2021 Evening of Fiine Food- The Home Edition

2021 Chefs of The Year

Cecelia Reilly & The Dempsey Family QCP Supporters & Family Members

“ Yo u ’ r e Aw e s o m e ” Awa r d H o n o r e e s

Mark Boccia Sr. & Jr. Co-Founders

Food For The Fearless

Jonathan Forgash

Co-Founder & Executive Director

We d n e s d ay March 24, 2021 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Queens Together

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Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

Thank You Golden Delight Sponsors

Thank You Silver Spatula Sponsors

Thank You Bronze Grill Sponsors

Thank You Selfie Booth Sponsors

Thank You Placemat Sponsors

Thank You Napkin Sponsor

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Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

In Partnership With

In Association With

Thank You To Our Media Sponsors

Thank You To Our Entertainment Sponsors

Thank You To Our Special Guests

Clyde Bullard

Emcee LPAC Main Stage

Rev. Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello Our Lady of Mount Carmel

John Luke

Auctioneer A&E’s Storage Wars: New York

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Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

Evening of Fine Food: At-Home Edition “You’re Awesome” Award Honorees Mark Boccia Sr. & Jr., Co -Founders; Food For The Fearless Mark Boccia is a longtime Bayside businessman who stands at the forefront of this ever-trending, fast-paced restaurant industry & who continues to make strides in the community. Mark has been a fixture in Bayside for over 30 years, as the co-owner of Bourbon Street and One Station Plaza, both located in Bayside and Austin’s Ale House in Kew Gardens.

Born and raised in Flushing, Queens Mark attended St. Andrew Avellino & Archbishop Molloy School. He then went on to graduate from St. John’s University and accepted a job working on the trading desk at EF Hutton, which gave him a foundation to build from and set the pace for his future.

Mark has continued to show his support for the local community by being an active member of the Flushing Rotary Club and the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Mark is on the Board of the Bayside BID and the Bayside Business Association, where he was awarded “Businessman of the Year” in 2019. Mark’s generosity has also helped local organizations like the St Mary’s Hospital for Children and the Samuel Field Y; where he was honored as their “Man of Year” in 2016.

In 2020 Mark along with his son Mark Jr. founded “Food for the Fearless;” a non-profit, 501C3 organization that helped to provide restaurant quality meals to all the front-line healthcare professionals and first responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A symbol of community recognition, support, and gratitude “Food for the Fearless” has raised over $150,000 and served over 1000 meals to all those affected by this insidious pandemic.

Both father and son continue to demonstrate their dedication to their community and are excited to continue to lend a helping hand wherever there is need.

Jonathan Forgash, Co -Founder & Executive Director; Queens Together Jonathan Forgash is a chef, businessperson and community organizer for over 25 years. Currently, he is the co-founder and executive director of Queens Together, a grassroots non-profit supporting restaurants with advocacy, promotion, information, and community service projects.

During the COVID-19 crisis Queens Together is building a bridge that connects local restaurants with food relief efforts in their communities. The dollars they raise allow restaurants to make real money, pay their workers, fuel the local economy, and most importantly do what restaurants do best: care for others with food.

The meals and groceries funded by Queens Together, and prepared by these local chefs, goes to neighbors facing food and economic insecurity. Their work benefits the full circle of our community: from food businesses to those in need to those who donate. This mission will continue beyond COVID-19 and become a tool for future needs and projects.

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Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

Evening of Fine Food: At-Home Edition Chefs of the Year Cecelia Reilly & The Dempsey Family QCP Supporters & Family Members

Cecelia Reilly is a retired New York City school teacher. She enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, walking, and loves going into Manhattan to museums and, of course, an occasional good meal out.

Growing up in a large tight-knit family with a brother who had a developmental disability, brought the siblings closer together. As their parents were aging Cecelia knew that her brother, Robert, would need an advocate. One of the reasons Cecelia retired was to become an advocate for her brother.

Cecelia immersed herself in the world of Developmental Disabilities and became a board member on the Queens Council for Developmental Disabilities, advocating for all with intellectual/ developmental disabilities. As her parents were aging, it was important to know everything about her brother and his care.

Cecelia’s brother, Robert, lived at home with his parents for 57 years. After his dad passed away, his ninety-year-old mother became his sole caregiver. Six years ago, QCP had an opening in one of their residences and the family felt that Robert was a good fit.

