Re-cap: Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog
From the subtle "chill" in the air and the crunching sound that my feet make when I walk over brightly-colored yellow, red, and orange leaves - to that warm, nostalgic feeling that comes over me as I sip a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte and watch folks, big and small, try their hand at ice skating at Rockefeller Center - there is not another season that I love more than the fall, especially here in NYC.
For me, the proverbial debut of autumn occurs during Ocean Spray's annual visit to NYC where, for about one week, a small-scale cranberry bog - 1,500 square feet, I might add - is built and put on display right in the heart of Rockefeller Center. Imagine, if you will, 2,000 pounds of fresh, bright-red cranberries floating atop a rectangular-shaped, water-filled reflection pool.
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog: Rockefeller Center
The event, free and open to the public, is aptly called the "Big Apple Bog." And this past Tuesday, Martha Stewart taped her show live from the bog, at a 50-foot long Thanksgiving table. In an effort to kick-off their joint campaign with Share Our Strength, Ocean Spray treated forty-five lucky students from New York City public schools to a televised, pre-Turkey Day feast with the culinary legend, herself.
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog: NYC public school children joined Martha Stewart for a pre-Thanksgiving meal
...and for a select few of us, Martha Stewart and Ocean Spray hosted a private cocktail party post television-taping. Held at the breathtaking 620 Loft & Gardens - an event space located seven floors above the cranberry bog and the famous ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center - this magical evening (and my stomach, for that matter) was filled with an abundance of cranberry-based, season-appropriate food and drink recipes created by Martha, herself.
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog, private cocktail party atop terrace at 620 Loft & Gardens
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog, private cocktail party atop terrace at 620 Loft & Gardens: outdoor bar
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog, private cocktail party atop terrace at 620 Loft & Gardens: vodka & cranberry with orange sorbet
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog, private cocktail party atop terrace at 620 Loft & Gardens: cranberry/cheddar beignets (passed hors d'oeuvres)
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog, private cocktail party atop terrace at 620 Loft & Gardens: turkey-dinner tasting
Ocean Spray's Big Apple Bog, private cocktail party atop terrace at 620 Loft & Gardens: the legend, Martha Stewart!
…
Until we eat again,
Lindsay, The Lunch Belle