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The Secret to Great BBQ
Uptown Taste, Southern Comfort

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The first time I tasted Kevin Judge's barbecue was at the 11th annual Bonfire and tree lighting ceremony in downtown Riverhead, while we waited for Santa to arrive by boat on the Peconic.  I walked up to the booth and asked him what he recommended.  He poured me a bowl of his special smoked chicken chili.

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I had no idea what awaited my tastebuds. 

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Kevin Judge, a former banquet maitre d' at the Essex House Hotel in Manhattan and self-taught gourmet chef, caters events as casual as a beach wedding and as sophisticated as ones held at Martha Clara Vineyards.

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I turned to my wife.  "You've got to try this, honey.  It's like no chili you've ever tasted before."

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My wife has very discerning tastes, loves good food and especially dishes made with quality fresh ingredients that are healthy but taste distinctive.  "Mmmm ... " she turned to Kevin.  "Delicious.  Just a hint of seasonings.  Not overbearing."

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Kevin then explained that all the ingredients were fresh and natural and healthy.  "The secret is in the meats," he explained.  "It's all in how you treat them.  You have to marinate them and treat them right."

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When Kevin Judge took over the Maple Tree Deli back in 2005, he began looking for ways to differentiate it from other delis.  The answer came to him when he was traveling in the south and came across a smoker.  The rest is history and some experimentation.

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Kevin's unique blend of Manhattan sophistication and an eclectic mix of relaxed southern comfort foods (such as Texas Brisket, North Carolina Hickory Smoked Chicken, BBQ Pulled Pork, Smoked Beans and Warm Herb Crushed Potatoes) offers discerning tastebuds a vacation from the ordinary.  When you try his sampler plate (which includes both those delicious smoked beans and herb crushed potatoes), the blend of subtle seasonings range from sweet to tangy to slightly spicy.

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Although most of Kevin's main dishes are definitely centered around barbeque, don't get the wrong idea.  Calling Kevin's gourmet dishes "barbeque" is akin to calling a Porterhouse steak "beef."

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The Maple Tree menu is like nothing you've ever seen before.  Yes, most of the main dishes are barbeque:  North Carolina Style BBQ Pork, Alabama Style BBQ Chicken, Alabama Style BBQ Chicken, Competition BBQ Ribs and so forth).  And the barbeque alone is worth it.  Marinated to perfection.  Subtly seasoned with Kevin's own special blend of herbs and spices.

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But that's not what makes the Maple Tree's menu unique in this author's opinion.  What Kevin Judge has done is to create a fusion between Southern Style Comfort Foods (such as what I listed above) and Mediterranean-Inspired Foods (such as Farm Fresh Tomato with Fresh Mozzarella Basil and Virgin Olive Oil, Israeli Couscous Green Peas and Sweet Red Peppers, Focaccia, Marinara with Procuito, Italian Tapenade with Genoa Salami, Fresh Mozzarella with Sweet Red Peppers and Leaf Lettuce and so forth).

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It's this blend of what you might eat when visiting Italy's Tuscan countryside combined with the Southern Comfort foods you might eat when visiting the Southern United States that makes the menu at the Maple Tree both unique and distinctively delicious, but under no circumstances even close to ordinary.

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"Our goal at the Maple Tree," explained Kevin Judge, "is to take care of every detail to ensure that any event we cater, whether a casual backyard gathering at your home, a party at the beach or a more sophisticated event at Martha Clara Vineyards is not only to your satisfaction but an unforgettable experience for you and your guests."

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To learn more, ask questions or book an event, call:  631-727-2819

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Maple Tree BBQ Gourmet Caterers

820 W Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901

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