RELEASE: Noted Restaurateur and CIA President to Co-Chair Hudson Valley Restaurant Week

Ed. Note: What follows is a reader-generated announcement.

Dr. L. Tim Ryan, President of the Culinary Institute of America, and Peter X.Kelly, chef and owner of Xaviars Restaurant Group, have been named co-chairs of the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Advisory Board.

"Having Dr. Ryan join our board brings the enormous prestige of the CIA to Hudson Valley Restaurant Week," says Janet Crawshaw, originator and organizer of the event and publisher of The Valley Table magazine. "Many of our participating chefs are graduates of the CIA and many stay here to open restaurants. All of us connected to Restaurant Week are delighted to have Dr. Ryan's leadership in helping us build awareness of the Hudson Valley as a national culinary destination."

Peter Kelly, owner of three fine restaurants in the region, has been a prime mover in the growth of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week since 2006. "Peter has supplied us with vision and leadership every step of the way," says Crawshaw. "We are extremely fortunate to have him continue as co-chair with Dr. Ryan in 2012."

'Dining out during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is a great way to celebrate the exciting array of restaurants that call our region home," says Dr. Ryan. "As co-chair for this year's event, I am pleased to support both our regional chefs including many CIA alumni, as well as the impressive network of valley growers and artisans that produce the wonderful ingredients we all can enjoy."

Members of the advisory board who will be working with Ryan and Kelly, include Vincent Barcelona of Harvest on Hudson in Hastings; Nick Citera of Cosimo's Restaurant Group; John Crabtree of Crabtree's Kittle House in Mt. Kisco; Susan Crocker of Backyard Bistro in Montgomery; Agnes Devereaux of The Village Tearoom Restaurant & Bakeshop in New Paltz; Cathryn Fadde of Cathryn's Tuscan Grille in Cold Spring; Eric Gabrynowicz of Restaurant North in Armonk; Stephan Hengst of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park; Josh Kroner of Terrapin Restaurant in Rhinebeck; Mary Kay Vrba of Dutchess County Tourism; and Kevin Zraly of Windows on the World Wine School.

The sixth annual Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, scheduled for March 18-31, 2012, will include two full weeks so that food enthusiasts can take advantage of special getaway hotel packages in the seven county region. Participating restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe dinners at $29.95 and three-course lunches at $20.95.

Numbers have steadily increased, from 75,000 diners in 70 restaurants in 2006 to 200,000 diners in 161 restaurants in 2011. Restaurant registration for the 2012 is
now open. Restaurants that sign up for 2012 before November 30 can do so at a discounted rate.

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is presented by The Valley Table magazine. Major sponsors include WHUD Radio, American Express and The Gold Standard.

For information about the benefits of sponsorship of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week 2012 and details for restaurateurs about how to participate, visit www.HudsonValleyRestaurantWeek.com.