MILLBROOK — A little over six weeks ago, Kristen Essig joined Stonewood Farm, a nonprofit and certified organic vegetable farm, as its culinary director. Essig’s prowess as an executive chef, as well as her expertise in overall management, will be put to good use as she sees to the fundraising cooking classes, Sunday dinners and other affairs of the farm. Her belief in getting to know her neighbors will play a big part as she settles in to her new role.
A native of Florida, Essig went to school in Charleston, South Carolina, where she earned an associate degree in culinary science from Johnson & Wales University. From there she moved to New Orleans, where she learned from chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Anne Kearney. In her ensuing career, she learned the skills associated with managing farmer’s markets, and the ins and outs of catering as well as devising curriculum for private culinary lessons.
Essig has won awards including the Michelin 2022 “Bib Gourmand” Award, and was named a James Beard Award nominee for “Best Chef, Finalist: South” in 2018 and 2019. In 2015 she was noted as a Food & Wine magazine nominee for “People’s Best New Chef” and a Times-Picayune “Chef to Watch” in 2014.
Essig and her dog, Shirley, already love the country aspect of Millbrook and Stonewood Farm, having come from Essig’s last place of employment, Washington, D.C. Essig had a few Zoom meetings with Stonewood Farm owners Ken Holzberg and Tom Kopfensteiner before meeting with them last December. She spent three days at Stonewood, and knew almost immediately that it was the place for her.
Her philosophy is to have a relationship with her growers and suppliers; she feels that, by having that, there is more respect and care given to the preparation of the foods and the use of the products. She has always used the freshest and most local products available, so her cooking style depends on what is fresh and local wherever she happens to be.
One of the aspects of her position that she really enjoys is the community outreach. The Farm partners with Cardinal Hayes Home for Children as well as Northeast Dutchess Immigrant Services and Essig has already met with members of each organization.
From its inception in 2000, Stonewood Farm has been a place that believes in community and giving. A portion of its harvest is given to First Harvest Pantry at Lyall Memorial Church throughout the growing season, and Stonewood also gives to Church Alliance Housing in Millbrook, the Town of Dover seniors, and Meals on Wheels.
Essig is looking forward to the interaction she’ll have with local residents. There will be Garden-to-Plate cooking classes starting in June, and the Sunday Harvest Dinner series, which is already sold out. Stonewood Farm’s Starter Plant Sale will be on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pop-up produce markets at the Farm will begin Friday, June 2, and continue every other week on Fridays until October.
So it seems fair to say that Essig will be kept busy, both in the kitchen and out; including her work in fundraising activities at the farm and in promoting food justice throughout the Dutchess County community.
