The knives — and forks — are out in the Hamptons, where an upstart alfresco food festival is taking on the reigning champ for the first time on the same night.
Dan’s Taste of Two Forks, now in its sixth year and sponsored by developer Farrell Building Company, is challenging the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious, 26- year-old Chefs & Champagne event on July 23.
The outdoor pig-outs, under fancy tents and replete with bold-faced names, are being held within a 10-minute drive of each other— ToTF at Fairview Farm in Bridgehampton and C&C at Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack.
At stake: hundreds of thousands of dollars in charitable proceeds, precious exposure for eateries and chefs — and culinary bragging rights in the star-struck Hamptons.
Each bash has loyal devotees. Food writer and critic Jay Cheshes sniffed, “Taste of Two Forks was loud and crowded with a lot of mediocre food. At Chefs & Champagne, the alcohol and food are much better and the chef level is much higher.”
On the other hand, legendary restaurant critic Gael Greene said, “Two Forks’ gathering of local chefs gives me a preview of where I want to be eating all summer.” Brand-marketing guru Alan Gabay, who lives in Manhattan and on the North Fork, said, “I find Two Forks to be most engaging with its focus on local restaurateurs.”
Still, some — like officials at both events — insist there’s no rivalry.
“There’s such a huge hunger for food events in the Hamptons that we expect both will do very well,” James Beard Foundation President Susan Ungaro said graciously.
Restaurateur Don Evans, the “chef whisperer” tapped by ToTF organizer Agency21 Consulting to organize restaurant participation, said the same-night timing was an accident. The Town of Southampton unexpectedly bumped ToTF’s original July 9 permit to July 23.
“I called the Chefs & Champagne people to explain it wasn’t deliberate,” Evans said.
With the same tongue, Evans then boasts that Saturday night’s ToTF will be “the biggest food event in Hamptons history.”
It’s sold out, he said, all 1,400 tickets, up from 850 in 2011, its first year.
A C&C rep said its organizers “expect to exceed 1,000” ticket sales.
As the two festivals continue not to compete, ToTF boasts a tent that is 20,000 square feet. C&C’s tent is a mere 18,000 square feet — but it also has a 4,000-square-foot VIP party tent, it notes.
Both events aid worthy causes: C&C has raised $500,000-plus for Beard Foundation programs. ToTF donates an unspecified portion of ticket sales to local charities.
But the events have different themes. C&C draws 40-plus star chefs from around the US and honors one — this year, it’s New Orleans’ John Besh.
Beard Foundation members pay $200 for general admission ($275 for non-members) or $375 for “VIP” access including a chance to mingle with chefs at an after-party.
C&C has long been a magnet for A-listers such as Richard Gere, Kim Cattrall and Martha Stewart — who once shrugged off 104-degree heat that had felled other guests by laughing, “I never sweat.”
ToTF, owned by Dan’s Papers publisher Manhattan Media, showcases chefs from the East End who are less famous than C&C’s lineup. The latter include Manhattan stars Anita Lo, Marco Moreira and Cedric Vongerichten.
Many who pay $185 for general admission to ToTF or $295 for VIP tickets are locals who enjoy favorite spots such as Mercado, Navy Beach and Shuckers Lobster & Clam Bar.
But this year, ToTF has some high-powered culinary talent as well, including co-host Alex Guarnaschelli of “Iron Chef” and restaurant Butter fame, and ramen whiz Ivan Orkin.
And Two Forks has built its own celeb following — including architect Peter Cook and “Real Housewife of New York City” Kristen Taekman, who last year was heard moaning, “Oh my God, this is so good” over a peach pie tasting.