2024 Evening of Fine Food Journal

Queens Centers for Progress

28th Annual Evening of Fine Food Tuesday - February 27, 2024

Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th Street I Corona, NY 11368 Diamond Sponsor:

Chef of the Year: Hersh K. Parekh

Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs

Port Authority of NY & NJ

Claire Shulman Award Recipient: Lara Gregory, Esq. Principal Attorney

Lara Gregory and Associates

Chef of the Year: Frank J. Quatela

Owner & Principal Architect

Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C.

DIAMOND

D SPONSOR Congratulates

Queens Centers for Progress for 74 years of service to the community.

And sends her best wishes to this year’s exemplary Chefs of the Year

Hersh K. Parekh and Frank J. Quatela and Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Award Recipient

Lara Gregory, Esq. Chairperson Futures in Education

Veronica Tsang Executive Vice President Cathay Bank

Evening of Fine Food 2013 Chef of the Year

Thank You to Ou

Diamond

ur Corporate Sponsors

Sponsor:

Thank You to Ou

Golden Delig

ur Corporate Sponsors

ght Sponsor:

Thank You to Ou

Silver Spatul

ur Corporate Sponsors

la Sponsors:

Thank You to Ou

Bronze Gril

ur Corporate Sponsors

ll Sponsors:

Thank You to Ou

Entertainme

ur Corporate Sponsors

ent Sponsors:

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Selfie Booth

ur Corporate Sponsors

h Sponsors:

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Casino Sp

P Y T H I A

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Media and Spec

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cial Sponsors:

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Media and Spec

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cial Sponsors:

Thank You to O

Our Production Team

Thank You to R

Raffle Prize Sponsor

Thank You to

Rick Bedrosian Writer & Host I Could Eat

o Our Special Guests

Joe DiStefano Food Writer, Culinary Tour Guide & Author 111 Places in Queens That You Must Not Miss

Thank You to

Fr. James O’Shea Provincial Immaculate Conception Monastery

o Our Special Guests

Greg Mocker Reporter PIX11

Thank You to O

A special thank you to a members and volunteers are a vital part

We couldn’t do it w

Our Staff & Volunteers

all of our wonderful staff s whose time and energy t of this event.

without your help!

SILVER SPATULA SPONSOR

2024 Chef of the Year Hersh K. Parekh

Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs

Port Authority of NY & NJ

HERSH PAREKH serves as Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In this role, Hersh works closely with elected officials and other government partners at the local, state, and federal level, along with business, faith, civic, education, and other community leaders and stakeholders. The focus of this work is to ensure there is regular engagement, open lines of communication, and opportunities for partnership in relation to the agency’s transportation infrastructure facilities and large capital projects.

Some of the agency’s recent and current major capital projects where Hersh has provided strategic support are the $8 Billion Whole New LGA program, $19 Billion New JFK program, and $10 Billion new Midtown Bus Terminal program. His work has included negotiating to help advance projects and navigating regulatory approval and permitting processes, while also prioritizing the interests of the community and mitigating project impacts.

In the community, Hersh has delivered significant benefits such as STEM educational programming for hundreds of elementary and middle-school students, capacity building programming for local and diverse businesses, millions of dollars in scholarships for high school students, and job training and placement support for thousands of local residents. In addition, he works closely with colleagues across the agency to ensure contracting opportunities are available and accessible for disadvantaged, diverse, and local business enterprises. Under Hersh’s leadership, the Port Authority and its private partners at the LaGuardia Redevelopment Program awarded more than $2 billion in contracts to MWBEs, a historic amount in the State of New York. Additionally, more than $850 million in contracts were awarded to local businesses around LGA. He expects to surpass that record-breaking participation at the JFK Redevelopment Program, ensuring that the economic benefits from these projects continue accruing to the community.

Hersh has worked in politics and government for 15 years. Before coming to the Port Authority, Hersh spent 4½ years working for Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, first as the Queens Regional Representative, and then as the Director of Downstate Regional and Intergovernmental Affairs. He is a native of Queens, NY, and a proud graduate of The Bronx High School of Science, Boston University, and the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University. Hersh is also an attorney admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey.

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

2024 Chef of the Year Frank J. Quatela A.I.A NCARB Owner & Principal Architect

Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C.

