Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Recognizes X2O Xaviars on the Hudson With the Prestigious New York State Senate Empire Award

(Yonkers, NY) - Today, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins presented the prestigious NYS Senate Empire Award to Peter Kelly, owner and renowned chef of X2O Xaviars on the Hudson in Yonkers for giving back to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and for his years of charitable work.  The New York State Senate Empire Award recognizes businesses for entrepreneurship, being a leader in their field, giving back to the community, and being philanthropic. This was the first Empire Award presented by the Majority Leader in the 35th Senate District.

“X2O Xaviars on the Hudson has been a philanthropic restaurant and staple in the Yonkers community,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “During this pandemic when things are far from normal, they did not give it pause to help those less fortunate. Renowned chef Peter Kelly and his team cooked up 300 gourmet Thanksgiving meals for home-bound seniors, living in public housing in Yonkers. It's this kind of ‘paying it forward', which seldomly gets the spotlight, but very much deserves it.  I am pleased to present X2O with the Empire Award and let Peter and his team know we appreciate them.”

Kelly, a Yonkers native grew up in public housing and said he never thought twice about giving back during these challenging times. 

"I am truly honored that my X2O Xaviars on the Hudson has been selected to receive the NYS Empire Award. I deeply appreciate Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins for recognizing our Yonkers community and the efforts by so many in this great city. These challenging times should bring out the best in all of us," said X2O Xaviars on the Hudson’s owner Peter Kelly.

The Senate Majority Leader noted X2O Xaviars on the Hudson has been giving back since opening back in 2007, often holding community fundraisers, catering benefits for nonprofits, and helping to revitalize the riverfront. Also in attendance to recognize the restaurant, Senator Shelley Mayer, Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader, and representatives with the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce, Vincenza Restiano and Andrew Smith.

“When the Senate Majority Leader said she was honoring you Peter, I had to be here because you and your staff are really deserving of this acknowledgement,” said Senator Shelley Mayer. “The fact that you are open, have people employed, are trying to make it work, and at the same time are giving back, is a tribute to who you are. Congratulations and thank you to you and your team for your commitment to this community.” 

“When you think about what the Empire Award is and what it symbolizes, you are the perfect example of that, Peter,” said Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader. “In 2007, you saw a vision in this downtown waterfront before all this development. You invested in Yonkers and our youth, hiring locals and making countless donations people may not see. You symbolize what small business is and the entire city of Yonkers and the council stand with you.”

As part of the Majority Leader’s effort to continue highlighting the tremendous work of small businesses, the Senator launched a campaign following Small Business Saturday, for residents to nominate a business they feel has gone above and beyond and is deserving of the New York State Senate Empire Award. To nominate a business in the 35th District, which includes Greenburgh, Scarsdale, and parts of Yonkers, White Plains, and New Rochelle,  please click here.