Jeanne Noonan for New York Daily News
Sweet treats from 2 Penz will be available at Queens County Market in Long Island City.
Get ready to nosh, Long Island City!
Katrina Schultz Richter, founder of Queens County Market, is bringing the pop-up to the nabe next weekend.
“We’re a monthly market without a permanent home, so the pop-up format allows us to launch the market anywhere in Queens,” says Richter, who had requests to take the roving foodie fair west of its usual Sunnyside spot. “Many of our vendors manufacture their food products in Long Island City, so I think they’re excited to connect with their neighbors.”
Several artisans, including Sweet Silk and 2 Penz, will offer summer specials, while host the Laughing Devil will provide beers on tap.
SPICY ’N SWEET
Mom knows best, and Michael Marino and partner Jorge Moret took these words to heart when they opened up Spicy ’n Sweet.
Marino’s mom, Nonna Carolina, adds pizzazz, not only to the trio’s New Jersey tomato sauces and nut- and dairy-free pestos, but their live cooking demonstrations, too.
At the last market, Carolina drew crowds with her handmade pasta and saucy attitude. Though she won’t be behind the table this time around, fans can catch Carolina crafting a chilled soup in an upcoming video on Spicy ’n Sweet’s YouTube channel.
VEDA’S CAKES CATERING
Veda Sukhu is a cake-maker by trade, but since the start of the Queens County Market, she has been focusing on Guyanese classics.
The Guyanese native, now living in East Elmhurst, ditches flour and frosting in favor of flaky chicken patties and Guyanese curry, a recent favorite among marketgoers.
Spiced with hot peppers, the chicken curry will be served alongside split pea-filled rotis, cheese rolls and pecan tassies for those with a sweet tooth.
CHULITA’S FAMOUS
Empanadas are Gloribell Taveras and Susana Columna’s edible canvas of choice.
The best friends use the fried treats to showcase their homemade sofritos. Taveras and Columna season shredded chicken and cranberries with their earthy Sofrito con Spices and pair the crowd favorite, Sofrito Verde, with eggplant and smoky cheese.
Chulita’s Famous used to call Brooklyn home, but now their all-natural Latin American staples are in Long Island City for good after moving operations to Bad Ass Organics.
2 PENZ
Cool down with Bayerische Creme, aka Bavarian cream, made by Hans and Sandra Penz. The Central European ex-pats whip up the pudding-like cream with bits of vanilla bean and top it off with an orange ragout and a refreshing mint sprig.
When the weather cools down, 2 Penz will start rolling out gugelhupf, German for Bundt cake, and festive Christmas cookies for the holidays.
SWEET SILK
Shefalee Patel gives Indian sweets a French flair at Sweet Silk. The civil engineer turned French Culinary Institute-trained confectioner grew up eating burfi, and she’s cranking out an updated take on the traditional treat using ingredients both far-flung and local.
Patel is giving Queens residents a first taste of her summertime dark chocolate truffles — one stuffed with Bing cherries and another filled with dried mangos and coated in coconut shavings — before making them available nationwide on her website, Savorsweetsilk.com.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Queens County Market: Sat., Aug. 4, noon-4 p.m.
The Laughing Devil: 47-38 Vernon Blvd., between 48th Ave. and 47th Road, Long Island City. queenscountymarket.com.
