Francesco Palmieri with his wife, Elaine
Francesco Palmieri, chef and owner of The Orange Squirrel, has long been a fan of the macabre, with a particular penchant for Vincent Price. Along with his wife, Elaine, The Palmieri's have acquired a sizable collection of horror memorabilia, including the Vincent & Mary Price Cookbook - A Treasury of Great Recipes.
Released in 1965, A Treasury of Great Recipes is the culmination of the Price's less frightening passion: food. A four hundred sixty-five page cookbook of menus, recipes, illustrations, photos of restaurants, chefs, bistros and even a museum, finishes with a selection of the Price’s own personal recipes. It was this compendium that inspired the Palmieri's to create the Annual Vincent Price Cookbook Dinner, an exclusive dinner that celebrates some of the notable dishes in the book.
This year, the 3rd annual dinner is moving to the illustrious James Beard House and will take place on the eve before Halloween, October 30, 2014 at 7 pm. Chef Palmieri will resurrect a selection of frighteningly amazing dishes from A Treasury of Great Recipes, along side special guest, Victoria Price, Vincent & Mary Price’s daughter, who will discuss her famous father‘s passion for food and film.
Francesco Palmieri, Photo Credit: Cathy Miller
Victoria Price
The dinner will be paired with the new Vincent Price wine collection which will make its New York City debut at the Vincent Price Cookbook Dinner. The wines are being released in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary edition of the cookbook in 2015. In addition, a specially brewed beer in the style Vincent Price enjoyed will be served at dinner created by Brewer, Adam Young (Brooklyn Brewery, Cricket Hill).
As the Prices so eloquently stated, “The purpose of this book is to invite you to dine, wine, break bread, partake with us of our favorite dishes gleaned from kitchens all over the world . . . Behind the scenes we’ve met the alchemists in tall, white hats who have initiated us into their mysteries.”
Chef Francesco says, “Guests are encouraged to bring any Vincent Price memorabilia and share any related stories. This will be an interactive dinner where Vincent Price items are displayed and discussion welcomed.” He joked, “We dare you to enter the dark and hauntingly delicious world of the Price’s.”
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