LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Chef Zakary Pelaccio upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2016 James Beard Founda-
tion Award for Best Chef Northeast on May 2, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding individuals whose professional lives, personal endeavors and
community service are an example and inspiration to their colleagues,
friends, and family; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Zakary Pelaccio upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Northeast, cele-
brated on Monday, May 2, 2016, in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Ethics, passion and transformation are three words which
define the work of Zakary Pelaccio; he is something more than just a
chef; his ethics and conservation in the use of vegetables and animals
that are locally grown are a model for all chefs and all those who love
good food; and
WHEREAS, Famed for building Brooklyn's first gastro-pub, pioneering
NYC's nose-to-tail culinary movement, urban foraging and bringing Malay-
sian inspired food to the National mainstream, Zakary Pelaccio and his
wife and partner, moved upstate and opened their restaurant, Fish &
Game, in Hudson, New York; and
WHEREAS, Fish & Game is located in a beautifully historic blacksmith
shop, in the heart of New York's Hudson Valley; the award-winning
restaurant celebrates the bounty of the Hudson Valley with a set menu
which changes each week depending on the seasons and the availability of
product from its farmers; and
WHEREAS, Fish & Game's vast wine list has a unique and dedicated focus
on natural wines from around the world and a cocktail menu which focuses
on great classics, as well as seasonally focused libations; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his innovative work as a Chef, Zakary Pelaccio
is the author of the groundbreaking cookbook entitled EAT WITH YOUR
HANDS, which is comprised of Southeast Asian inspired, French and Itali-
an-inflected food which celebrates getting your hands dirty in and out
of the kitchen; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards recog-
nize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their
fields; these awards continue to emphasize the Foundation's mission: to
celebrate, preserve, and nurture America's culinary heritage and diver-
sity; and
WHEREAS, A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge
about food, the late James Beard was a champion of American cuisine; he
helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food
enthusiasts; and
WHEREAS, Today, the James Beard Foundation continues in the spirit of
its namesake by administering a number of diverse programs that include
educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships to culinary
schools, and publications, and by maintaining the historic James Beard
House in New York City's Greenwich Village as a performance space for
visiting chefs; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional service, a
period of constructive involvement, Zakary Pelaccio has stood constant
in dignity, good grace and humor, and has earned the respect and admira-
tion of his colleagues, family and friends; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and

sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Chef Zakary Pelaccio upon the occasion of his designation
as recipient of the 2016 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef
Northeast on May 2, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chef Zakary Pelaccio.