Chefs & Restaurants
2020 Signature Chefs
Headliners for the Grand Gala Reception & Dinner and participating in the Grand Tasting, these Chefs have had an iconic presence in the Capital Region, maintaining the highest standards of culinary excellence in their restaurants. They have all committed to the community with participation in hundreds of charitable events between them.


AJ Jayapal
[icon name=”link”] Swifty’s / Miss Sydney’s

Brian Molino
[icon name=”link”] Mazzone Hospitality

Matt Joyce
[icon name=”link”] Prime at the Plaza / Mazzone Hospitality

Michael Hinrichs
[icon name=”link”] Albany Capital Center / Mazzone Hospitality

Ric Orlando
[icon name=”link”] New World Bistro Bar

Michael Mastrantuono
[icon name=”link”] 15 Church

Jaime Ortiz
[icon name=”link”] Angelo’s 677 Prime

Jim Rua
[icon name=”link”] Café Capriccio

Courtney Withey
[icon name=”link”] Schenectady County Community College

Yono Purnomo
[icon name=”link”] Yono’s / dp an American Brasserie

Mark D. Graham
[icon name=”link”] David Burke’s Salt & Char
2020 Rising Star Chef Winners
Congratulations to our Rising Star Chefs!
Rising Star Chefs Must Meet Any 2 Of The Following Criteria:
- Chef/Owner of a Restaurant that is under 2 years in operation
- Chef that is using innovative techniques (i.e molecular gastronomy) in food production
- First Time Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef
- Chef has demonstrated a commitment to community service
- Chef that demonstrates originality & creativity in menu design
- Chefs that promote and utilize local produce and ingredients whenever possible


Raymond Galka,
Chef de Partie
[icon name=”link”] Provence

Hector Aquino,
Executive Sous Chef
[icon name=”link”] Grano

Colin Miner,
Chef de Cuisine
[icon name=”link”] Park 26

Harley Bleitzhofer,
Executive Chef
[icon name=”link”] The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

Seth Corey,
Owner
[icon name=”link”] SALT: American Bistro & Wine Bar

Kevin Myers,
Chef / Owner
[icon name=”link”] Ribbon Cafe

James Hughes,
Sous Chef
[icon name=”link”] The Adelphi Hotel
Click here to view past winners.
Participating Restaurants & Featured Chefs
2020 Featured Chefs & Restaurants
70 Capital Region Chefs will be featured throughout the Festival in the Friday & Saturday Grand Tastings and Seminars. These Chefs are an excellent representation of the best of the Capital Region culinary scene. We are thrilled to present to you such a diverse and talented offering of Featured Chefs & Restaurants for the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival.

Signature Chefs
Michael Hinrichs
Albany Capital Center / Mazzone Hospitality
Mark D. Graham
David Burke’s Salt & Char
Michael Mastrantuono
15 Church
Jaime Ortiz
Angelo’s 677 Prime
Jim Rua
Café Capriccio
Brian Molino
Mazzone Hospitality
Ric Orlando
New World Bistro Bar
Matt Joyce
Prime at the Plaza / Mazzone Hospitality
Courtney Withey
Schenectady County Community College
AJ Jayapal
Miss Sydney’s / Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub
Yono Purnomo
Yono’s / dp an American Brasserie
Rising Stars
Hector Aquino
Grano
Harley Bleitzhofer
The Hollow Bar + Kitchen
Colin Miner
Park 26
Raymond Galka
Provence
Kevin Myers
Ribbon Cafe
Seth Corey
SALT: American Bistro & Wine Bar
James Hughes
The Wine Bar
Slider Slam
John LaPosta
Innovo Kitchen
AJ Jayapal
Miss Sydney’s / Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub
Dan Gordon
Nicole’s Restaurant
Colin Miner
Park 26
Ken Kehn
Prime Burger
Seth Corey
SALT: American Bistro & Wine Bar
Tim Taney
Slidin’ Dirty
Evan Shults
The Bishop
Dimitrios Menagias
The City Beer Hall
Matt Barton
The Diamond Club
Helen McIntosh
Wolff’s Biergarten
Battle of the Bartenders: Manhattan Competition
Olivia Savas
677 Prime
Tim Everhardt
Morrissey’s Lounge
Renee Matthews
New World Bistro Bar
Logan Hoffis
Nicole’s Restaurant
James Humphreys
Park 26 at the Queensbury Hotel
Jesse Lamere
Provence
Trudy Stier
Savoy Taproom
Javier Romero
Wellington’s
Battle of the Bartenders: Bloody Mary Competition
AJ Jayapal
Miss Sydney’s / Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub
Logan Hoffis
Nicole’s Restaurant
James Humphreys
Park 26 at the Queensbury Hotel
Jessica Pinto
Pinto & Hobbs Tavern
Angus Van Beusichem
The People’s Pub
Pat Taney
Slidin’ Dirty
Andrew Barrett
Wellington’s
Featured Restaurants
…check back soon for more…
Alex Pineau | 110 Grill
Jaime Ortiz | Angelo’s 677 Prime
Lisa Valentine | Abrookin CTE
Ian O’Leary | C.H. Evans Brewing Co. at The Albany Pump Station
Robert Haggerty | Capitol Melts
AJ Jayapal | Miss Sydney’s / Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub
Ric Orlando | New World Bistro Bar
Dan Gordon | Nicole’s Restaurant
Melissa Gleason | Nothing Bundt Cakes
Park 26 at the Queensbury Hotel
Anna Louisa Weisheit | Public House 42
Franco Frustaci | Radici
Joe Braoudakis | Roux
The Point Restaurant and Lounge BMT
Joseph Schulte | Toro Cantina
Ariel Robinson | Umana Restaurant & Wine Bar
Craig Wander | We Do Fondue
Andrew Barrett | Wellington’s
Dan Raymond | Zachary’s Pastry Shoppe
Empire Merchants North is the exclusive wine and spirots sponsor of the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival. Please drink responsibly.