Goodfella’s Caters Presidential Yacht

With over 250 government and business representatives from New York and Washington DC, as well as residents of Lower Manhattan and Sept. 11 family members benefited from the generosity of Goodfella’s Restaurant, Dongan Hills, during a VIP cruise on the Potomac River aboard the U.S.S Sequoia, the Presidential Yacht.
Staten Island’s original Goodfella’s on Hylan Boulevard was asked to prepare and serve the meal as part of a fund-raiser sponsored by September’s Mission, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring those whose lives were lost on Sept. 11.

When the original caterer became unavailable just days before the fund-raiser in the nation’s capital, Monica Iken the organization’s founder, contacted Goodfella’s, giving the Staten Island restaurant the opportunity to contribute in its own way to the September’s Mission cause.

Without missing a beat, Goodfella’s stepped right up offering their catering service free of charge.

“They said, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll take care of everything,’ and they did,” said Ms. Iken. Chef Salvatore Russo, Goodfella’s co-founder E. Jay Myers, general manager Andrew Scudera, manager Cenk Elbasan and server John Scudera volunteered their time, working around the clock to produce a full menu.   “I couldn’t have done it without my staff,” said Myers. “The guys were great.”

Ms. Iken became acquainted with the restaurant through the N.Y. Detoxification Project for Rescue Workers and Firefighters and a fund-raiser previously catered by the eatery.
Impressed with the service, Ms. Iken saved a menu, hoping to work with the staff sometime in the future.
“I have nothing but the best to say about them. They came to my rescue a week and a half before the event and put everything together so fast. They were unbelievable; the work they put in – I will be forever in debt,” she said

Passengers aboard the yacht were surprised that Staten Islanders had traveled all the way form New York to help raise money for the cause.
“We’re from New York. Isn’t this about New York?” said Chef Russo.

The benefit gave participants a change to meet and discuss the goals of September’s Mission and the future of the World Trade Center site.
“It was the right thing to do business-wise because we wouldn’t be where we are without our customers,” said Myers, adding, “It is important to give back to the people. We are fortunate enough to have a successful business, and we want to make a difference.”

With nine days, five passionate cooks, two kitchens, and an assortment of dishes to prepare, the crew made its journey to Washington D.C. in several private  vehicles.
With limited cooking facilities, preparing the meal was a definite challenge. “We only had a couple of portable ovens and sternos to work with,” recalled Russo.
Luckily they arrived with their own supply of food.
“The food was phenomenal. The families were very impressed,” said Ms. Iken.  Ensconced in their makeshift kitchen, the Goodfella’s staff set to work,

preparing several traditional favorites along with a few specialty items. The menu featured Lobster Ravioli in Vodka Sauce, Goodfella’s version of Lasagna, Tri-colored Tortellini, Rigatoni alla Vodka Sauce, Chicken Francese and Pasta Russo, the chef’s own signature dish.
The evening began with a dockside cocktail reception, labeled “Past, Present, and Future,” and an inaugural “Angel Award” presentation, honoring New York State Governor George E. Pataki. The highlight of the evening was “A Historic Voyage,” the Vip cruise aboard the Presidential Yacht, with dinner catered by Goodfella’s.
The experience brought with it several rewards, according to Myers. “it was a good thing for us, a good thing for Staten Island and a good thing for September’s Mission,” he said.