New York Wine & Culinary Center Names Executive Director

Alexa Gifford has been named executive director of the not-yet-open New York Wine & Culinary Center (NYWCC). She joins the not-for-profit organization after more than five years with the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, most recently as the organization's president. Under the direction of the NYWCC's board of directors, Gifford will manage the Center's operations and lead a staff of full- and part-time personnel.

"The excitement is building for the opening of New York Wine and Culinary Center, and naming an executive director is an important step," said Rob Sands, COO and president of Constellation Brands, and chairman of the NYWCC board. "Three months after breaking ground on the site, it is wonderful to begin to assemble a dedicated team of professionals to lead the Center. The Board is looking forward to working with Alexa and is excited about what she brings to the table in the realm of tourism, community and government relations, as well as her overall enthusiasm about the center."

The New York Wine & Culinary Center, a $7.5 miilion gateway to New York State food, wine and agriculture, will open next summer in Canandaigua, N.Y. Constellation Brands, Inc., Wegmans, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation partnered to establish the not-for-profit organization, which will be housed in the new 19,475 square-foot facility. The Center will provide a positive and measurable impact on the region, with additional job growth in hospitality, agriculture, tourism, wine, food, health and nutrition.

Comments

[weekendwino]

I have heard a lot of generalities about NYWCC being a "gateway for educational agriculture and wine programs", but I really have not heard any details of what is going to be there. Have you heard any specifics? I heard that they were planning on opening by June 2006.

[Lenn]

Actually no...I've not heard many details at all. Still trying to track some down. I'd like to get out there for the opening if I can.

[Jennifer]

Hey Guys, the opening of the NYWCC could be the impetus for a New York food and wine bloggers gathering--what do you think? Depending on the date (I could be in Columbus, OH when it happens) I'd be happy to help pull this together. Wouldn't it be great to meet???

[conie Moffat]

Anything more recent on opening of the NYState Culinary and Wine Center in Canandaigua??

[bibliochef]

Yes -- check out my blog for a quick comment and grand opening information

Bibliochef

[culinary schools]

There are several culinary schools in country which offers wide variety of certified culinary art programs in a reasonable cost. The schools provide all fundamentals of cooking and knife skills, sanitation and safety and baking and pastry skills. Some of the institutes offer specific cuisines in their school but there are also many other schools that provide international cuisines to their students.

http://www.culinaryschoolsprograms.com/