Thousands of years before Hendrik Hudson sailed his Half Moon up to modern day Albany in 1609, the glaciers that once blanketed the Hudson Valley retreated to the Arctic. What the ice left in its wake was a soil so rich that, in global satellite images taken today, the trench of its path still shows up as a jet black streak. Lured by this soil's fertility came the family farmers of the Hudson Valley, who, over time, learned to glean the finest products that the land could provide. Today the Hudson Valley is an area rich in history and art, antiques and architecture, charming towns, and farms that produce bountiful local produce. America's history comes alive here as does its beauty. Naturally, Hudson Valley restaurants boast outstanding chefs with a deep and growing commitment to supporting local agriculture. Hudson Valley farmers and artisans fill out the menus with sustainable raised produce, meats, poultry, eggs, cheese, wine and other fine foods. It's creative cuisine at its bestWith over 80 recipes for the home cook from the state's most celebrated eateries and showcasing full-color photos featuring mouth-watering dishes, famous chefs, and lots of local flavor, Hudson Valley Chef's Table is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. The delicious dishes featured here are personal histories--stories of people and place. Each recipe, chef profile, and photo tells its part of the story and magic of the Hudson Valley.

The new movement in contemporary gardening is about going back to the wilderness, creatively landscaping with native plants to enrich their environments and seamlessly merge with their natural surroundings. Politely rejecting traditional manicured, hedged and pruned gardening aesthetics to invite an alternative kind of beauty: wildly bursting with indigenous plants, old-growth trees, vibrant patches of wildflowers and perennials, succulents, un-pruned bushes and ornamental grasses. New York City s Highline is a famous example and this landscaping approach is becoming increasingly popular for private homeowners. This book surveys twelve such breath-taking gardens captured by award winning photographer Andre Baranowski. The featured gardens range from small private residencies to large properties, by renowned landscapers such as Oehme van Sweden, Fernando Caruncho, Jorge Sanchez, and Piet Oudolf. The texts detail each project s approach and the hurdles presented by its landscape, providing the reader with an array of instructional ideas from an insider s mindset. Guaranteed to be a boundless source of inspiration and treasured by lovers of gardens worldwide.