Chefs for Success

Chefs for Success 2026 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 27, 2026

6:00-9:00 p.m.

Elston Hall, Van Curler Room

Purchase Tickets for Chefs for Success

2026 Chefs and Menus

Close up of Chef Stephen Barrett holding a plate of artfully plated food.Chef Stephen Barrett - Fallside Brewing

  • Warm Spiced Charred Carrot
    Labneh, Dukkah, Pomegranate Molasses, Mint, lemon zest
  • Fallside Lager-Braised Brats
    Crispy cabbage, Fennel apple slaw, Blue cheese, Hot Honey

 

 

 

Chef Armondo Cioccke wearing a white chef coat, holding a sheet of freshing pressed pasta.Chef Armondo Cioccke - Armondo's Villa Tuscan Grill

  • Menu coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

Chef Nick Gabriel, wearing a black chef coat, standing in a restaurant kitchen.Chef Nick Gabriel - Nicole's Catering

  • Vegetable Tagine
    Harissa spiced sweet potatoes, squash, peppers, eggplant, and chickpeas topped toasted almonds and apricots
  • Korean Braised Chicken Thigh
    Braised Chicken thigh, Korean glaze, scallion pancake, pickled vegetable salad

 

 

Headshot of Chef Brianna Kwiatkowski.Chef Brianna Kwiatkowski - Oh! Honey Bakery

  • Blackened Chickpea Sandwich on Ciabatta (Vegan)
  • Tates thyme
    Twice bake potato, brioche Danish

 

 

 

Chefs Rain O'Donnell and Vanessa Schulte stand behind a table filled with individual desserts. Chef Rain O’Donnell, Chef Vanessa Schulte, and Baking and Pastry Arts Students - SUNY Schenectady

  • Pumpkin Chai Tres Leches
    Delicate pumpkin sponge, chai- spiced tres leches, Crème Chantilly
  • Raspberry Pistachio Silk Tart V/GF
    Raspberry-infused chocolate, pistachio crust
  • Poached Pear and Frangipane Tart
    Puff pastry, almond frangipane, poached pears, cider caramel
  • Miso Caramel Brownie
    Fudgy chocolate brownie, miso caramel ganache

Chef Cassondra Saddlemire, wearing a dark chef coat, stands with hands on hips in a restaurant kitchen.Chef Cassondra Saddlemire - 30 Park at Hilton Garden Inn

  • Beef Bacon Jam Skewers
    Bourbon Bacon jam smothered grilled beef tips
  • Lemon Summer Chicken
    Fresh grilled lemon herb marinated chicken with couscous salad and asparagus

 

 

Headshot of Chef Shawn Smith, wearing a white chef coat with the Mazzone Hospitality logo on the left chest.Chef Shawn Smith - Mazzone Hospitality

  • Braised Short rib and whipped Potato Agnolotti Doppio with Celery root puree, Barolo pan sauce, chive oil
  • Autumn Squash Risotto with Local Heirloom Mushroom and Duck Confit Ragu, Garnished Sage Pistou