Kings Park Chefs Find Inspiration in Farmers Market

Some of Kings Park restaurant's menus are getting a fresh look this fall featuring local produce from Kings Park Farmers Market. 

Several of Kings Parks chefs from top area restaurants such as Relish, Cafe Red are purchasing fresh produce from the Kings Park Farmers, helping support a community effort and bolstering the local economy, Newsday reports.

Steve Cardello, chef and co-owner of Relish, may have started the trend. He started shopping at the market for local produce and homemade goods to serve as inspiration for the restaurant's seasonal dishes since summer 2012. 

Now he's purchasing 250 local, free-range eggs each week for use in Relish's dishes. 

"When you're getting . . . a tomato that's never been refrigerated, never sat on a truck, never been gassed, or a piece of lettuce that was picked the morning you're getting it," Cardello told Newsday, "it's undeniable that the food just tastes better."

Other local chefs in town are starting to catch on, contributing to a growing trend.

Shane Mott, manager of Cafe Red, was seen shopping at the Kings Park Farmers Market this weekend picking up squash from Julie Yen, who co-owns D & J Organic Farm in Yaphank.

Others considering shopping locally and making specials using fresh produce include Wendi Johnston, manager of Sombrero's Southwest Grill, and Matthew Acerno, co-owner of Ciro's Italian Restaurant. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] about the growing relationship between the Kings Park Farmers Market and area restaurants.