Rachel Louchen reports from Great Barrington. Crissey Farm was decked out in full holiday decor at the 2015 Culinary Arts Celebration for the Railroad Street Youth Project on Monday, Dec. 8. The event celebrated the completion of a food-based work apprenticeship for the students at RSYP. While guests dined on four courses masterfully prepared by the enthusiastic students overseen by local chefs Brian Alberg, Dan Smith, Daire Rooney, Adam Brassard and Zee Vassos, Executive Director Ananda Timpane spoke to the crowd, addressing the importance of the project. Recent statistics show only one in three young people in America has a caring, involved adult in his or her life to act as a guide toward adulthood. This is where the culinary internship project — as well as other RSYP programs including counseling, advocacy, sexual health education, and jobs and career help — comes in. The young chefs were introduced after the meal and received roaring applause from more than 140 diners. A few spoke about what the culinary program meant to them, and touched upon how they enjoyed interning at The Red Lion Inn, not to mention mastering the proper chopping of an onion. One student has even applied to a culinary college for next year. Above, one of the chefs of the evening, Devon Vandeusen, with Ananda Timpane.
RSYP board member Erik Bruun, singer Georgia Karbelnikoff and her mother, Claudia Laslie, one of the event's supporters.
Kim Obanheim, vice president of ambulatory services for Berkshire Health Systems, with her husband, Jim Obanheim; Sara Wybur and Shannon Miller of CIP Berkshire came out to support some of their students in the RSYP program.
Amillie Coster, who works on communications for RSYP, and Jonathan McFarland, a jobs and careers coordinator; Berkshire Health Systems'Anne McDonald served on the event committee, here with Larry and Kris Hazzard.
Chris Masiero and Dawn Masiero of Guido's donated gifts for the youth chefs.
Supporter, committee and board of directors member Barbara Schulman with new Great Barrington resident Laura Jordahl and Luiza Trabka, YOB and special projects coordinator for RSYP; Author Gina Hyams and her husband, RSYP board member David Barrett.
Bill Cohn, Rita Kasky and Robin McGraw; Sally and Fred Harris, owners of Saint James Place.
RSYP board president Barbara Manring with board member Caren Mercer, artist Kerry Millikin and Barbara Schulman.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
