Putnam County DOH Hosts Tenth Annual Food Operator’s Seminar
Putnam County DOH Hosts Tenth Annual Food Operator’s Seminar
Brewster, NY—More than 150 food establishments were represented at this year’s Food Operator’s Seminar, conducted by the Putnam County Department of Health (PCDOH). The tenth annual event, held on Monday, March 14, and repeated on Tuesday, March 15, convened chefs, caterers, owners and operators of Putnam County’s restaurants, delicatessens, food shops and institutional food services, to honor their achievements and learn about trends and topics in the food industry.
Award winners included Mercurio Mazzotta of Volare Restaurant & Pizzeria, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award for 39 years of operational excellence. Eight Commissioner’s Gold Awards for operational excellence, the department’s highest and most stringent honor, were distributed to Frangelina’s Deli and Café, Watchtower Educational Center, along with the Brewster Central School District’s JFK Elementary School, Henry H. Wells Middle School and Brewster High School, and the Carmel Central School District’s George Fischer Middle School, Matthew Paterson Elementary School and Kent Primary School. Commendation Awards for distinguished performance went to A Country Kitchen, Brewster Pastry, Four Brothers Restaurant and Pizza and George’s Place. Food Safety Partnership Awards were presented to Aramark Food Service which operates the cafeteria at Mahopac High School, Zoup and Holy Smoke BBQ.
Back by popular demand were two breakout sessions: one on social media, another on special dietary options such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and other food allergy-related requests. A third breakout option covered first aid and CPR for food service workers. New hot topics this year included “Taking Your Food to the Streets!” a guide to food service at fairs, festivals and events, and an all-time favorite, pest management in food establishments.
The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealth and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.
Robert Campisi of Aramark Food Service at Mahopac High School, center, received a Food Safety Partnership Award, with Putnam County’s Rick Carano, public health supervisor, left, and Shawn Rogan, public health sanitarian. Representatives from Zoup in Carmel, and Holy Smoke BBQ in Mahopac are not pictured.
Interim Health Commissioner Michael Nesheiwat, MD, far right, and Putnam County’s Environmental Health Director Robert Morris, far left, with Lisa Seymour, public health sanitarian, left and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Mercurio Mazzotta of Volare Restaurant and Pizzeria, with his wife Rose and son Alex.
Interim Health Commissioner Michael Nesheiwat, MD, far right, and Putnam County’s Environmental Health Director Robert Morris, far left, with award-winning chefs and food managers, from left: Joseph Oria, Four Brothers Restaurant and Pizza; Frank Soccodato, Frangelina’s Deli & Café; Thierry Danvin, Brewster Pastry; Mercurio Mazzotta, Volare Restaurant and Pizzeria; Cathy Ashe, Brewster Central School District; Patrick Rodia, Carmel Central School School; Christine McNeill, A Country Kitchen; Gus Pourakis, George’s Place. The Watchtower representative is not pictured.
Robert Cuomo, emergency medical services director, discussed and demonstrated CPR for the audience of food service operators.
