(Lake George, N.Y.) The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival is proud to announce it has received the distinguished Hospitality Through Partnership Award presented to Festival Director Brad Willett, and the festival team. This honor comes from the Hospitality Mental Wellness Initiative USA (HMWIUSA), a national nonprofit organization committed to eradicating the stigma surrounding mental health within the hospitality industry. Not only was this HMWIUSA’s first time providing programming to the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, but its first-ever public appearance at a major food festival. The festival is so grateful the organization joined for the 10th anniversary.
“I am honored to receive the Hospitality Through Partnership Award from HMWIUSA,” said Festival Director Brad Willett. “The hospitality industry is built around taking care of others, but too often, the mental health of the people working within it is overlooked. We were proud to provide HMWIUSA with a platform to bring that conversation directly to our attendees and hospitality community. To have that partnership recognized in this way is incredibly meaningful to our entire festival team.”
HMWIUSA spread its mission under the Taste NY Culinary & Cocktail tent and beyond during the festival weekend through speeches, culinary demonstrations, and its own informational booth. Executive Director Chef Vincent Tropepe so kindly stepped forward to assist with multiple of these demonstrations, showcasing dishes including Zucchini Bread, Bread Pudding, and Oyster Po’ Boys alongside Ralph Viggiano of the Long Island Shucking Truck.
“[The] weekend demonstrated what can happen when organizations come together with a shared purpose,” said Vincent Tropepe, Executive Director of HMWIUSA. “Our first appearance at a food festival was made possible through the confidence and generosity of Brad Willett and the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival team.”
The honor was presented in front of an audience over the festival weekend. Tropepe, addressing the crowd, said, “the Hospitality Through Partnership Award is a distinguished national honor recognizing exceptional individuals, organizations, and companies that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to advancing mental wellness in the hospitality industry through meaningful collaborations. This award celebrates shows who understand the lasting change that is built through strong strategic partnerships that bridge gaps between businesses, communities, and activist groups.”
Festival Owner, Sasha Pardy, accepted the award on behalf of the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, thanking her team and HMWIUSA while also discussing all the work that goes into making the weekend successful.
“People often underestimate the stress that working in a busy restaurant entails – you are constantly working your hardest to satisfy the needs of others, often leaving your own behind,” said Sasha Pardy, Festival Owner. “We do it because we love it, but we recognize that mental health in the hospitality industry deserves more attention and I am proud that we helped to spread this awareness at the festival.”
Alongside this honor, HMWIUSA also presented its first National Culinary Community Concerns Awards to Fizz MSM, 1911 Established, & The Long Island Shucking Truck for their dedication to community engagement and support of the mission. Tropepe spoke to the Taste NY Culinary & Cocktail Tent audience, telling them these organizations are strong and focused.
Tropepe added that the “National Culinary Community Concerns Award recognizes an individual or organization within the hospitality industry that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting the wellbeing, mental health, and overall welfare of hospitality professionals. This award honors those that actively address challenges facing the culinary community through advocacy, education, mentorship, resource development, workplace culture, and community outreach.”
The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival extends its thanks to HMWIUSA and everyone who helped to make the festival weekend such a success.
