Chef Judges Pick Final Recipes for BOCES Fundraiser

2012 is a leap year and this year Rockland BOCES is doing something new to raise money. The Rockland County Welcome Committee, Nanuet Lions and Rockland BOCES are hosting the Leap Year 2012 Fundraiser Buffet Dinner at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 29 at Rockland BOCES, 65 Parrott Road Building No. 9 in West Nyack. 

It's $45 and Proceeds will go toward the Rockland BOCES Adult Education and Business Services Division to help ESL students achieve their educational goals. For every two tickets purchased, you will receive Chef Marcello Russodivito's new cookbook The Story of My 25 Years as Chef-Owner, a $25 value.

"Currently there are no privately funded programs at Rockland BOCES that offer financial assistance to adult ESL students," said Christine DeLillo, event organizer. "It is our goal to establish a scholarship fund for eligible adult ESL students interested in furthering their education. With support from our community and local businesses, we believe we will achieve our goal and look forward to awarding many student scholarships."

This buffet will feature five recipes from a contest. Last week, local chefs met up at Union Restaurant and Bar  in Haverstraw to judge and determine the final five. All chefs carved out time in their busy schedules to meet up to sift through the recipe submissions and the final pick was then cooked and sampled.

"This event is going to be so much fun," said DeLillo. "Educators, students, family and friends are invited to an evening of fun, friendship and an ethnic dining experience. Everyone attending will feast on five distinct multicultural winning family recipe dishes."

Rockland BOCES students submitted recipes in a contest called “Bring Your Ancestor’s Best Family Recipe,” sponsored by Rockland BOCES adult education ESL program. A special committee including a few of the county’s local chefs chose the winning recipes. 

"Each of the five winning dishes will have been pre-prepared by Rockland BOCES adult and high school culinary students working alongside the winning contestants, under the guidance of culinary arts instructor Kendell Brenner," said DeLillo.

"The chefs got together to talk about the cause," DeLillo added. "One of the chefs, Chef Jose David Martinez of Union Restaurant and Bar, became a citizen just a few months ago and Paul Piperato swore him in."

This year's guest of honor is Piperato, Rockland County Clerk. She added that the chefs come from many different backgrounds and are passionate about what this scholarship fund means to them.

"The cause behind the event resonated with the chefs. The chefs also wanted to support BOCES because of their culinary department," she said. "If you come here and learn another language, it's hard and there should be an opportunity in place for you if you move on after ESL classes. As long as you've completed ESL training and you want to pursue a career and get technical training or adult education, this scholarship program will help you do just that."

Seating is limited so purchasing tickets in advance is recommended.

Please make checks payable to: Rockland County Welcome Center, Inc. c/o Rockland BOCES Scholarships

Mailing Address: Rockland County Welcome Center, Inc. PO Box 445 Nyack NY, 10960

To RSVP or for more information, please contact Christine DeLillo at 845-445-7625 (ROCK) or http://rcwc.givezooks.com/events/fundraiser-buffet-dinner-rockland-boces-scholarships

The Chefs/Restaurateurs

• Udaya Prakash— in New City
• Owner Paulo Fetira and Chef Jose David Martinez—of Union Restaurant
• Marcello Russodivito—owner Marcello's
• Alain Eigenmann—owner
• Ula Robertson—At Your Service NY Caterers
• Mike Fasciano—Giulios Restaurant
• Maryanne Olive—owner  and
• Emmett Woods—
• Dorothy Clark—owner
• Joe Rispoli—owner of Savory Cinema Catering and Events
• Patrick Sherrill—Restaurant Manager of Harbourside Grille
• Kendell Brenner—Culinary Instructor BOCES
• William Boydston—Director of Rockland BOCES Adult and Career and Technical Education
• Al Moschetti—Adult Education Supervisor Rockland BOCES
• Doug Trabal—Restaurant Depot Northeast Regional Director of Sales  
• Christine DeLillo and Ellen Emmert—Rockland Welcome Committee
• Ayal Lindeman—Local supporter of ESL and further education through Rockland BOCES and RCC
• Bosede Akamiokhor—Affinity Health Plan Community Program Manager

Marcello Russodivito's The Story of My 25 Years as Chef-Owner

Full Color Hard-Bound Book Version 

"In this book, we have created a way for customers and friends to take a look into the kitchen with me and discover my favorite recipes and the decisions I have made behind the scenes," said Russodivito. "This book features stories of my business adventures, my 25 favorite recipes, and 25 classic recipes from my past cookbook. Continuing on the theme of 25, we have also gathered my 25 favorite restaurants in Italy, 25 top Italian restaurants and 25 favorite restaurants in New York City. Also included are 25 links of tips for food, wine, and traveling in Italy. Last but not least, in this book you find Italian translations of all content so that it can be enjoyed by friends and family in Italy, as well."