6th Annual Chefs Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence
Presented by Beginnings Credit Union & Coffee Mania | Hosted by Greek Peak Mountain Resort
An event to benefit the Aid to Victims of Violence program
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 / 6:00 – 8:00 pm
The Lookout at Hope Lake / 2177 Clute Rd, Cortland, NY
Join us to sample delicious and creative dishes from 20-30 local leaders competing for the title of Best Chef! While there, enjoy samples of local brews from Homer Hops and signature wine from Thirsty Owl. Eat, drink, and dance to groovy tunes courtesy of Tribal Revival.
While this unique event raises fun, it also raises funds for Cortland County’s ONLY comprehensive domestic violence program, YWCA Cortland’s Aid to Victims of Violence (AVV). The event, held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlights the incredible work of our AVV staff and the crucial need for their services, such as assisting clients in obtaining orders of protection and accompanying them to the hospital or courtroom. AVV offers both off-site emergency housing as well as permanent supportive housing at Grace Brown House, where women victims of domestic violence and their children reside while they re-establish their lives.
Who will win the purple apron and take home the win? You decide!
Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, August 20! They are available online through Eventbrite ($50 + platform fees/ticket) and in person at the YWCA front desk ($50/ticket). If you would like to avoid processing fees imposed by Eventbrite, please stop by the front desk to purchase tickets.
Grab yours before September 22 to pay a discounted price of $50. After that, the price goes up to $60.
Our 2025 Chefs
Tim Alger
Realtor / Yaman Real Estate & Sales Manager / Gibbons Construction Services
Whipped Ricotta Crostini
Kristopher Balser
Director of Operations / JM Murray
Hickory Smoked Porkbelly Bites
Patrick Clune
Mayor / Village of Homer
Beef Stroganoff
Matthew Diamond
Chef & Owner / Gorgers Cortland
Citrus Pickled Tiger Shrimp with Black Garlic Cherry Cocktail Sauce
Dominick Duncan
Chef / Carver’s Steakhouse @ Greek Peak
Autumn Duck Confit and Squash on Edible Spoon
Mike Eves
General Manager & Co-Owner / X101 Always Classic
Cuban Sliders
David M. Guerrera
Chief of Police / City of Cortland Police Department
Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese
Melissa Keelhar & Lisa Matijas
Investigator & School Socail Worker / SUNY Cortland University Police Department & Homer Central School District
Chocolate Caramel Brownie Trifle
Mindy Lawrence
Publisher / Cortland Standard
Traditional Chili
Lorraine Lopez-Janove
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Title VI Coordinator / SUNY Cortland
Pernil y Arroz con Gandules (Pork with Rice and Pigeon Peas)
Ty Marshal
Executive Director / Center for the Arts of Homer
Gnocchi Pesto Carbonara
Hal McCabe
Deputy County Executive / Broome County Government
Hal’s World Famous Pasta Sauce
Tim Perfetti
Friend of YWCA
Homemade Pasta
Jessica Smith
Aid to Victims of Violence Program Director / YWCA Cortland
Apple Crisp
Scott Steve & Roy Everett
Mayor & Fire Department Captain / City of Cortland
Crown City Greens {a local take on a CNY classic!}
Luke Szabo
Chef & Owner / Scratch Farmhouse Catering
Fall Cannelloni
Tammy Timmerman
Co-Owner / Willowbrook Golf Club & President / Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association
Mini Mudslide Cupcakes
Diane Timmons-Shaffer
Executive Chef / Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
Brisket Nacho Dip
Pumpkin Cheesecake with White Chocolate Macadamia crust
Mary Turturro
Baker / Mary Cakes & Account Support / Bailey Place Insurance
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cheesecake
Our 2025 Wine & Beer Samples
Homer Hops Brewing
Shawn Potts / Co-Owner & Head Brewer
“Apple Sauced” Seasonal Ale
“Exit 12” Pale Ale
Thirsty Owl Wine Company
Holly Doe / Tasting Consultant
White – Chardonnay, Diamond, Pinto Gris, Dry Riesling
Red – Lot 99
Check out the winners of each category HERE!
Thank You, 2025 Chefs Take a Stand Event Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Centralus Health
Christopher Community, Inc.
Cortland Hearing Aids, a member of the Timeless Hearing Network
Dryden Mutual Insurance
Bronze Sponsors
Cortland County Board of Realtors
DuVall Law Offices PC
Kiwanis Club of Cortland
Leach’s Custom Trash Service
Lily’s Rose Hill Farm
Meldrim’s Paint
Seven Valley Dental
Seven Valleys Health Coalition
Law Offices of S. Francis Williams
YWCA Cortland’s 2025 Empower Partners:
YWCA Cortland’s 2025 Persimmon Partners:
