A sneak peek into the greasy, beautiful, and often precarious side to life as a freelance photographer. Based in the electric beating heart of New York City. Known to drift wherever the wind and my wide angle take me... For a more extensive look at my portfolio please visit: www.AshleySears.com
Had a blast shooting the San Pellegrino "Live Off The Menu" dinner this week with LA based Chef Michael Voltaggio and his sous Cole Dickinson...Don't let all that Ink fool you, they're really sweet as cherry pie!
A MORNING AT THE MARKET - WITH CHEF ELIZABETH FRASER
ELIZABETH FRASER is more than just a foxy red head who knows how to pick a ripe tomato - she's cornered the market on freelance private cooking in NYC, bringing all those restaurant worthy farm fresh favorite's to life in your own kitchen.
Her clients needs range from curated sit down dinners, to cocktail parties, and summer bbq's for a special occasion. But while the format may vary, her focus remains the same - creating customized menu's from the best locally sourced, seasonally appropriate ingredients she can find.
Her aesthetic is rustic, and unfettered by pretension or flash. Lending itself well to communal dining, bringing people together, and keeping the focus on the flavors of the food itself.
I recently had the chance to spend a morning with her while she wandered the Union Square Green Market, chatting with her favorite farmers, & buying up all the goodness they had in stock.
FIRST LOOK at the latest shoot I did for David Burke's Culinary Magazine. The issue, all about Summer features several unique and delicious summer salads, satiating new cocktails and my favorite (featured on the cover) a Strawberry Rubarb Cream Pie worth dreaming about.
All shot were taken on location at the bright and beautiful patio at The David Burke Kitchen in NYC.
This was the fourth issue I've shot for the DB team, and every time proves to be more fun than the last. Stop by one of his many restaurant's to pick up a copy today!
When music icons Russell Simmons (Def Jam Records, Steve Rifkind (Loud and SRC Records), and Film/Music producer Brian Robbins, decide to team up with Samsung to release 52 single's in a year in an effort to expose and develop emerging new musicians - people best take notice.
Utilizing the power and accessibility of the internet ADD52 (All Def Digital) is designed to cull unsigned talent through web submissions, and expose them to the public through a platform on Milk Music, an ad-free radio service powered by Slacker.
The ultimate goal is to find those hidden gems that so far have only had the chance to perform for their shower curtains, their parents friends, or in some cases their many YouTube fans. They don't expect to have 52 hit singles - but if a genuine star or two if born out of the mix the project will have succeeded.
I had the pleasure of shooting last night's launch party at Cine Magic Riverfront Studio's on the Williamsburg waterfront where taste makers and industry insiders enjoyed intimate performances by Passion Pit, Miguel, Pusha T and Q-Tip, as well as "Music's Next Big Things" aka ADD artist's Niykee Heaton, Love Dollhouse, 3d Na'tee & Tayyib Ali. Take a peak...
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SEE MORE PERFORMANCE PICS...
THE RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD, PART 1: SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN
While traipsing my way around the Bay Area on a recent trek to the West, I had the pleasure of spending an evening at The Restaurant, Napa Valley's three Michelin starred gem nestled on the grounds of the pristine Meadowood resort.
With Chef Christopher Kostow confidently at the helm, The Restaurant has claimed it's place for three consecutive years as one of the most distinguished in it's class. Kostow's focus, is said to be centered on developing a deep connection to his trusted network of local purveyors, the unique community in Napa Valley and the bountiful land which surrounds him. Hoping to provide an experience that reflects these relationships, he has embraced their influence as a force that actively shapes the direction of the restaurant and his food.
(sea cucumber, wild onions, whipped bean, brown butter, seaweed)
Guised in shades of gray distressed wood, The Restaurant's bar provides a sleek, yet tranquil prelude to the elegant ambiance in the dining room. It set the stage for my meal, with cocktail craftsman Sam Levy there to educate and entertain me every step of the way.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO CONTINUE READING...
The atmosphere in the room was incredibly calm. Every detail perfectly placed with the intention of creating a space that was both inviting, and sophisticated in it's simplicity. The unpretentious air of refinement that filled the space, was quite similarly reflected in the food.
(lardo, fava, sea lettuce, caviar, avocado)
(spot prawn in it's shell)
The flavors were incredibly clean, echoing the freshness of each ingredient used. Sea cucumber from Santa Barbara swimming in a bowl of seaweed from the Mendocino coast inspired thoughts of the Pacific.
While the Bavette 21 day dry aged beef from Snake River Farms, served slightly seared over Koji brown rice, with butter roasted Morels reminded me of my previous life in Montana. Spending the summers surrounded by friends grilling steak and eating locally foraged Mushrooms sauteed in brown butter as if they were candy.
(aji, unripe tomato, artichoke, green almond)
(bavette, koji, parsnip, rice)
The concluding savory course was a playful rouse, disguising Castelfranco Radicchio in ham seasoning, served with fermented Rye, and a creamy, delicate Contralto cheese from Andante Farm, in Petaluma, CA. It was certainly not your mothers "Ham and cheese."
