Culinary Opportunities and Fun Foodie Options Available in Downtown Gloversville
Whether you are a self-described “Foodie” or have an interest in increasing your culinary skills, there are many delicious delights in Downtown Gloversville and the immediate area.
Both the preparation and consumption of food is an art as outlined in this article. Some culinary artists use food to make statements, create art projects, and produce dining experiences beyond just feeding the body for fuel.
Those who love cooking and experimenting with creations will want to visit the Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market, 30 N. Main St., to find local ingredients made by small businesses. Milk and dairy products from Dygert’s Dairy Farm, maple syrup from Frasier’s Sugar Shack, Baucy Be’s hot sauce from Broadalbin, and salad dressing from Lanzi's Restaurant of Mayfield. Recently, the market hosted a soup contest with a dozen entries that used many products purchased from the store. Those who tasted and judged the entries were heard saying, “All of the soups were so delicious! Prepared with love, verve, and creativity!”
Gloversville is home to a bakery and a butcher shop so those seeking to create homemade dishes can find fresh baked products at Ruach’s Bakery, 15 Washington St., and many selections of meat at Bowman’s Meat Market, 50 Pine St. Online reviews of Bowman’s include: “I go there to get my bacon, they slice it thin and it is a good buy, and delicious,” “Over the past two months I have purchased haddock, salmon, lobster tails, shrimp, bone in pork roast, hamburger, bacon, Eddie’s famous ham salad, sandwich steaks, French fries, and a gorgeous roast beef. Everything is top quality and outstanding!” Rauch’s reviews are just as amazing: “Always love the bakery, so delicious the smell of the cinnamon buns and the hot bread smell. Just love this bakery,” “Best pumpernickel bread and hard rolls ever!”
Those wanting to refine their cooking skills have several opportunities at the Gloversville Public Library, 58 E. Fulton St., as it hosts an “Easy Eats Club” that meets the second Wednesday of every other month for those ages 18 and above. On March 13th, the meeting is at 5:30 p.m. and the topic is making and sharing breakfast. Participants need to pre-register and bring a container for taking home portions of each created dish. The library also hosts “Super Chefs,” a cooking class for kids ages 6 to12. The next class is April 9 at 4 p.m. and participants learn basic cooking skills and make a tasty dish.
Not far from Gloversville's core is the Paul Nigra Center for Creative Arts, located at 2736 State Route 30, Gloversville, and it hosts several culinary classes including the upcoming workshop on pork tenderloin with roasted root vegetables on March 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. There is a $30 pre-registration fee or pay $40 at the door. Register here. Instructor Diana Marshall will discuss the classic recipe and participants will create the dish to task at the conclusion of class. High school students interested in pursuing a culinary education have an opportunity at nearby Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES, located at 2755 State Route 67, Johnstown, as it conducts a two-year program that prepares students for careers in the hospitality industry. “Students in this course will have the opportunity to study various units such as baking and pastry, commercial food preparation, front end service, fine dining, restaurant operations and catering … it is aligned with the National Restaurant Association’s Pro Start curriculum.”
Love to eat but not a cook? There are several restaurants that offer flavorful meals, including Brass Monkey, 52 Cayduatta St. that is known for its purple cow wings and Utica style pizza. While New York Lunch, 21 Bleecker St., is known for its hot dogs, it also offers prime rib dinners and mouth watering hamburgers. Eva’s Soul Food, 116 S. Main St., offers hot fried chicken, meat pies and collard greens. Stop in at Harold’s Restaurant & Lounge, 176 W. Fulton St., for its tasty fried haddock specials. Mountain Mama’s Cantina and Eatery, 391 S. Main St., offers a Tex Mex menu with brisket, ribs, tacos, quesadillas, and more.
Keep an eye out for special food events such as the upcoming “Soup Chili Chowder Mac and Cheese Stroll” on March 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kingsborough Elementary School, 24 W. 11th Ave. Thirty participants will showcase their dishes. This summer, Food Truck Fridays returns to Castiglione Memorial Park on North Main Street on May 31, June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23. Vendors include A&S Spice on Wheels, Teddy’s Gyros, Nibble & Bites, Teddy’s Gyros, Parkside Hot Dogs, Walt & Lyn’s Walk-Up Wagon, Red Pop Lemonade, Jammin’ Juice Bar, and Robb’s Topp Doggs Mobile Kitchen will be on hand this summer.
“Everyone has to eat. All cooking that aims higher than a boiled egg is an attempt to make an art of a necessity,” this article states. Enjoy the culinary arts and its ingredients in Downtown Gloversville.
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