess

Geoffrey Wilson
Poughkeepsie Journal

To kick off 2017, Poughkeepsie Journal reporters are assessing the state of critical issues on their beats. In this story, investigative reporter Geoffrey Wilson looks at the state of food in Dutchess County.

Brasserie 292 in Poughkeepsie on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.

On the beat

Food is a dynamic and critical part of Dutchess County, from the farms where it is grown to the stores and the restaurants highlighting local products.

Local restaurants offering farm-fresh meals and the burgeoning craft beverage industry are key to the county's identity. Food and drink impact the county's tourism, which brought in more than half a billion dollars in 2015.

Of course, a major part of this is the presence of The Culinary Institute of America. With graduates leaving the school to open restaurants in the mid-Hudson Valley and classes catering to foodies in the area, the school assists in developing the area's food and drink scene. The CIA also is leading the way on a range of health and social issues. In June, the Culinary will continue the Menus of Change initiative that poses the following question: What if leaders in the culinary arts, business, public health, and environmental sciences all worked together to develop business-friendly solutions to today’s most pressing social and environmental concerns?

The craft beer, wine, cider and spirits industries have been showing steady growth in the region. Mill House Brewing Company launched its first canned beer, Köld One. New restaurants and grocery stores continue to shape the local culinary scene.

Morty's Kosher Style Delicatessen filled a niche for a Jewish-style deli, while Essie’s Restaurant highlighted the potential of the City of Poughkeepsie’s Little Italy. Hardee’s, Texas Roadhouse and Tilted Kilt drew mixed reactions with their openings in Dutchess County. The influx of chain restaurants opening their first locations in the region will continue in 2017 with Golden Corral, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Food and drink festivals are plentiful throughout the year. Along with those celebrating ribs, wings, beer and wine will be an addition showcasing of the vegan lifestyle - Hudson Valley Vegfest.

What follows are key details about the year ahead in the local food and drink

Chef David Bruno, an associate professor at The Culinary Institute of America, prepares some pastry dough during The Chef's Table, an interactive program where guests watch chefs prepare their food.

What to watch for 

Learning opportunities. The Chef's Table courses at The Culinary Institute of America will return in 2017, offering new options for local foodies.

New brands? While Wegmans announced it had no plans to open a Dutchess County store, the brand recently announced plans for a Westchester store.

New venues. Outside chain restaurants, restaurant openings are a frequent within Dutchess County. One key area that could see growth is Little Italy in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Why you should care

Dutchess County's culinary scene is a key part of local tourism. Dutchess County saw $528,333,000 in visitor spending in 2015, with local restaurant,farms and The Culinary Institute of America playing a key role in that. Dutchess also is seeing growth in the variety of major brand restaurants entering the area, as well as local restaurants and festivals.

Key players

Dr. Tim Ryan, left, president of the Culinary Institute of America, stands with keynote speaker Matthew Wadiak, right, a Culinary Institute alumnus and founder and COO of Blue Apron.

Tim Ryan, president of The Culinary Institute of America, continues to lead one of the top culinary schools in the world. Under Ryan, the school has influenced the local and global food scenes with its experimentation with 3-D printing, the launch of a craft brewery on campus, the introduction of The Chef's Table cooking demonstrations and its hosting of the annual Menus of Change Summit.

Laurence Gottlieb

Laurence Gottlieb, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, has influenced local food through the Hudson Valley Food & Beverage Alliance. The Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit provides educational and networking opportunities for industry members.

Brandon Walker, chef and owner of Essie's Restaurant in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Brandon Walker, owner of Essie's restaurant in the City of Poughkeepsie, aimed to drive business to the city's Little Italy neighborhood with the launch of his restaurant in July. Walker plans to bring lunch to the restaurant in spring 2017.

Megan Kulpa Fells co-owns The Artist’s Palate in Poughkeepsie.

Megan Fells, co-owner of Main Street Hospitality with her husband Charles Fells, filled a culinary niche within Dutchess County with the opening of Morty's Kosher Style Delicatessen in the City of Poughkeepsie. The couple play a key role in the city's restaurant scene with their ownership of The Artist's Palate, Chu Noodle Bar and Brasserie 292.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed several bills into law benefiting New York's craft beverage industry, including the Farm Brewery Amendment, which permits the sale of state wine, spirits and cider by the class for farm breweries and wineries, and the Use & Sales Tax exemption, which benefits breweries selling beer from their tasting rooms.

Key dates 

Jan. 28:Hudson Valley Wing Fest is one of the first major food events of the year.

Sept. 9-10: The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest is one of the county's larger food festivals, with more than 30 wineries lined up for 2017 so far.

Sept. 16: Hudson River Craft Beer Festival features a variety of craft beers from the region and across the state.

Sept. 23-24: Hudson Valley Vegfest plans to hold its inaugural event, showcasing vegan foods and the lifestyle

By the numbers

$528,333,000: Visitor spending in Dutchess County for 2015. The local food industry plays a major role in this, with The Culinary Institute of America and a variety of restaurants and craft beverages helping drive tourism.

18: The number of craft breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries in Dutchess County, according to Dutchess County Tourism.

$9.70: The minimum wage rate as of Dec. 31 for New York outside of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County. Minimum wage has been a subject of contention particularly within the restaurant industry.

3: The number of chain restaurants which opened their first locations in Dutchess County. Hardees, Texas Roadhouse and Tilted Kilt all opened in the Town of Poughkeepsie in 2016.

Reporter Geoffrey Wilson has been covering the food and drink news and trends in the mid-Hudson Valley for two years. 

Geoff Wilson, the Journal's food and drink reporter.
Brasserie 292 in Poughkeepsie on Wednesday, December 28, 2016.