Culinary Cornucopia has repeat champion

COLONIE, NY -- There have been several years when the tightly-judged Culinary Cornucopia was stingy with the gold medals. However, things have perked up recently for the Capital Region's iconic fundraiser.

Jeremy Kane, executive chef of Classé Catering in Albany, won the Grand Award at Sunday’s event, the 19th annual such American Culinary Federation-sanctioned event that benefits Living Resources, an organization that offers programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

Kane won a gold medal and the top award for his duo of veal -- braised cheek and seared loin -- with truffled potato croquette and autumn root vegetables.

Awards are made on a point system covering taste, serving size, kitchen sanitation and other categories. The top medalists in addition to Kane:

Gold: Brian Molino, Marché at 74 State, Albany; Will Brown, Angelo's Tavolo, Scotia.

Silver: Ken Kehn, Angelo’s 677 Prime, Albany; Jason Saunders,  Prime at Saratoga National, Saratoga Springs; Scott Cooper, Capital Region BOCES, Colonie; Rachel Mabb, Hilton Garden Inn, Troy; Ryan Huneau, The Mallozzi Group, Albany/Schenectady; Paul Ozimek, Dale Miller, Albany; Michael Hinrichs, The Inn at Erlowest, Lake George.

Bronze: Marla Ortega, Siver Hills Restaurant at Pinehaven Country Club, Guilderland; Luca Brunelle, Reel Seafood Co., Colonie; Edwin Nazario, Edison Club, Rexford; Kevin Roberts, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Albany; Paul Rother, Olivia’s Smokey Southern BBQ; Carl Anderson, Albany Marriott, Colonie.