Hello everybody!
Spring is here, isn’t it nice? Some of my New York readers have emailed me to ask when we can do another meetup. Since our kimchi contest in … yes, it’s been a long time! As you know, I couldn’t organize an event in NY last year because of my YouTube Nextup and Gapshida trip. It was a busy year!
Ok, it’s time for us to meet up. Let’s all have fun together! How about potluck picnic in Connecticut? Why Connecticut? Korean food fan Ryan suggested it, and he has done lots of research on the park and location. Kristi, another Korean food guru, is also going to help by organizing the trip from NYC to CT.
On my Gapshida trip I saw how awesome these potluck parties turned out, and  I realized that we should do more of them in America. It totally makes sense because all of you who read my website and cook with my recipes are supposed to like cooking, right?
So come out on Saturday, May 19th to Putnam State Park in Connecticut and bring some food you made! We’ll arrive at the park around 11:30 am and have a potluck picnic. Then an expert guide will lead us into the woods for foraging.
Wow wow what are we going to forage? mushrooms? ramps? or nothing? I don’t know, but I think we can probably gather something edible when we are guided by an expert. I know what mugwort looks like, at least. ; ) Anyway, more important is the fact that we get together, meet other Korean food fans, and share the food we bring.
To make this even more fun, I have a surprise for you! I’m going to teach 1 or 2 Korean recipes in the park. It’ll be my cooking class in the woods! : ) I’ll also bring some other surprises for you: Korean ingredient company CJÂ are going to send 50 containers of hot pepper paste for you guys. So the first 50 people to register will get some gochujang to take home. Are you laughing now? Yes, all Korean food lovers love to get Korean hot pepper paste or Korean ingredients, more than cash!
Ryan and Kristi did lots of research, and we decided to charter a bus. At first we were going to take a train, but found out a round trip ticket from NYC to Connecticut costs $20, and we would still need to get to the park from the train station once we got there. So we decided to charter a bus. Who’s driving it? I will choose one of you!
Haha, that’s a joke! The bus comes with a driver, and the cost is $25 each, paid through PayPal. The bus will leave from Manhattan at 10:00 am.
If you are living in upstate NY or in Connecticut, you can meet us in the park. You won’t have to pay for the bus, but I still need you to register. I need to know how many people are coming so that I can prepare.
(photos taken by Ryan)
Putnam Memorial State Park
at the intersection of Rte 58 and Rte 107 in Redding, Connecticut, USA
www.putnampark.org
What: Springtime Korean Picnic and Foraging
When: Saturday May 19, 2012
What to bring: food to share
Pickup spot in Manhattan:
41 st between 8 and 9th ave at 10:00 am
Any questions, email Kristi:Â ksangster@me.com
Detailed schedule:
10:00 am: pickup in Manhattan
11:30 am: Putnam Park, CT
11:30-12:30 pm: cooking Demo
12:30-2:00 Â pm:Â lunch and getting to know each other
2:00-4:00 pm: foraging with an expert guide
4:00-4:30 pm: snack time
4:30 pm-5:00 pm: cleaning
5:00 pm: come home to Manhattan & arrive at about 6:30 pm
Space on the bus is limited, so if you need a ride, please sign up as soon as possible. Also, join the Facebook event page to say hello to each other and talk about what food to bring.
Also thanks to Ryan and Kristi in advance, who did a lot to organize this. Without their help it wouldn’t be possible. Thanks!
It’s going to be a lot of fun, I hope to see you there!
Hi Maangchi, It’s been a while since I reply. Just so you know I love your blog and still visite
all the time. I love your hair and fun personality. Can i ask if you can do more video on foraging edibles and cook it Korean ways because spring is here and i like to go foraging.
Is it possible to bring the donation in person? Having some issues with Paypal.
Yes you can. Please register and choose “I will take my own transportation” and then come to the bus stop and bring the money in person. It’s not a real donation, it’s the bus fee, but PayPal sees it as a donation. See you soon!
the place is so peaceful and quiet… really love it! :D i wish i was there… my aunt who is a nurse… lives in NJ and our family friend there who lives in Boston MA. if I am staying there for a vacation i will definitely go there and meet up again with you… still remember me that you said rented a driver before??? if i am coming there, i will prepare, 3 korean dishes and 1 filipino… but not sorry… i am here in manila, philippines right now… have fun there maangchi! :D
if i am there… maybe i will cook…
1.) korean fried chicken (yangnyeom tongdak)
2.) japchae (korean noodles)
3.) manduguk (dumpling soup)
bonus…. 1 filipino dish! HALO HALO!!!
halo halo… the one that you ate with mika and michelle, its a dessert a filipino version of patbingsu…
Sound good Chef Benedict! Hopefully you will be in the U.S. then so you can join us!
but sorry i dont have US visa… i got denied 2 years ago… but if i can… im not going to bring korean food… of course ill bring filipino food of course to promote my filipino culture and cuisine… so if its filipino food why not to bring… my main course will be ADOBO and PANCIT!!! my appetizer would be LUMPIA!!! and my dessert will be HALO HALO!!! and bring some post cards of the philippines and promote!!! so what can you say?
adobo- its a chicken stewed in soy sauce and vinegar with garlic peppercorn and bayleaf
pancit- a stir fried egg noodles with some meat and vegetables
lumpia- a spring roll whether fried or fresh
halo halo- filipino patbingsu… with beans and fruits, topped with crushed ice and milk with some purple yam and creme caramel… topped with rice crispies…
and it will be a long flight for me will take 17 hours at the plane with some layovers… from ninoy aquino international airport in manila to JFK airport in NYC… crossing timezones and dateline… but if im there i probably will be on your bus or rent a vehicle and a driver of course… to take me to connecticut…
Your food sounds like it would be absolutely delicious! From appetizer to desert, it sounds like you have a whole menu planned! You must be a Filipino food expert. It does sound like it would be a really long trip for you. If you don’t make it this time, then maybe you can make it next time. :)
yes i am because it represents me… and remember its more fun in the PHILIPPINES!!! you can see some slogans in CNN sometimes… but its true long trip for me but if i can make it next time i will be there…. don’t worry there are many next times. :D
In!
Planning to bring a giant fermented vampire squid stuffed with spicy Whelks. And some cold soba noodles, of course.
Totally psyched. Please no rain.
see you soon!
I am so jealous. Have lots of fun!
Thank you! Yes, we will have fun.
Great idea to have a nice picnic, hope you have fun!
I know you would come if you lived in NY! : )
Haha after a good example we have set our first meet up in Rotterdam.
Sunday 24 June 2012 12.00 hrs. For all the Dutch Korean food lovers.. please sign in via FB https://www.facebook.com/events/284471894980521/ everyody is welcome…
We have learned from the best…. Pictures will follow afterwards….
Yes, it would be nice if you were with us Reinier. I know you would make something lekker for us to eat! Maybe I can Skype you while we are there. We will have to see, but you will definitely be there with us in spirit. :)
I so wish I could go but I’m all the way in CA. Hopefully you have some events in CA in future.
yeah someday, thank you!
Awe!!! I wish I could go! I hope we can arrange something like this in the Oklahoma area!
Oklahoma! : )