FRANK J. QUATELA is the owner and Principal Architect of Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C. an award winning, architectural firm offering multi-disciplinary services, ranging from the designs of single-family homes to mixed-use high rise buildings.

After graduating from New York Institute of Technology in 1996 with a Bachelor’s in Architecture, Frank immersed himself in gaining as much firsthand experience in this profession. He began his internship in 1995 working in a design-build firm in Long Island, then for a boutique firm in Great Neck and ending in a large Queens firm. His passion and perseverance for architecture drove him to take the next step in his professional career.

In 2009, Frank J Quatela Architect, P.C. was established. One of the guiding principles behind his firm is the idea that every architect should contribute to the profession by responding to the needs of the community in which they practice. Frank’s contribution can be seen through his participation in local school events, sponsoring national and international students for internships at his firm, volunteering his services to non-profit organizations, and his involvement in the AIA. Frank Quatela is a Registered Architect in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas and Connecticut. He is also a member of National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), member of Community Board 7 in Queens, STEM committee member at local schools, and immediate past President of the American Institute of Architects Queens Chapter.

GOLDEN DELIGHT SPONSOR

2024 Claire Shulman Spirit of Community Award Recipient Lara Gregory, Esq.

Queens Community Leader, QCP Board Member & Principal Attorney

Lara Gregory and Associates

LARA GREGORY has been serving the Queens community since 2017.

A lawyer by profession, Ms. Gregory is admitted in the State of New York and practices in the Supreme, Surrogate and Immigration courts. She has presented numerous “Know Your Rights” immigration seminars online and has appeared on international television to help educate and best advise those new to our country.

During the pandemic, and before the availability of vaccines, Ms. Gregory launched “Swab and Save Lives” through Legal Good - an initiative which offered free COVID-19 testing directed to reach the most vulnerable in the community regardless of immigration status. This Queens initiative included diverse AAPI communities (including the South Asian communities) through the United Sherpa Association, Interfaith Council for Community Development (ICCD), Ghyalsumdo Sewa Inc., GPK Foundation and local elected officials - uniting with them so that everyone can get tested. As a result, hundreds in the community got tested.

When vaccines became available, Ms. Gregory, together with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA), launched the nationwide vaccination campaign, “Don’t Hesitate, Vaccinate!”. For her community work during the pandemic, Ms. Gregory received the “Bayani” or Hero Award in 2021 from the eminent Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS-NY Metro). In 2022, Ms. Gregory was also awarded a citation of honor by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for her outstanding community work. In March 2023, Ms. Gregory received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States and AmeriCorps for her commitment to community service.

As part of the Hate Crimes Task Force of the National Federation of Filipino Associations (NaFFAA) and of the Filipino Americans for Racial Action (FARA), Ms. Gregory has been at the forefront of the AAPI efforts to combat hate. In addition to webinars, town halls and the global community launch of the anti-hate crime effort with CNN Philippines, she organized AAPI women-led self-defense classes participated by an intergenerational and diverse group of women.

Ms. Gregory serves on and was the immediate past Chair of the Public Safety Committee of Queens Community Board 4, is a member of AAPI Advisory Board of the Queens District Attorney, a member of the Queens Borough President’s Civic Engagement Committee and a committed and valued Board Member of Queens Centers for Progress.

SILVER SPATULA SPONSOR

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PROGRAM 5:30 PM

VIP Hour Wheel of Luck, Silent Auction Bidding & Raffle Sales Open Selfie Booth Opens Casino Tables Open Food Stations open for Sponsors and their guests

6:45 PM

Welcome and Invocation Wendy Phaff Gennaro, QCP Director of Development Father James O’Shea, C.P. - Provincial, Immaculate Conception Monastery Presentation by Elected Officials Honorable James F. Gennaro - Councilman 24th District

7:15 PM

Event Program Greg Mocker, Pix 11 News – Emcee QCP Mission AWARDS PRESENTATION 2024 Chefs of the Year Hersh K. Parekh Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 2024 Chefs of the Year Frank J. Quatela A.I.A NCARB Owner & Principal Architect Frank J. Quatela Architect, P.C. Claire Shulman Spirit of Community Award Lara Gregory, Esq. Queens Community Leader, QCP Board Member and Principal Attorney Lara Gregory and Associates SPONSOR RECOGNITION Presentation of Plaques to Our Generous Sponsors

8:30 PM Last Spin on the Wheel of Luck Last Chance to buy Raffle Tickets Silent Auction Closes 8:45 PM

50/50 Raffle, Casino Raffle, Wheel of Luck Raffle Winners announced Pick up your silent auction winnings!

