PRESS RELEASE 

January 14, 2004

The Red Barn Restaurant on Route 9H in Ghent

Is pleased to announce that two of their employees who will be graduating from local high schools this June have been accepted to prestigious culinary schools.

Eric Hallenbeck, a senior at Icahabod Crane High School has  been accepted to Johnson and Wales University, in Providence, Rhode Island.  Johnson & Wales University is known for it’s business, hospitality, culinary arts, and technology programs.

Sean O’Flaherty, a senior at The Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, has been accepted to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, a premier culinary school for more than 55 years.  

“Both of these young men began working with us in 2001, with very little knowledge or hands-on experience  about food and food preparation techniques,” Chef Bert Goldfinger said.  “Over time, they have demonstrated a great willingness to learn about all aspects of producing, plating and serving well seasoned and delicious food. I am very excited about the culinary skills that Sean and Eric have gained while working at The Red Barn. We will be sorry to lose them but are thrilled that they will be continuing their culinary education at such fine institutions.” Chef Goldfinger said.

Chef Goldfiner received an advanced  degree from the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan and was mentored after graduation by Chef Charlie Palmer of Aureole and Chefs Jacques Torres and Sottha Kuhn  formerly of Le Cirque 2000. Chef Goldfinger and the Red Barn will continue to look for local young people to mentor in the culinary arts field.