Community Club Hosts Executive Chef

Community Club President, Julie Fehler with the Reverend Joseph Pae, Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, and Marye Heston, first vice-president of the club

On Wednesday, October 4 th, The Community Club of Garden City and Hempstead welcomed Steven DeBruyn, executive chef and wine director of the Garden City Hotel, to its first General Program of the 2006-07 season. Chef DeBruyn delighted the group with stories of his childhood in Belgium, his reasons for becoming a chef, and tales of his travels around the world as he worked in many restaurants perfecting his gastronomic skills - all this while preparing a chocolate-banana jam to accompany the scones that would be served at the group's High Tea.

What a scrumptious High Tea it was! The group enjoyed cucumber and egg salad sandwiches, salmon tarts, scones, lemon tarts and chocolate truffles, just to mention a few of the delicacies Chef DeBruyn prepared. Everything was delicious! High Tea was started by an English Duchess as an afternoon gathering for her friends and quickly spread throughout London to become the institution we know today. It was the perfect way for the Community Club to begin its new season.

Steven DeBruyn, executive chef of the Garden City Hotel, center, with Ruth Collins, chairman of General Program and Julie Fehler, Community Club president

Chef DeBruyn has been with the Garden City Hotel since 1994, overseeing all food preparation and wine selection for its award-winning restaurants. In 2004, he was selected as one of the world's finest chefs, receiving the International 5 Star 5 Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Prior to this, he worked in many restaurants in his native Belgium, France and the U.S., and served as Executive Sous Chef for numerous Club Med properties throughout the world.

As chairman of the Jackie Sayegh Duggan Charitable Foundation, an organization that helps underprivileged children, including victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, Chef DeBruyn serves as the event organizer for their annual food and wine event in New York City.

Before the start of the program, Club President Julie Fehler conducted a short business meeting, during which the minutes of the May 2006 meeting were read and the treasurer's report was given. She then called upon the Rev. Joseph Pae, Canon Pastor of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, to give the traditional invocation.

General arrangements were handled by Marge Maher, hospitality by Phylis Dima and Ruth Labosco, and the door by Josephine Krawezyk. Guests were welcomed by Josephine Cotugno, and Grace Murphy created the beautiful decorations adorning the tea table. The group would like to thank these ladies and Ruth Collins and the members of her General Program Committee for helping to make this program such a success.

The next General Program will be held on Wednesday, November 1 st, at 1:30 p.m. at the Garden City Casino, when author Bill Hemp will be discussing "Enclaves of New York."

For further information about The Community Club, its variety of interesting and informative programs, trips and art classes, and how you may become a member, please call their office at (516) 746-0488, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.