On the evening of Monday, July 17, the Monroe College Craig Rutman Memorial Scholarship Fund Dinner at the Chelsea Market in Manhattan raised more than $20,000 for a scholarship fund designed to support students in the college’s Culinary Arts Study Abroad program in Italy.

The event, dubbed A Chef’s Legacy to honor the memory of Chef Craig Rutman, Monroe’s first Director of Culinary Arts, was attended by 160 people who enthusiastically feasted on exquisite culinary delights created by some of the New York’s finest chefs.

“We plan to do this each year and this was an excellent first step,” beamed Dean Carol Genese, one of the co-chairs of A Chef’s Legacy. “While people got to sample some incredible culinary creations, the message of supporting students who want to achieve in the Culinary Arts was heard loud and clear.” “Craig was a great guy, one of the most special people I’ve ever known” said Rafael Palomino of Pacifico and Sonora Restaurants, who worked with Chef Rutman 23-years ago. As he served his signature dish of Braised L.I. Duck “Ropa Vieja” with Saffron Aioli, Palomino acknowledged that this was an excellent way of keeping Chef Rutman’s legacy alive.

Along with Chef Palomino and the Culinary and Pastry Arts Classes and Chef Instructors of the Monroe College School of Culinary Arts, other participating chefs were:

• Sarabeth Levine, Marcelo Gonzalez - Sarabeth's Bakery at the Chelsea Market

• Michael Ayoub, Chef – Fornino, Brooklyn, NY

• Jim Botsacos, Executive Chef - Moylvos Restaurant, New York, NY

• Roe Dibona, Owner - Rocking Horse Café, New York, NY

• Brian Macmenamin, Owner - Macmenamin's Grill, New Rochelle, NY