Chefs for Success

Chefs for Success 2025 logo

Join celebrity guest chefs from around the Capital Region for an evening of food stations, cocktails and a silent auction to raise funds for student scholarships!

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

6:00-9:00 p.m., SUNY Schenectady

Tickets are $100 per person, $75 for faculty, staff, alumni and students

 

Chef Melissa Doney, Sysco Foods; Chef AJ Jayapal, Miss Sydney's; Chef Jamie Ortiz, Primary Food Group

Chef Vanessa Schulte, SUNY Schenectady; Chef Rain O'Donnell, SUNY Schenectady; Chefs Tim Vennard, Mazzone Hospitality

Chef Courtney Withey, SUNY Schenectady; Chef Devin Ziemann, Ziemann Hospitality

2025 Chefs and Menus

Chef Melissa Doney - Sysco Foods

  • Seared Scallop
    Orange Fennel Tomato Coulis, Grilled Polenta
  • Raspberry Amaretto Braised Beef Cheek
    Cider Root Vegetable Puree

Chef AJ Jayapal - Miss Sydney's

  • Electric City Mary’s
    10 Mill Vodka, Old World Potato Knish & Chopped Pastrami Spud Bite, 3 Sisters Bloody Mary Mix
    Featuring Miss Sydney’s 3 Sisters Bloody Mary Mix
  • Chicken & Waffles
    Miss Sydney’s Chicken Kabob, Indu’s Chutney Maple Glazed Waffle.
    Featuring Miss Sydney’s Jo-Jo’s Kabob Karma Spice Blend & Indu’s Chutney

Chef Jaime Ortiz - Primary Food Group

  • Peruvian Chicken Arepas
    with aji verde, and purple sweet corn relish
  • Brisket and Goat Cheese Jalapeño Poppers
    with bacon and  horseradish pasilla pepper mayo

Chef Vanessa Schulte and Chef Rain O'Donnell - SUNY Schenectady

  • Mini Cannoli
    crispy pastry shell, sweetened ricotta cream, pistachio dust, candied cherry
  • Petit Fours
    delicate almond sponge layers, raspberry jam, white chocolate glaze, cookie garnish
  • Earl Grey Chouquettes
    sugared choux puffs, earl grey crème légère, blueberry compote, candied lemon
  • Bonbon
    decadent chocolate, spiced caramel

Chef Tim Vennard - Mazzone Hospitality

  • Pork Belly Burnt Ends
    Hummus, Tapenade, Chili Oil, Chickpeas, Pita
  • Crab Tater Tots
    Bearnaise, Preserved Lemon

Chef Courtney Withey - SUNY Schenectady

  • Wood Fire Roasted Local Fall Vegetables
    Hollandaise, Brown butter, Snap peas, Red Currant
  • Crispy Duck Confit
    Cranberry Pear Butter, Sweet Potato Bacon Gratin, Sauce Vert

Chef Devin Ziemann - Ziemann Hospitality

  • Lamb Slider
    Lamb kefta, ezme, sumac onion, arugula, toum, pita
  • Smoked Pork Loin
    Grit tot, sausage gravy, black garlic onion puree, pickled peppers