Closing Remarks

BOARD MEMBERS Executive Director Terri Ross

Secretary Patricia Coulaz

President Thomas N. Toscano, Esq.

Treasurer Thomas N. Toscano, Esq.

Vice Presidents Joseph A. Cristiano Hon. David Elliot Hon. Tarek M. Zeid

Board of Trustees Gerald J. Caliendo Raymond Chan Anthony S. Cosentino Lara Gregory Franz Gritsch Tyquana Henderson-Rivers Hon. Raymond J. Irrera Hon. James Kilkenny Margaret MacPherson Nancy Vargas

Active Past Presidents Hon. George E. Berger John J. Governale Michael Macaluso Jack M. Weinstein

Director of Development Wendy Phaff Gennaro Adult Center 81-15 164th Street Jamaica, NY 11432 Tel.: 718-380-3000 Fax: 718-380-0483

Bellerose Center 249-16 Grand Central Pkwy Bellerose, NY 11426 Tel.: 718-279-9404 Fax: 718-423-1404

Children’s Center 82-25 164th Street Jamaica, NY 11432 Tel.: 718-374-0002 Fax: 718-380-3214

Visit our website at: www.queenscp.org Follow us on:

@QueensCP

THANK YOU Event Chairwoman Margaret MacPherson QCP Board of Directors

Event Committee Rick Bedrosian, W r iter & Host (I Cou ld Eat) Gerald Caliendo, Gerald Calien do Arch itects, PC Raymond Chan, Raym on d Ch an Arch ite cts Samantha Chillemi-Berenz, Y elp NY C Pat Coulaz, QCP B oard Mem ber Joe DiStefano, Culinar y Tour Guide & Auth or (111 Places in Queens That You Must Not Miss) Lara Gregory, Lara Gregory and Associates John Governale, QCP B oard Mem ber Franz Gritsch, Valley Nation al B an k Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, QCP B oard Mem ber Mary Keating, QCP Fam ily Mem ber James Kilkenny, QCP B oard Mem ber Laura Licona, Queen s Ch am ber of Com m erce Michael J. Macaluso, Mich ael J. Macaluso & Associates Julienne B. Ryan, J. Ryan Partn ers Jeff Simmons, An at Gerstein , In c.

Thomas N. Toscano, Esq., Mr. T Cartin g & QCP B oard Pre sident Nancy Vargas, DH2 Ch auffeured Tran sportation Tarek M. Zeid, Tarek M. Zeid & Associates Thomas N. Toscano, Esq. President

Terri Ross Executive Director

Wendy Phaff Gennaro Director of Development

QCP Development Team Shaun Caruana

Jyoti Lakhani

Meliza Santiago

FORMER CHEFS YEAR

QCP RECOGNIZES FORMER "CHEFS OF THE YEAR"

2023

Frank H. Wu - President; Queens College Brett Swanson - Sr. Manager Community Affairs/Social Impact; Grubhub

The Leadership Team of Stop & Shop

2022

Rhonda Binda, VP - Gov’t Affairs & Social Impact; MSG Ent. Corp

Thomas K. Rudzewick, President & CEO; Maspeth Federal Savings

2021

Cecelia Reilly & The Dempsey Family

Mark Boccia, Sr. & Jr.; Food for the Fearless Jonathan Forgash; Queens Together

2020

William Donnelly, VP - Pharmacy Operations; TotalCareRX Pharmacy

Hilary Topper, CEO & President; HJMT Public Relations Inc.

