Make A Wish Sends Hudson Valley Kid To New Orleans

TARRYTOWN, NY — Thanks to Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and JetBlue, Joshua Brennan — a Hudson Valley 14-year-old with hypoplastic left heart syndrome — recently had his wish granted for an unforgettable culinary experience in New Orleans. One of the highlights of the six-day adventure, for which JetBlue provided flights for Brennan and his parents, was for the young chef to team up with Executive Chef Nathan Richard of Cavan Restaurant & Bar.

The result was Chef Brennan, who lives in Pawling, helping to prepare a lunch that was served to members of French Quarter Engine 39 where Richard serves as a firefighter.

Other fire chiefs and firefighters in the area were also invited to recognize the wish kid and enjoy his meal.

The meal consisted of cornbread biscuits with honey butter and jelly, macaroni salad with tasso, collards, fried chicken and king cake for dessert.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart.

Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, a spokesman said. The Hudson Valley chapter includes Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.

Photo caption: Joshua Brennan, left, and Nathan Richard posing at entrance of Cavan. Photo credit: Submitted.