A Sure Sign of Spring

Today was probably the first day you could feel with any surety that winter was drawing to a close and spring weather would soon be upon us. Today was also the day the press release arrived for the fifth annual Ramp Fest at Basilica Hudson. It's just one month away, on Saturday, May 2, so mark your calendars and secure your tickets for this gastronomic event that celebrates the ramp--the oniony, garlicky spring delicacy of myth and mystery that is abundant and forageable in the Hudson Valley.

So far, the following chefs and restaurants are confirmed participants: Jeff Gimmel of Swoon Kitchenbar (Hudson); Jodi Cummings of Glynwood (Cold Spring); Wilson Costa of Ca' Mea (Hudson); Zak Pelaccio of Fish & Game (Hudson); John McCarthy of The Crimson Sparrow (Hudson); Alvaro Medina of Truck Pizza (Hudson); Kevin Katz of The Red Onion (Saugerties); Job Yacubian of The Farmer's Wife (Ancramdale); Justin Bazdarich of Speedy Romeo (Brooklyn); R. L. King of Gallow Green (New York); Nick Suarez of Backyard Cooking Company (Tivoli); Jamie Parry of Another Fork in the Road (Milan); Hugh Horner of Helsinki Hudson (Hudson); Marc Propper of Miss Lucy's Kitchen (Saugerties); Gianni Scappin of Market Street (Rhinebeck) and Cucina (Woodstock); Bob Turner of Omega (Rhinebeck), and Rei Peraza of Panzur (Tivoli).

The Ramp Fest begins at noon and goes on until 4 p.m. Beer and wine will be available from the Basilica bar, and the festival will be accompanied by live music by the rockabilly/honky-tonky band Chops and Sauerkraut.