2019

Donna Furey, Attorney at Law; Law Office of Donna Furey Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO; Queens Chamber of Commerce

Dominick Totino, Photographer; Dominick Totino Photography

2018

Scott Molina, President; Resorts World Casino, New York City

Maria Odysseos, Vice President, District Manager; Investors Bank

2017

Brian Rooney, Reg. VP; Mutual of America

Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello, Host of Breaking Bread

2016

Hon. Audrey Pheffer

Chief Diana Pizzuti & Chief David Barrere Cook-Off

2015

Charles and Brenda Catalano; C&S Pharmacy Neil Levin; Webline Designs

Andy Gioe & Brian Kelly; Cascon Baking

2014

Joseph Sciame, VP Comm. Relations; St. John's University

Hon. Claire Shulman; Former Queens Borough President

2013

Thomas Galante; The Queens Library

Veronica Tsang, Sr. VP Branch Admin; Eastern Region, Cathay Bank

2012

Linda DeSabato, President; Vallo Transportation

Hon. Martha Taylor, Attorney & Community Leader

2011

Daniel Leone, Ex. Dir.; QPTV Walter Sanchez; Queens Ledger

Daisy Martinez, Host & Creator of "Viva Daisy!"

2010

Dorothy Lewandowski, Queens Parks Commissioner George Stamatiades, Stamtiades funeral home

MaryAnn Esposito, Host & Creator of "Ciao Italia"

2009

Jack Rainey, V.P. of Governmental & Community Banking; TD Bank

Humanitarian Award Joe Iaboni; Jamaica Rotary Club

2008

Mary Ann Mattone

Humanitarian Award Jack Friedman; Chamber of Commerce

2007

Sid Davidoff, Esq.; Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher, LLP

Daniel Rodriguez, America's NYPD Tenor

2006

Carol Conslato; Con Edison

Lidia Mattichhio Bastianich

2005

Estelle Ciooper, Ass’t Parks Commissioner

Council Member Mark Weprin

2004

Jacqueline Arrington, Director Community Relations; Citibank

Councilmember David I. Weprin

2003

Georgiana Reese, V.P.; NY Community Bank

Senator Frank Padavan

2002

Gloria D'Amico; Queens County Clerk

Borough President Helen Marshall

2001

Stephen Mills, Pres. & CEO; NY Hospital Queens

2000

Hon.& Mrs. Joel Miele

1999

Joe Previte, Chef of the Year

1998

Joe Previte, Guest Chef

THANK YOU With Gratitude I take this opportunity to thank you for making QCP’s 28th Annual Evening of Fine Food - and Queens’ longest running food tasting - at Terrace on the Park such a success!

Special Thanks to our “Chefs of the Year” who continuously “serve” the Queens Community and whose support of QCP is boundless.

And to all of the wonderful restaurateurs and establishments whose participation makes this event happen, year after year.

Thank you to our friends Rick Bedrosian, Joe DiStefano, Fr. James O’Shea, and Greg Mocker for coming to help us out!

Thank you to our generous sponsors, to our tireless volunteers, and to you, the people who attend our events and support QCP. Your presence this evening helps enrich the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

And thank you to: QCP Board President Thomas N. Toscano, Esq. And to our wonderful Event Chairwoman and Committee My Heartfelt Appreciation, Wendy Phaff Gennaro, Director of Development

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

BRONZE GRILL SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

CASINO SPONSOR

CASINO SPONSOR

CASINO SPONSOR

CASINO SPONSOR

SELFIE BOOTH SPONSOR

SELFIE BOOTH SPONSOR

SELFIE BOOTH SPONSOR

SELFIE BOOTH SPONSOR

SPECIAL SPONSOR

SPECIAL SPONSOR

Thank you to the team of

LS Sign Co., Inc. for their continued support and generosity of Evening of Fine Food and Queens Centers for Progress.

Evening of F

Fine Food Memories

Thank You to Our 5 Burro Café Adrienne's NYC Aigner Chocolates Alley Pond Environmental Center Arpi's Spa Austin's Ale House Ben's Restaurant Group, Inc. Bevo's Kitchen Bloom Botanical Bistro Bourbon Street Brickhouse Ceramic Art Center Brooklyn Cyclones Café Renis Carmine's Christie & Co. Salon City Line Garden Center Crayola Experience Cucala Dance Company Dee's Wood Fired Pizza & Kitchen Drinkology Flushing Town Hall Frank Macchio Fuzi Pasta Co Havana Central Hazel Village Il Bacco J. Ryan Partners

