Issuu

Richard S. David Director, Queens Corporate Affairs

Patricia Ornst

Ben

Loycent

Tuesday - March 24, 2026

Terrace on the Park

Thank You to Our Corporate

Corporate Sponsors

Platter Sponsor:

Delight Sponsor: Corporate Sponsors

Spoon Sponsors: Corporate Sponsors

Grill Sponsors: Corporate Sponsors

booth Sponsors: Corporate Sponsors

Underwriters: Corporate Sponsors

Thank You to Our

Our Media Sponsors

Thank You to Our

Our Production Team

Sponsors Corporate Sponsors

Our Special Guests

GUEST EMCEE: Roz Nieves

Rick Bedrosian Writer & Host

I Could Eat

Staff & Volunteers

to all of our wonderful volunteers whose time and part of this event. without your help!

PLATINUM PLATTER

PLATTER SPONSOR

DELIGHT SPONSOR

PROGRAM

5:30 PM VIP Hour

Silent Auction Bidding & Raffle Sales Open

Selfie Booth Opens

Casino Tables Open

Food Stations Open For Sponsors and Their Guests

6:00 PM Recognition of Prior Chefs of the Year & Claire Shulman Awardees

Recognition of Sponsors

Recognition of Legacy Restaurants

Presentation by Elected Officials

Honorable James F. Gennaro - Councilman 24th District

Honorable Donovan Richards, Jr. - Queens Borough President

7:15 PM Event Program

EMCEES

Monica Morales Roslyn Nieves PIX11 QPTV

AWARDS PRESENTATION

2026 Chef of the Year

Ben Guttmann, Executive Officer Queens Economic Development Corporation

2026 Chef of the Year

Patricia Ornst, Director - NYS and Local Government Affairs Delta Air Lines

2026 Chef of the Year

Richard S. David, Director - Queens Corporate Affairs Con Edison

Claire Shulman Spirit of Community Award Loycent Gordon, Chief Executive Officer Neir’s Tavern

8:30 PM Silent Auction Closes

Last Chance to buy Raffle Tickets

8:45 PM 50/50 Raffle, Casino Raffle, Raffle Winners announced

Pick up your silent auction winnings!

Closing Remarks

2026 Chef of the Year

Richard S. David Director, Queens Corporate Affairs ConEdison

Richard David is the regional director for Con Edison in Queens. In this role, he serves as the face of the company in the World's Borough by keeping us updated on the clean energy transition, reliability, energy affordability programs, emergency preparedness, and some grant making. He engages elected, corporate and community stakeholders on construction projects, newelectricvehiclechargingstations,thecompany’sphilanthropic programs, and other topics including the rising cost ofenergy. He hasbeenwithConEdisonforfiveyears.

He previously oversaw the nonprofit arm at Kasirer, the leading lobbying firm in New York City. Prior to that, Richard wasaChiefofStaffattheNewYorkCityAdministrationforChildren the creation of standard operating procedures for the agency’s program managers and developed processes to enhance the agency’s relationship with providers. During his time at ACS, Richard helpedwithemergencybackgroundclearancesforthesuccessfultransferofyoungpeopletoserve timeclosertohomeunderthe‘RaisetheAge’law.

RichardalsoservedasanExecutiveDirectorattheNewYorkCityDepartmentofConsumerAffairs, overseeing the launch of the Commuter Benefits Law to ensure large employers offered their staff the opportunity to use pre-tax income for the cost of public transit to lower their federal tax obligation. This simple program saved a little more on the paychecks of hundreds of thousands of working-classfamilies.

For eight years, Richard managed capital and discretionary-funded projects between the city, nonprofits, and corporations as a Vice President with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Hemanagedover150agreementsthat ledtotheconstruction oftheaters, museums, health, senior and community centers that provided new and expanded programming across the five boroughs. These include Yankee Stadium, the Nan Shan Senior Center in Flushing, and the ApolloTheaterinHarlem.

For 10 years, he served on the Community Board, and co-founded the Indo-Caribbean Alliance, a nonprofit that specializes in services, advocacy, and cultural programming for Indo-Caribbean and South Asian residents. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Hunter CollegeandaMaster’sin PublicAdministrationfromNewYorkUniversitywithaconcentrationin public and nonprofit management. Richard is a District Leader. He serves as a board member at QueensLibrary,LongIslandCityPartnershipandtheAllianceforFlushingMeadowsCoronaPark.

