Leading Hudson Valley Chef Recognized For Greatness-

Warwick, New York - One of the Hudson Valley's leading Chefs, James Haurey of the critically acclaimed Crystal Inn in Warwick, is selected to be showcased in the prestigious Great Regional Chefs of America event. The event produced by The James Beard Foundation, will take place at the storied, James Beard House in Manhattan on Monday, November 6th. Chef Haurey will be preparing a special menu indicative of the culinary gift that has yielded him and the Crystal Inn extensive recent attention.

Ryan Zygmunt, general manager of the Crystal Inn was pleased to learn of Chef Haurey's selection although he was not surprised. "Chef Haurey is the most talented Chef the Crystal has ever employed, and after forty years in business that says a lot," says Zygmunt. Haurey helped redefine and re-energize the Crystal Inn as a landmark culinary destination in its fourth decade and was chosen for his extensive knowledge of Hudson Valley agriculture. Haurey, who lives a stone's throw from the Crystal Inn in the heart of the Black Dirt agricultural region, spends daytimes working with his long-time companion on her organic farm. In the evenings, Chef Haurey prepares the Crystal's eclectic contemporary American menu, often using local ingredients he harvested earlier in the day.

"The Hudson Valley is experiencing a culinary and epicurean renaissance," says Haurey, referring to the burgeoning agri-tourism industry blossoming in the exurbs north and west of New York City. Zygmunt notes that the Culinary Institute of America, the Black Dirt produce region, artisan bakeries, dairies, the Shawangunk Wine Trail and fruit orchards are increasingly attracting food lovers to the Hudson Valley. "Foodies around the tri-state area have begun to appreciate what we have known for years," says Zygmunt adding, "Cuisine designed around the finest, freshest locally produced ingredients have advantages in flavor, freshness and quality." A completely new generation of diners is discovering places like the Crystal Inn offering this field-to-table experience.

About Chef James Haurey - Executive Chef of Warwick's Crystal Inn, Haurey brings a breadth of culinary experience and intimate knowledge of food production to his work. A Johnson and Wales University graduate, Mr. Haurey developed a reputation for eclectic, contemporary variations on classic culinary themes. Prior to his current position, Haurey worked as Chef at the Ryland Inn under Executive Chef Craig Shelton whom Haurey credits with providing the basis for his own training. The Ryland Inn, in White House, NJ is rated one of the top 15 restaurants in the country. Haurey also did stints at the Stage House Inn (Scotch Plains, NJ), The Armory (South Amboy, NJ), and the Grand Summit Hotel. More recently, Chef Haurey was Chef De Cuisine at The Dining Room in the Short Hills Hilton where he was awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award for four consecutive years. While at the Dining Room, Haurey was also awarded the regarded DIRONA Award and captured an "Excellent" rating from the New York Times.

About the Crystal Inn - Established in February 1965, the Crystal Inn, long a favorite of locals, has begun to attract the diners from around the tri-state area. A Hudson Valley landmark, Crystal Inn has strong ties to agricultural producers throughout the region. General Manager and third-generation owner Ryan Zygmunt, began a program of updating the menu in 2000 increasing upscale offerings and incorporating a modern outlook on Contemporary American cuisine. Punctuating that campaign in September 2004, the Crystal Inn brought on board renowned chef James Haurey. Haurey undertook a major menu redesign, which garnered a '4 Star' Rating from the Times Herald-Record. The Crystal Inn offers dinners and by advance reservation, special tasting menus. These multi-course tasting events feature petite por