Chef Samantha Buyskes

Chef Samantha Buyskes, has had a passion for cooking since she was 4 years old and living in South Africa.   Since moving to the Finger Lakes 9 years ago , she has opened Simply Red Bistro in Trumansburg, published a cookbook, moved the eatery to Sheldrake Point Vineyard, and opened another location at Ithaca’s La Tourelle Resort.  In early 2011, she appeared on the season opener of the Food Network show “Chopped.”

Committed to community, relationships and passion, she has now launched Simply Red Events and cooking school at The Highland Lodge Center in Trumansburg, NY. 

2012 Cooking Class Tour Themes:

At Sheldrake Point Winery, a member of the wine making staff will extract tank and barrel samples during a tour of the barrel room. You will taste wine in the process of coming to full fruition and learn about the wine making process. During our months that feature Red Newt Winery, you will enjoy a "multi-dimensional reconstructive wine and food experience" (in the words of Dave Whiting, owner of Red Newt). In other words, we will break down Chef Samantha's meal and compare wine to some key ingredients, for example tasting the flavors of sesame seeds with a chardonnay. Tours highlighted in Red go to Red Newt, tours highlighted in Blue will be visiting Sheldrake Point before their cooking class.