Chef moves

Jeff Raider's announcement late last year that he was leaving the elegant and acclaimed Valley restaurant in Garrison left me (and other foodies in the region) wondering where the chef would turn up next. Well, I received an e-mail from Raider this morning with the announcement that he has been appointed the new executive chef at One Restaurant & Raw Bar in Irvington.

Prior to Valley, Raider (a Culinary Institute of America grad) spent four years in New York City at the celebrated Sea Grill Restaurant in Rockefeller Center as chef de cuisine, two years as chef de cuisine of the Seafood Bar at the five star-five diamond Breakers Hotel & Resort in Palm Beach, Florida and also honed his skills at Peacock Alley at the Waldorf=Astoria in Manhattan.

Raider said he'll take over the One kitchen in mid to late March, when he will introduce his seasonally inspired menu in time for spring. One Restaurant & Raw Bar is at 1 Bridge Street in Irvington. 914-591-2233

Diners there will be in for a treat. As executive chef at Valley, Raider saw his food earn an “Excellent” review from the New York Times. And he's more than a great chef -- I've seen him do cooking demos and he has a great rapport with the crowd. He also wrote an excellent article about oysters for the October 2006 issue of Hudson Valley Connoisseur. In fact, this was the same issue of HVC that won Best of Gannett that year. Look for this chef to go far!

PS According to food writer Liz Johnson, One's current executive chef will be moving on to the Ardsley Country Club.