(contralto, castelfranco, “ham”, bread)
But the prized possession of the evening - the dish that stole my heart, and made me "take a minute alone", was a ramekin filled with frozen coconut cream, served over a thin spread of gooseberry sauce, topped with an overflowing puddle of Hudson Ranch olive oil. The fusion of peppery viscous oil, and the slightly sweet and creamy gelato, was cut with a mild citric & herbaceous bite. It could not have been more satisfying.
On day's when the August sun turns New York city into Dante's Inferno, and you can actually taste the smell of hot garbage weighing down the air, and the incessant sound of sirens refuses to rest, I will close my eyes and remember that dish.
(olive oil, coconut, borage)
(silken chocolate, panettone)
(Praline)
The evening rolled on for hours of indulgence. Watching with a satisfied grin as glasses of perfectly paired beverages piled up before me. Sam and the rest of the staff kindly indulged in my excitement. Gauging accurately that I would happily listen as long as they wanted to talk. Feeding me extensive and interesting bites of knowledge about everything they served. I could only wish to retain it all.
After finishing our gold flaked praline's, before my heels became to high to stand in, we were brought into the back of house to spend some much appreciated time with the extensive staff who we're elbows deep in their final turn. After walking me through the spanning, open kitchen, Chef Kostow entertained my many questions, popping in to man the line when needed while I shot away.
As the clock struck midnight, we realized nearly six hours had passed since we had arrived. Yet never a dull moment was to be found. It was a delightful experience from start to finish, and the amount of laughter mix-master Sam Levy induced was enough to curb my guilt for all the calories consumed.
(stay tuned for follow up post to sneak a peak at what went on behind the line...)
Around 2am sometime this spring, we were slouched around a chipped formica table, gorging on dirty Chinese food in San Francisco’s North Beach, when my friends informed me that if I was going to be heading North towards Napa it was imperative that I stopped at Fremont Diner. Under the cast of the florescent pink lights they emphatically declared that it was “Probably the best Diner in the country.” “...maybe even ever.” Obviously a proclamation like that from two seasoned professionals in the culinary industry, who pride themselves on their ability to cure all ailments with food, can't go ignored. So the next day I made my way up Highway 12 in search of this mythical Hash House.
The white washed one story building that greeted me brought back fond memories of BBQ shacks I'd visited on road trips down South. Hand painted signs reading "Whole Hog", and "Cold Beer" hung precariously from the awning above a row of faded red leather and chrome stools. Off to the side was a white tent dotted with Christmas lights housing three rows of teal picnic tables.
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They had found a perfect balance between "kitsch" and comfort. The shelves were covered in old school model cars of dodge trucks, branded beige ceramic coffee mugs, and antique kitchen appliances. There was a wooden sign tacked above the entrance to the kitchen reading, "I LOVE YOU LIKE BISCUITS AND GRAVY" - and let me tell you, after tasting those biscuits, I can say with certainty, that is a profession of true love.
The food at Fremont Diner was simple in structure, robust in flavor, and reasonably priced - especially considering the laundry list of locally sourced ingredients splattered unassumingly across the menu.
They covered the classics, Chicken & Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, French Toast - but everything had it’s own delightful twist. 4” high golden biscuits were served with Ginger Rhubarb Jam & locally sourced butter from the Vella Cheese Co. located only a stone’s throw away. The Breakfast Sandwich was piled high with house made “pit ham”, served over Della Fattoria bread. And the Chilaquiles was the rare and special kind of dish that could cure even the world’s worst hangover.
The service came with a genuine smile, and while the branded paraphernalia in the entrance brought a faint air of commercialization, it was easily outweighed by charm. In fact, had my suitcase & TSA allowed it, I would have picked up a 6 pack of mason jars, and a fleece lined hoodie to bring back East.
Not sure I can claim Fremont as "The Best Diner in the country", having not yet had the chance to visit many of it's competitors. But I can say with certainty that being there brought me back to simpler times, where things were slower, and food was unfettered by fancy ornamentation.
MAKE YOUR WAY THERE >> http://thefremontdiner.com/
This April I had the honor of photographing one of the culinary industries greatest charity events, the 27th annual Taste of The Nation NYC. Over 1,300 New Yorkers came out to indulge in cuisine and spirits provided by over 75 of NYC's finest chefs & bartenders.
Thanks to their help, and that of honorary event chairs Danny Meyer, Dana Cowin and John DeLucie the event raised $240,000 towards supporting Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign, working diligently to end childhood hunger.
DONOSTIA - Bringing a taste of the Basque Region to Manhattan's East Village. No better way to enjoy a hot summer's eve than to indulge in Banderillas & Montadito's while sipping White Sangria at an open air bar overlooking Tompkins Square Park...
TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF THIS BLOG...
Welcome to the new and improved Ashley Sears Photography Blog, where I will be featuring teasers pic's from recent shoots, sending you to check out awesome industry amigo's and the great work they're doing via fancy links, and occasionally berating you with cheesy inspirational quotes and song lyrics from the 90's.
Feel free to comment, critique and share with the rest of the world.
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