Governor Rendell Honors Allegheny County Chef for Commitment to Excellence

HARRISBURG – Citing his commitment to using locally sourced foods, educating the public, and creating expressive culinary works, Governor Edward G. Rendell today honored Christopher O’Brien, the executive chef at Hyeholde Restaurant in Moon Township, Allegheny County, with the 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Culinary Arts.

O’Brien was presented with the award by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Executive Deputy Secretary Russell Redding as part of the Gettysburg Festival, a 10-day celebration of the arts held in the historic Adams County town.

“Pennsylvania is home to many talented chefs who showcase fresh, local flavors in their cuisine,” said Governor Rendell. “Chef O’Brien is an innovative culinarian, having celebrated these unique local flavors well before the local food movement gained popularity. I applaud Chef O’Brien for his commitment to locally grown products and encourage others to follow his example.”

Since being named executive chef of Hyeholde Restaurant in 1997, O’Brien has appeared on the Food Network’s “The Best Of – Off the Beaten Path” and was runner-up for Pittsburgh Magazine’s “Best New Chef” designation. O’Brien appears regularly on Pittsburgh public television showing viewers how to prepare local foods at home.

O’Brien hosts hands-on cooking classes for community members, including elementary school children, and mentors chefs on the use of local ingredients.

Hyeholde was the first independent restaurant to participate in PA Preferred, a branding program launched by the Governor in 2004 to help market food products that are grown and processed in the state. 

There are more than 4,000 member locations enrolled in PA Preferred, including farmers markets, restaurants, food processors, grocery chains, craft breweries and wineries. 

“From dairy and meat products to fruit and vegetables, Pennsylvania farmers produce a variety of products,” said Redding. “Using these ingredients helps keep money in our local communities and drives our state’s number one industry – agriculture.”

In its second year, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Culinary Arts was conceived and instituted by the Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Culinary Society, an association of chefs, inn keepers, farmers, food producers and food lovers working to develop a distinctive Pennsylvania food style based on the state's agricultural bounty and rooted in its rich food heritage.

For more information about the PA Preferred program, visit www.papreferred.com.

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The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses.  To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.