Blog / Farm-to-Table
7 Tasting Experiences in Western Massachusetts to Try This Winter
Amherst Coffee | Photo by Lynne Graves
2016 is the year to become an expert in your drink of choice, be it beer, coffee, wine or spirits. A developing trend in Hampshire County in western Massachusetts right now is the tasting workshop or seminar. Maybe it's our proximity to the Five Colleges that creates this thirst for educational drinking. Or maybe we just have a great palate to begin with. Be sure to add one of these tasting experiences to your list of things to do in western Massachusetts this winter so you can wow your bartender or barista next time you order your new favorite drink.
7 Five College Alums Making Western MA a Delicious Place
ConVino Wine Bar, Northampton | Photo by Thornes Marketplace
Did you love where you went to school? Would you ever open a business there? With the Five College Consortium (the University of Massachusetts and Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges), there’s roughly 30,000 students in our midst during any given academic year. While many only reside in western Massachusetts for the duration of their college careers, there’s a few that stick around or come back later to do great things in our communities. One of those great things is contributing to our local food scene—a scene the Huffington Post thinks deserves some serious food cred. Learn more about the businesses these seven alums started because they loved their time at school in western Massachusetts so much!Featuring The Alvah Stone in Montague, ConVino Wine Bar in Northampton, Elbow Room Coffee in Williamsburg, Hungry Ghost Bread in Northampton, The Foundry in Northampton, Moti in Amherst and The Pub in Amherst.
Dine Farm to Table in Western Massachusetts
The Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst | Photos by Lynne Graves
Come taste the season. Enter to win the Farmers Market Chef Experience Weekend at the Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst! The package includes a two-night stay at the Lord Jeffery Inn, breakfast for two, and a shopping excursion with Executive Chef Dino Giordano to the Amherst Farmers’ Market to select ingredients for a private lunch prepared by the Chef.
Stick to your resolutions while dining out in Hampshire County
Paul and Elizabeth's | Photo by Lynne Graves
OK, so it's January and it's time for the traditional New Year's resolutions. High on most people’s lists are exercise and eating better, especially after the food fest of the holiday season. Our food blogger Don Lesser suggests a few places across Hampshire County where you can stick to your resolutions while dining out like the 100% vegan cafe in Florence or the 35-year-strong Paul and Elizabeth's in Northampton.