Robert always has a big smile on his face. He is one of the nicest guys. He is polite, kind, easy going and an expert at word search puzzles. Bob also has a great memory for birthdays and phone

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

Executive Director Terri Ross

Secretary Patricia Coulaz

President Margaret MacPherson

Treasurer Thomas N. Toscano, Esq.

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

Board of Directors Gerald J. Caliendo Raymond Chan Anthony S. Cosentino Franz Gritsch Hon. Raymond J. Irrera James Kilkenny William D. Martin Nancy Vargas

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

Director of Development

Wendy Phaff Gennaro

A Very Special Thank You to QCP’s Board President

Margaret MacPherson Thank you for your leadership and active involvement with Queens Centers for Progress.

With sincere appreciation, The QCP Board of Directors, staff and people we serve.

Evening of Fine Food Program 6:25 PM Zoom Event Opens Main Lobby 6:35 PM Invocation Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello

6:40 PM Event Rooms Open LPAC Main Stage LPAC Supper Club Le Selfie Selfie Booth QCP Movie Theatre Silent Auction Press Room Schmooze Room 7:00 PM Welcoming Address/Program Wendy Phaff Gennaro, Director of Development Margaret MacPherson, President, QCP Board of Directors

QCP MISSION MOMENT Awards Presentation

“Chef of the Year” Cecelia Reilly

“You’re Awesome” Awards

Mark Boccia Sr., Mark Boccia, Jr. & Jonathan Forgash

Sponsor Recognition

Recognizing the generosity of our sponsors 7:30 PM

Entertainment Continues LAST CHANCE TO BUY 50/50 Raffles (1 for $25 or 5 for $100) at 8:15 PM

8:25 PM Closing Remarks 50/50 Winner Announced

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Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

QCP Celebrates Humanity

Recognizing Those Who Supported QCP and Queens during COVID-19 Since its inception in 1950, Queens Centers for Progress (QCP) has grown to become a major provider of services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Queens.

QCP’s focus is getting the people we serve out into the community, at either volunteer sites or community-based employment. QCP’s Supported Employment Program finds jobs in settings such as department stores, supermarkets, and other offices and businesses throughout the borough. Our Day Services Program helps the individuals work on skills that enable them to be more independent at home and in the community. The QCP Children’s Center provides intensive training in cognitive, motor, socialization and communication skills necessary to mainstream the children into public schools.

While our Evening of Fine Food is different this year, we do not want to miss an opportunity to show our gratitude to our QCP family and our wonderful community of supporters. Despite the pandemic, and the havoc it has wreaked on our programs at QCP, and all in our community, we can come together – virtually – to show our gratitude and celebrate the human spirit, the heroism of our staff, and celebrate those in the community who came to our assistance during our darkest hours.

It is that special support that inspired us to create the “You’re Awesome” Award, bestowed upon special people or groups that went above and beyond for QCP in the early days of the pandemic.

Our Evening of Fine Food: AT Home Edition “You’re Awesome” Award recipients are Mark Boccia Sr. & Jr., Co-Founders of Food for the Fearless; and Jonathan Forgash, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Queens Together.

We are extremely grateful for Cecelia Reilly, QCP Supporter and Family Member, along with her family, who humbly accepted being our 2021 Chef of the Year. It is OUR honor to recognize Cecelia and her family for their ongoing support, dedication and service to the community and we are grateful to be part of their extended family and this opportunity to honor them.

Proceeds from the evening will help QCP continue to offer programs and services to more than 1,200 individuals and their families on a daily basis. Through our comprehensive programs, we are able to promote the independence of the people we serve and provide them with the resources they need to reach their fullest potential, and lead an enriching and fulfilling life.

Golden Delight Sponsor

Silver Spatula Sponsor

Golden Delight Sponsor

Bronze Grill Sponsor

RAYMOND CHAN ARCHITECT, P.C. 136-68 Roosevelt Ave 6/FL Flushing NY 11354 Phone: 718-445-2345 Fax: 718-359-8809 info@raymondchanarchitect.com

Silver Spatula Sponsor

Selfie Booth Sponsor

Placemat Sponsor

Bronze Grill Sponsor

Napkin Sponsor

T H A N K Y

Evening of Fine Food Chairwoman Margaret MacPherson Etiquette Consultant First Impressions

Evening of Fine Food Committee George E. Berger, Geor ge E. B er ger & Associates Pat Coulaz, QCP Boar d Mem ber John Governale, QCP Boar d Me m ber Franz Gritsch, Rosenthal & Rosenthal James Kilkenny, QCP Boar d Me m ber Michael J. Macaluso, MJM+A Ar chitects Tarek M. Zeid, Tar ek M. Zeid & Associates

With Special Thanks From

U

Margaret MacPherson Terri Wendy Phaff Gennaro - Director of Development

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Queens Centers for Progress Evening of Fine Food: At Home Edition

Directory of Participating Restaurants and Vendors Please Support our Restaurants and Vendors. Their commitment to QCP and their generosity is what makes this evening a success. We ask that you support your local restaurants and patronize their establishments.