JetBlue Kam Rai Th Kupferberg Center for the Laguardia Plaza Landry's In LaVigna Italian Re LEGOLAND New Yo Lessings In LP & Company Ha Mama's of Co Marbella Restaurant Martha's Country Spiderman Mumskitchens Museum of the Mov Nassau County Mus Neirs Taver New York Sh Nick's Bistr Nicole P. Thom North Hills Count NYVA Restauran O Lavrado October Eve Mus One Station P Penny Feder S Peter Andrews China

r Silent Auction Donors

hai e Performing Arts a Hotel c. estaurant York Resort nc. air Design rona & Catering y Bakery n NYC ving Image seum of Art rn huk ro mas try Club nt Group or sic LLC Plaza Studio a & Crystal

Piccolo Sogno Premium Bag QG Floral + Landscape Queens Theatre in the Park Ray-Block Stationery Resorts World Casino Reynan Punzalan Rivercrest Sacs Place Sala Astoria Sassy Sweet Vegan Treats Schmidt's Candy Steve Madden Stop & Shop The Bier and Cheese Collection The Matzo Project The New Victory Theatre The Paint Place The Wine Room of Forest Hills Tilles Center Tratorria 35 U.S.T.A. National Tennis Center, Inc. Veeray da Dhaba Vetro Restaurant White Post Farms Wildlife Conservation Society

Evening of F

123-01 Merrick Boulevard Jamaica, NY 11434

25 Van Brunt Road Broad Channel, NY 11693

103-02 Metrop Forest Hills,

82-70 Austin Street Kew Gardens, NY 11415

347-228-0820 gracia@bevoskitchen.com

40-12 Be Bayside, N

43-04 34th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101

68-26 Fresh Meadow Lane Fresh Meadows, NY 11375

glazedon

253-24 Northern Boulevard Little Neck, NY 11362

87-12 Lefferts Boulevard Jamaica, NY 11418

43-11 28th Astoria, N

10-63meal.com

austinsteakandalehouse.com

drinkologynyc.com

ilbaccony.com

adriennes-nyc.com

bevoskitchen.com

aignerchoc

bourbonstr

fuzipasta.com

kamrait

Fine Food Vendors

politan Avenue , NY 11375

altheastropicaldelights@gmail.com altheastropicaldelights.com

olates.com

137-20 Cross Bay Boulevard Ozone Park, NY 11417 arepalicious.com

ell Blvd.

NY 11361

47-14 30th Avenue Astoria NY 11103

316 Pine Street, Suite 114 Burlington, VT 05401

nuts.com

630 Old Country Road Garden City, NY 11530

hijole.com

167-20 Hillside Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432

100-11 Metropolitan Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375

reetny.com

h Avenue NY 11103

thai.net

caferenis.com

citizencider.com

havanacentral.com

khalilsfood.com

lavignany.com

Evening of F

5-43 48th Avenue Long Island City, NY 11101

madefreshorganic.com

littlecheflittlecafe.com

36-47 30 Long Island C

makinacaf

47-02 30th Avenue Astoria, NY 11103

32-07 34th Avenue Astoria, NY 11106

info@mumskitchensnyc.com

10 Franklin Avenue Hewlett, NY 11557

remysitalianrestaurant.com

92-15 149th Street Jamaica, NY 11435

rinconsalvadorenonycom

151 New Hyde Park Road Franklin Square, NY 11010

3106 Farrington Street Flushing, NY 11354

39-28 Bell Boulevard Bayside, NY 11361

96-09 69th Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375

maxbratwurstnyc.com

stopandshop.com

mumskitchensnyc.com

mayahuelastoria.com

tavernakyclades.com

romillycidre.com

thewineroomfh.com

Fine Food Vendors

0th Street City, NY 11106

fenyc.com

220-33 Northern Boulevard Bayside, NY 11361 marbella-restaurant.com

16307 29th Avenue Flushing, NY 11358 marinosupermarket.com

87-48 78th Street Woodhaven, NY 11421

213-10 41st Avenue Bayside, NY 11361

86-45 Edgerton Boulevard Jamaica, NY 11432

905 Seneca Avenue Ridgewood, NY 11385

ssvtnyc.com

9415 Jamaica Avenue Woodhaven, NY 11421

213-15 35th Avenue Bayside, NY 11361

222 1st Avenue New York, NY 10009

neirstavern.com

ospbayside.com

rudysbakeryandcafe.com

trattoria35.com

www.reconnectnyc.org

schmidtscandy.com

veeraydadhaba.com

TWA Hotel Food Hall One Idlewild Dr. - JFK Airport vinnyspanininyc.com