County Executive & Putnam/N. Westchester BOCES Superintendent Host Ribbon Cutting to Officially Open New Tilly Foster Educational Institute

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County Executive & Putnam/N. Westchester BOCES Superintendent Host Ribbon Cutting to Officially Open New Tilly Foster Educational Institute

Event Hosts First Tour of the Test Kitchen and Classroom Environment while Class is in Session

CARMEL, NY – On Tuesday, September 13th, County Executive MaryEllen Odell with Dr. James M. Ryan, District Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer, Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES, announced the official opening of the new Tilly Foster Educational Institute at a ribbon cutting ceremony. Attendees were taken on a tour of the facility’s state of the art test kitchen and classrooms, where they were greeted by BOCES students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program.

“The reopening of Tilly Foster as the County’s first public institute for career education offers a diversity of benefits by putting an under-used county asset to work,” said Odell. “Rental income from BOCES will serve to offset the costs of maintaining and preserving this beautiful historical property and BOCES’ Culinary Arts program, as well as future programs, including environmental science and veterinary science, give our children greater educational and career options right here in Putnam.”

“Everyone is tremendously impressed with all that has been accomplished,” said Cathy Balestrieri, BOCES Tech Center Director. “All of the efforts and hard work put forth by Putnam County in readying the facility for Tech Center students this month was clearly evident. The attention to detail, the marrying of function and aesthetics, were impressive and went beyond expectations. The Tech Center culinary program at Tilly Foster Educational Institute is now in session — in a state of the art facility! Putnam County is to be recognized and congratulated in moving forward this exciting, new collaboration.”

The county anticipates expanded services and educational opportunities at Tilly Foster Educational Institute, such as early intervention pre-k and adult continuing education classes, as well as support from other private partners, including Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Tilly Foster Educational Institute was designed as a destination for tourists and residents of the County.  When BOCES is not in-session, use of the state-of-the-art teaching kitchen and classrooms will be open to our veterans, libraries, schools, seniors and non-profits.  We also hope to kickoff Putnam’s version of Top Chef, which will incorporate our culinary talents, local farms and eating establishments, as well as dovetailing with BOCES internship opportunities for students.

In complement to BOCES’ Culinary Arts program, Tilly’s Table, set to open on April 1, 2017, will offer the Hudson Valley Region a uniquely enjoyable and educational farm-to-table dining experience, utilizing produce sourced from local farms.

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