Ideal Bite

Apparently I’m one of them now…well, me and 400 others. On Tuesday, I attended the Audubon Society’s Women in Conservation Luncheon at the Plaza. They honored six women with the Rachel Carson Award, whose ground-breaking 1962 book "Silent Spring" helped launch the modern environmental movement. The award recognizes women who demonstrate great leadership and commitment to conservation and in the past included Majora Carter, Bette Midler, and Teresa Heinz Kerry. This year’s honorees were: Dr. Sylvia Earle (above), oceanographer, author, lecturer, and works with National Geographic Explorer; Sally Jewell, President and CEO of REI; Elizabeth C. Titus Putnam, President and Founder of the Student Conservation Association; and Elizabeth Colleton, Jane Evans, and Susan Haspel from NBC’s Green is Universal Initiative.

The lunch was locally sourced within 150 miles of the city with organic and sustainable ingreds from farms like Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY. We chomped on tomato tart tatin, roasted veggie pave, and a pea tart with roasted ‘shrooms for apps, roasted farmhouse chicken with bean ragout and a corn dusted zucchini blossom for the entrée (sooo good), and for dessert a vanilla lavender parfait with earl grey pound cake, blackberry cream and sauce. There was also Dr. Konstantin’s Salmon Run white wine from the Fingerlakes and Bedell Vineyards Domaine Corey Creek rosé from Long Island. Bonus: Guests were given the centerpieces of potted flowers to take home.

Overall the luncheon was an amazing experience and aside from my flowers and a full belly, I left feeling inspired by all the ladies honored and the great turn out of supporters (cue sunshine and chirping birds). Note: AS just launched a new internship program to support young women in the environmental world. If you’re interested in supporting them, hit ‘em up with your funds - as much or as little as ya want.

-NY City Editor Brianne…off to read more about Dr. Sylvia Earle…

From New York