First-Ever Interactive Culinary Event Brings ‘Farm-to-Table’ to Life
Tickets go on sale today for The Duckathlon, the first-ever food festival to take consumers on an experiential journey from farm-to-table. Created by D’Artagnan, a leading purveyor of all-natural and organic poultry and game, the event will be held on June 14, 2014 from 12-5 p.m. at New York’s Metropolitan Pavilion. There, acclaimed chefs including Anita Lo,Harold Moore, David Waltuck, Brad Farmerie, Cedric Tovar, Shane McBride, Saul Bolton, Damon Wise, Chad Brauze and Pierre Landetwill partner with farmers to lead consumers through a series of fun, interactive challenges designed to test their knowledge of the foods they eat every day. The Duckathlon will offer great prizes, delicious food and demonstrations of skill from some of New York’s most acclaimed chefs for a cause. Proceeds from the Duckathlon will benefit Action Against Hunger’s FoodLove initiative, a partnership with food and beverage leaders that provides lifesaving nutrition and sustainable solutions to global hunger.
“Today, terms such as ‘locavore’ and ‘farm-to-table’ have become common buzz words as people have become increasingly concerned about learning where their food comes from, but D’Artagnan has always worked with small farms that share our commitment to sustainability and humane practices,” said Ariane Daguin, co-founder and CEO of D’Artagnan. “With the Duckathlon our goal is to literally bring the farm to a larger Manhattan ‘table,’ and this event reflects our company-wide belief that product excellence begins with a true passion for animal husbandry.”
At the event, consumers will have the opportunity to interact with the farmers who raise their food and the chefs who prepare it to gain a better understanding of issues regarding responsible farming and local sourcing. Teams of four will compete in approximately 25 interactive challenges (an on-site pairing station will also create teams for individual attendees or smaller groups) such as:
- Chef Shane McBride of Balthazar and Will Homer of Painted Hills Farm will lead a challenge where cuts of meat are identified using a map
- Chef Chad Brauze of Rotisserie Georgette and Dalton Rasmussen of Modesto Farm will quiz all comers on their knowledge of squab husbandry
- Chef David Waltuck of Élan and Alex Aubin of St. Canut Farms will test your knowledge of swine anatomy with a pig puzzle
Prizes awarded will include bottles of wine from Robert Kacher Selections, a coffret of Armagnac Laubade, Sakai Takayuki knives by Chubo, D’Artagnan whole hams, Bowery Kitchen gift certificates, newly-minted Duckathlon medals and, of course, those all-important bragging rights.
Throughout the day, the Duckathlon will also feature on-stage events in a demo kitchen that will include race-against-the-clock “Battles” and “Tricks of the Trade” demos in which chefs, sommeliers and other food personalities will teach a particularly tricky skill. On-stage events will include:
- A face-off between famed Master Pastry Chefs François Payard and Jacques Torres as they vie to create the best version of the classic French dessert, Floating Island
- Anita Lo and Pierre Landet will go head to head to see who can whip up fresh mayonnaise the fastest using only a two-prong fork
- Musical entertainment will be provided by Paquitos Chocolateros
Tickets
The Duckathlon is open to adults 21 and older. General admission is $60.00. Tickets may be purchased on www.theduckathlon.com beginning May 1, 2014. Consumers purchasing four tickets will automatically receive a 10% discount. Duckathlon tickets benefit global hunger organization Action Against Hunger and its FoodLove initiative, connecting those who celebrate food and care about hunger in support of lifesaving nutrition.
Event Sponsors
Bowery Kitchen * Chateau de Laubade * Chefwear * Chubo Knives * Harney & Sons Tea * John Boos & Co. * King Displays * Le Blanc Limé *Real Antique Wood * Robert Kacher Selections * Saint Geron * Scout Books * SFDS * Sixpoint Craft Ales * The Product Farm * Tuthilltown Spirits * VerTerra Dinnerware *Volvic * 32 Square
About D’Artagnan
D’Artagnan is the nation’s leading purveyor of all-natural and organic poultry and game, free-range meat, foie gras, charcuterie, wild mushrooms, and truffles. Recognized in 1994 by The James Beard Foundation as a “Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America,” owner Ariane Daguin also was honored in 2005 with Bon Appetit magazine’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” D’Artagnan is widely recognized for its superior quality and uncompromising standards. Regarded as a pioneer in sustainability and the farm-to-table movement, D’Artagnan’s innovations have influenced both the industry and the way consumers eat today.
About Action Against Hunger and FoodLove
Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian agency that saves the lives of malnourished children while helping communities become self-sufficient. With 5,000+ staff in 40+ countries, the organization helps 7+ million each year. Visitwww.actionagainsthunger.org for more information.
Action Against Hunger’s FoodLove initiative engages food enthusiasts and brands in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors to help end deadly hunger. Connecting those who celebrate food and care about hunger, FoodLove harnesses food’s inherent ability to build community, transform lives and help the hungry. Visit www.foodlove.org for more information.