103-02 Metropolitan Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 www.aignerchocolates.com

137-20 Crossbay Boulevard Ozone Park, NY 11417 www.arepalicious.com

59 Old Country Road Carle Place, NY 11514 www.bensdeli.net

630 Old Country Road Garden City, NY 11530 www.havanacentral.com

64-09 Roosevelt Avenue Woodside, NY 11377 www.lacasadejulia.business.site

49-11 69th Street Woodside, NY 11377 www.la-fondita-restaurant-

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

195-04 Linden Boulevard, Room 120315 Jamaica, NY 11421 www.mumskitchensnyc.com

204 N. Fehr Way Bay Shore, NY 11706 www.newyorkgourmetcoffee.co

39-38 Bell Boulevard Bayside, NY 11361 www.papazzio.com

118-14 Queens Boulevard Forest Hills, NY 11375 www.phillypretzelfactory.com

154-10 Cross Island Parkway Whitestone, NY 11357 www.qgfloral.com

113-30 Queens Boulevard Forest Hills, NY 11375 www.queensbully.com

10 Franklin Avenue Hewlett, NY 11557 www.remysitalianrestaurant.co

135-33 40th Road Flushing, NY 11354 www.shanghaiyougardennyc.com

9609 69th Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 718.520.1777

222 First Avenue New York, NY 10009 www.veeraydadhaba.com

Many Thanks to Those Who Have Contributed to QCP’s Online Silent Auction Adria Hotel and Conference Center Aigner Chocolates Amy Kanarek Designs Aramex Arepalicious Arpi's Spa Austin's Ale House Bazzini Nut Company Ben's Restaurant Group, Inc. Best Western Queens Gold Coast Bon Boni/Stepping Stones Bourbon Street Brickhouse Ceramic Art Center Bury the Hatchet Axe Throwing Christie & Co. Salon Christina's Place Christine Jadeja City Line Garden Center Crafts by Janice Crayola Experience Crowne Plaza JFK Airport EatNom Ferrari Driving School Frou Frou Zen Havana Central Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy – Astoria Inn at Great Neck La Fondita Restaurant Lauren Barnett Marbella Restaurant & Catering Mumskitchens NYC One Station Plaza Papazzio Restaurant Penny Feder Studio Philly Pretzel Factory - Forest Hills Premium Bag P's Baking & Catering Services Inc. QG Floral + Landscape Queens Bully Ray-Block Stationery Shanghai You Garden Shaun & Melani Caruana Spectrum Bakes Spiderman - Paris Vevgas, Minuteman Bellerose Thai Rock The Family of Ed Charles Veeray da Dhaba

With Gratitude We are always grateful for the support we receive for our Evening of Fine Food event.

This year we are even more grateful - for your support and for the positive outcomes and opportunities that presented themselves in the past year, despite the tragedy of the pandemic.

There have been moments for QCP that are painful, but we are heartened by the prospect of being able to get back to what we do best - to serve our individuals to the best of or ability, and continue helping them on their road to progress.

Special Thanks to our “Chef of the Year” and our “You’re Awesome” awardees who continuously “serve” the Queens Community in their unique and awesome ways!

Thank you to all of the wonderful restaurateurs and establishments who took a leap of faith with us in trying something new. We are happy to be able to give back and support them in our own way.

Thank you to our friends John Luke, Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, Roslyn Nieves, and Clyde Bullard for “being here” to help us out! Along with all the wonderful performers who graced our stages.

Thank you to our generous sponsors, our media partners, JME Events, who helped pull this off and all who took part in the planning and execution of this event.

Above all, an abundance of thanks to the QCP Development TeamShaun Caruana, Jyoti Lakhani and Alex Coroneos from NFP Productions for all their hard work!

Ya done good!

And to you, the people who attend our events and support QCP. Your “presence” this evening helps enrich the lives of people with developmental disabilities.

And thank you to: QCP Board President and Event Chair Margaret MacPherson And to our wonderful Event Committee My Heartfelt Appreciation,

Wendy Phaff Gennaro Director of Development