RichardwasborninGuyanaandlivesinSouthOzonePark,NewYork.

BOARD MEMBERS

Executive Director

Terri Ross

President

Thomas N. Toscano, Esq.

Vice Presidents

Joseph A. Cristiano

Hon. David Elliot

Hon. Tarek M. Zeid

Active Past Presidents

Hon. George E. Berger

John J. Governale

Michael Macaluso

Margaret MacPherson

Jack M. Weinstein

Adult Center

81-15 164th Street

Jamaica, NY 11432

Tel.: 718-380-3000

Fax: 718-380-0483

Secretary

Patricia Coulaz

Treasurer

Franz Gritsch

Board of Trustees

Gerald J. Caliendo

Raymond Chan

Anthony S. Cosentino

Lara Gregory

Tyquana Henderson-Rivers

Hon. James Kilkenny

Director of Development

Wendy Phaff Gennaro

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

2026 Chef of the Year

Ben Guttmann

Executive Director

QueensEconomicDevelopmentCorporation

Ben Guttmann is Executive Director of the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC), where he leads a team that supports thousands of entrepreneurs each year and relentlessly championsthediverseQueenseconomy.

Prior to QEDC, Ben was a marketing executive, business educator, andadvisor.Overthecourseofadecade,Benco-founded,built,and eventuallysoldDigitalNativesGroup,anaward-winningmarketing agency headquartered in Long Island City. A pioneering firm in Western Queens’ booming tech and creative industry, Digital Natives Group worked with clients including the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, Grand Central Terminal, Hachette Book Group, The Nature Conservancy, and other major brands. In addition to recognition from the Webby's, Shorty's, and other industry awards, the agency was named 2018 national agency of the yearbySproutSocial.

Since 2014, Ben has taught marketing at the Zicklin School of Business at CUNY Baruch, his alma mater. (A former student government nerd, Ben believes that CUNY is one of the best engines of economicopportunityintheworld.)

Ben is the author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win – and How to Design Them (Berrett-Koehler,2023),agold-medalrecipientfromtheIBPABookAwards.Hiswritingcanalsobe found in ADWEEK, Publisher’sWeekly, Crain’sNewYorkBusiness, CityLimits, and other publications, andhehasspokenatSXSW,theNewYorkSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter,theNewYorkPublic Library,NYU,andothervenues.

In2019,Benco-createdandcontinuestohostQueensTechNight,nowaprogramofQEDC.Thisannual event has brought together more than 2,000 tech leaders, and has featured speakers such as Paula Scher, Partner at Pentagram, Sal Perez, Executive Producer at Sesame Street, and Andy Byford,SpecialAdvisoratAmtrak.

BenservedontheQEDCBoardofDirectorsforsevenyears,includingserviceontheExecutiveCommitteeandasBoardPresident.BencurrentlyservesontheSunnysideShinesBoardofDirectors,the JFKRedevelopmentCommunityAdvisoryCouncil,theNYCNeighborhoodCapitalCorporationAdvisory Board, and the Baruch College Marketing Advisory Board. He has previously served on the LongIslandCityPartnershipBoardofDirectorsandQueensCommunityBoard2.

THANK YOU

Event Chairperson

Margaret MacPherson

QCP Board of Directors

Event Committee

Rick Bedrosian, Writer & Host (I Could Eat)

Gerald Caliendo, Gerald Caliendo Architects, PC

Raymond Chan, Raymond Chan Architects

Samantha Chillemi-Berenz, Yelp NYC

Pat Coulaz, QCP Board Member

Lara Gregory, Lara Gregory and Associates

John Governale, QCP Board Member

Franz Gritsch, Valley National Bank

Mary Keating, QCP Family Member

James Kilkenny, QCP Board Member

Michael J. Macaluso, Michael J. Macaluso & Associates

Hersh Parekh, 2024 Chef of the Year

Julienne B. Ryan, J. Ryan Partners

Jeff Simmons, Anat Gerstein, Inc.

