CIA GRAD RETURNS: Cornelius Gallagher, corporate chef for the five restaurants of the Long Island-based Bohlsen Restaurant Group, including Prime: An American Kitchen and Bar, delivered the commencement address at The Culinary Institute of America’s recent graduation ceremonies. A 1994 graduate, Gallagher was named one of the 10 Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine and 10 Most Influential Chefs in New York City by New York magazine during his stint as executive chef at Oceana in Manhattan in 2002. "Know your goal and plan your path to that goal," Gallagher told 58 recipients of associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. "If you want to be a great chef, work for the best chefs in the world." He has lived that advice. While a CIA student, he worked at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and after graduating, worked for renowned chefs David Bouley, Gray Kunz, Laurent Gras, and Daniel Boulud in New York City and for Marc Meneau at the Michelin three-star L'Esperance in France. Gallagher now oversees the kitchens of some of Long Island’s leading restaurants including Prime in Huntington; Tellers Chophouse and Verace in Islip; Beachtree Café in East Islip; and H2O Seafood Grill in Smithtown.

HAPPY CANTER-VERSARY: One of Hunting-ton’s longest continuously operating restaurants, Canterbury Ales (314 New York Ave., Huntington 631-549-4404 canterburyales.com), celebrates its 33rd anniversary by rolling back to 1970s prices on some of its most popular menu items. Through April 15 (Monday through Thursday only) Canterbury Ales owner Billy Hoest offers lunch from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with selections at the the 1970s menu prices; or dinner from 4-11 p.m. with selections at 1980s menu prices. There will also be some draft beer specials to go along with the discounted menus. If a $3.95 burger sounds like a good lunch to you, get thee to Canterbury!

OPEN AGAIN: Contractors were hard at work this week at Foodie favorite Jonathan’s Ristorante (15 Wall St., Huntington 631-549-0055 jonathansristorante.com). Crews were working to restore the damage from a small electrical fire earlier this week. The fire flared up near the cappuccino maker at the end of a busy Easter Sunday, owner Roberto Oronato said. “We smelled smoke and didn’t want to take any chances so we called the fire department immediately. They did a great job. They located the fire and were very careful not to cause too much damage.” Oronato called in the contractors Monday morning and after several days’ work, the restaurant is expected to re-open on Thursday, April 8.

Send news of the food
world to Foodie@LongIslandernews.com

Main Menu