Ramp Fest Returns To Hudson, New York

For the third year in a row, the city of Hudson, N.Y., will celebrate the arrival of spring by honoring one of the area's earliest allium arrivals: the ramp. Chefs from nearly 20 different restaurants will participate by creating dishes centered on this pungent wild leek as part of Ramp Fest 2013.

According to festival organizer chef Jeff Gimmel of Swoon Kitchenbar, Ramp Fest started because they're "prolific" in the area around this time every year. Especially in recent years, the vegetable has been celebrated by chefs for its "strong garlicky odor and pronounced onion flavor." The entire menu is still in the works, but some ramp-inspired plates staged for the event include a semolina and ramp biscuit with pulled rabbit and ramp agrodolce from Another Fork in the Road, as well as Swoon's own socca crêpes with lamb tongue and grilled ramp romesco sauce.

Ramp Fest 2013 takes place Saturday, May 4 at the Basilica Hudson in Hudson, N.Y., from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adult preorder ($35 at door) and $10 for kids ages 5 to 12. There will be a cash bar and the ticket price includes a ramp dish created by each chef.