Thomas N. Toscano, Esq., Mr. T Carting & QCP Board President

Tarek M. Zeid, Tarek M. Zeid & Associates

Thomas N. Toscano, Esq. President

Terri Ross Executive Director

QCP Development Team

Wendy Phaff Gennaro Director of Development

Shaun Caruana Jyoti Lakhani Meliza Santiago

2026 Chef of the Year

Patricia Ornst Director, NYS and

Local

Government Affairs DeltaAirLines

Patricia Ornst is Managing Director of State and Local Government Affairs for Delta Air Lines in New York, where she leads the company’s engagement with state and local officials, community stakeholders, and civic institutions to advance Delta’s strategicobjectivesacrossthestate.

With more than 25 years of experience in aviation policy and nearly12yearsatDelta,Ornsthasplayedaleadershiproleduring someoftheindustry’smostconsequentialmoments.Shewasakey contributor to the $8 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, includingthe$4billionreconstructionofDelta’sTerminalC.

Ornst’s work extendsbeyond aviation and government affairs to a deep commitment to civic engagement and community leadership across New York Cityand State. She currently serves on several nonprofit and civic boards, where she supports initiatives focused on cultural preservation, economic development, transportation policy, workforce development, and youth and family services. Her board service includes the Greater New York YMCA; Flushing Meadows–CoronaParkAlliance;SnugHarborCulturalCenterandBotanicalGarden;Associationfor aBetterNewYork(ABNY)Foundation;NewYorkBuildingCongress;andtheNYURudinCenterfor Transportation.

Previously,OrnstservedasDirectorofStateandLocalGovernmentAffairsfortheNortheastregion atAmericanAirlinesandasVicePresidentofAviationattheNewYorkCityEconomicDevelopment Corporation,wheresheledthecitysaviationstrategy.Earlierinhercareer,shespentnearlyseven yearsatAirportsCouncilInternational

THANK YOU

With Gratitude — 30 Years of Evening of Fine Food

As we celebrate the 30th Annual Evening of Fine Food Queens’ longest-running food tasting — we pause with immense gratitude for the community that has made three decades of impact possible.

Tonight, we proudly honor Patty Ornst, Ben Guttmann, Richard David, and Loycent Gordon leaders who exemplify what it means to serve Queens with heart, integrity, and generosity. Your commitment to community strengthens not only this event, but the very fabric of our borough.

We are deeply grateful to our extraordinary Emcees, Roz Nieves and Monica Morales, whose energy and professionalism elevate this evening year after year.

A special thank you to our distinguished guests, Joe DiStefano and Rick Bedrosian, for joining us in celebration and support.

To our past Chefs of the Year more than 30 years of remarkable community champions who have “served” Queens in the most meaningful way thank you for being the foundation of this beloved tradition. Your spirit, creativity, and loyalty have shaped Evening of Fine Food into the institution it is today.

To the restaurants and establishments who generously share their talents… to our sponsors who invest in our mission… to our staff and volunteers who give their time tirelessly… and to each guest who walks through these doors you make this night possible.

Most importantly, thank you for standing with Queens Centers for Progress as we support 1,500 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Your presence here helps create opportunity, dignity, and inclusion for the people we proudly serve every day.

Seven decades of service. Thirty years of Fine Food. One community. Endless gratitude.

My Heartfelt Appreciation, Wendy Phaff Gennaro, Director of Development

2026 Claire Shulman Spirit of Community Award Recipient

Loycent Gordon Chief Executive Officer, Neir’sTavern

LoycentGordon isaJamaicanimmigrantwhoistheOwner&CEO ofHistoricNeir’sTavern(est.1829)inWoodhaven,Queens-oneof America’s oldest bars which he saved three days from closurein2009,despitehavingnopriorhospitalityexperience.Ten years later In 2020, faced with an expired lease and a proposed triplerenthike,heralliedthecommunityandstakeholderstosave thetavernagain,propellingNeir’sintothenationalspotlight.

Under his leadership, Neir’s has been twice listed in the United States Congressional Record and one of the only restaurants to be honored with a New York City street co-naming, “Neir’s Tavern Way.” A former NYC fire lieutenant and now an Executive Board MemberoftheNYCHospitalityAlliance,Gordonpairspreservationwithsmartgrowth.Helaunched the Road to 200 Years initiative with the Neir’s Ambassadors Council of passionate customers to stewardNYC’soldesttavernto200years.

He has secured licensing deals to open two Neir’s Tavern locations at JFK in 2026 and multiple joint-venture partnerships translating neighborhood heritage into airport-scale success without losingthesoulthatmakesNeir’sspecial.

