WMCHealth’s Master Chefs of the Hudson Valley: Corks & Forks Unites Chefs to Raise Funds for Hospitals in WMCHealth Network

Westchester Medical Center Health Network's Master Chefs of the Hudson Valley: Corks & Forks dinner showcased the talents of seven master chefs from across the Hudson Valley for a good cause: supporting WMCHealth‘s10 hospitals in the Hudson Valley.

Held at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park on September 30, the evening featured a six-course culinary feast prepared by some of the region's top chefs. Organized by Chef Peter X. Kelly, Xaviars Restaurant Group, courses were prepared by Peter Kelly and Chefs Jim Ely, owner of Riverview Restaurant in Cold Spring and Yankee Barbecue and Beer Garden in Fishkill; Giovanni Scappin, owner of Cucina in Woodstock and Market Street in Rhinebeck; Michael Kelly, owner of Liberty Street Bistro in Newburgh; Waldy Malouf, The CIA Restaurant Group; Ron Gallo, The Inn at Pound Ridge By Jean-Georges, and Charles H. Fells, Brasserie 292 & The Artist's Palate in Poughkeepsie.

Wines were provided by Anthony D'Arpino of Harrison Wine Vault. Cocktail hour was provided by farm purveyors Bread Alone; Catsmo Fine Foods; Hudson Valley Foie Gras; Hudson Valley Sausage Company; Millstone Spirits Group & New Liberty Distillery; and Sprout Creek Farm.

Robert S. Ross, Executive Vice President, Northern Region, WMCHealth, thanked the chefs for preparing the meal and recognized them for volunteering their time to serve on WMCHealth's new Hudson Valley Food for Life Council. The Food for Life Council is a group of strong leaders in the region's food and wellness arenas who are committed to addressing food policy issues such as food insecurity and access to healthy foods in the Hudson Valley.

"Our Master Chefs of the Hudson Valley: Corks & Forks chefs have joined a prominent group of 21 leaders in healthcare, education, culinary arts, farm-to-table purveyors, government and non-profit agencies who we have convened to help us tackle issues of food insecurity and look at what role we can play in using proper nutrition to support healthy lifestyles in the communities we serve," said Ross. "We are excited about the prospects of the Hudson Valley Food for Life Council, and we thank these chefs for contributing their time and talents to this important effort."


(Top) L to R: Chef Ron Gallo of The Inn at Pound Ridge By Jean-Georges; Chef Giovanni Scappin of Cucina in Woodstock and Market Street in Rhinebeck; Chef Peter X. Kelly of Xaviars Restaurant Group; Chef Michael Kelly of Liberty Street Bistro in Newburgh; Chef Jim Ely of Riverview Restaurant in Cold Spring and Yankee Barbecue and Beer Garden in Fishkill, Chef Charles Fells Brasserie 292 & The Artist's Palate in Poughkeepsie and Chef Waldy Malouf of The CIA Restaurant Group.