Featured by The New York Times, Fox Business, and NBC Today Show, New York Stock Exchange and recognized as Business Person of the Year, Gordon champions mom-and-pop restaurants and small businesses, mobilizing people and partners to protect those local small businesses who are thesoulofourneighborhoods.

Loycentpairshisadvocacywithcommunitysupportbyhelpingfeedover10,000Queensresidents annually, hosts toy drives and countless charitable events through his local community partnerships.Heservesonnon-profitorganizationssuchasHistoricHouseTrustofNYC,LIJForest Hills Hospital Community Advisory Board and QueensTogether.org food relief. He has been nationally recognized for his community values with the 2025 Goldman Sachs Small Business Award.

Learnmoreatwww.neirstavern.com

EVENING OF FINE FOOD

FOOD RETURNING CHEFS

deeply grateful to our past Honorees and leadership embody the true spirit of Evening of Fine Food so special.

YEAR

FORMER CHEFS

QCP RECOGNIZES FORMER "CHEFS OF THE YEAR"

2025 Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo, President; Vaughn College Uzoamaka N. Okoye, Chief of Staff; The New Terminal One

2024 Hersh K. Parekh, Deputy Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs; PANYNJ Frank J. Quatela, Owner & Principal Architect; Quatela Architects

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.

2021 Cecelia Reilly & The Dempsey Family

2020 William Donnelly, VP - Pharmacy Operations; TotalCareRX Pharmacy

2019 Donna Furey, Attorney at Law; Law Office of Donna Furey

Thomas J. Grech, President & CEO; Queens Chamber of Commerce

2018 Scott Molina, President; Resorts World Casino, New York City

2017 Brian Rooney, Reg. VP; Mutual of America

2016

Hon. Audrey Pheffer

2015 Charles and Brenda Catalano; C&S Pharmacy Neil Levin; Webline Designs

2014 Joseph Sciame, VP Comm. Relations; St. John's University

2013 Thomas Galante; The Queens Library

Linda DeSabato, President; Vallo Transportation

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

2009 Jack Rainey, V.P. of Governmental & Community Banking; TD Bank

Mary Ann Mattone

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

Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Awardee Rachel Kellner, Aigner Chocolates

Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Awardee Lara Gregory, Lara Gregory and Associates

Claire Shulman “Spirit of Community” Awardee Detective Tanya Duhaney, Police Borough Queens South

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

Mark Boccia, Sr. & Jr.; Food for the Fearless

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

Dominick Totino, Photographer; Dominick Totino Photography

Maria Odysseos, Vice President, District Manager; Investors Bank

Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello, Host of Breaking Bread

Chief Diana Pizzuti & Chief David Barrere Cook-Off

Andy Gioe & Brian Kelly; Cascon Baking

Hon. Claire Shulman; Former Queens Borough President

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

Hon. Martha Taylor, Attorney & Community Leader

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

MaryAnn Esposito, Host & Creator of "Ciao Italia"

Humanitarian Award Joe Iaboni; Jamaica Rotary Club

Humanitarian Award Jack Friedman; Chamber of Commerce

Daniel Rodriguez, America's NYPD Tenor

Carol Conslato; Con Edison Lidia Mattichhio Bastianich

Estelle Ciooper, Ass’t Parks Commissioner

2004 Jacqueline Arrington, Director Community Relations; Citibank

2003 Georgiana Reese, V.P.; NY Community Bank

2002

Gloria D'Amico; Queens County Clerk

Council Member Mark Weprin

Councilmember David I. Weprin

Senator Frank Padavan

Borough President Helen Marshall

SILVER SPOON SPONSOR

REMEMBERING OUR

Over the past 30 years, we have been blessed gave of themselves so generously — to Queens, Centers for Progress. Some of those beloved spirit remains woven into the fabric of Evening memory with gratitude — and

OUR PAST CHEFS

blessed to honor extraordinary individuals who Queens, to our community, and to Queens beloved “Chefs” are no longer with us, but their Evening of Fine Food. Tonight, we honor their and carry their spirit forward.

Queens Centers for Progress is proud to honor commitment and generous support have been the very beginning — their dedication to our cherished event truly

Austin Bourbon Kaieteur

Marbella Restaurant MumsKitchens

House

One Station Plaza

Schmidt's Candy Room of Forest Hills

honor our Legacy Vendors whose unwavering been a cornerstone of Evening of Fine Food from our mission and community is what makes this truly extraordinary.