Ric Orlando Bio and Press Information

My wife Liz and I co-owned and operated the legendary New World Home Cooking Company in Woodstock/Saugerties NY from 1993-2018.  We were a beloved community hub and  gathering restaurant for the Hudson Valley. We were also the site of hundreds of wine, beer and spirits dinners, fundraisers, theme dinners ranging from local wild game events to vegan tasting nights,  and of course amazing Holiday meals that became family tradition for hundreds. 

We had a great run of 25 years and have had more than 700 employees work in the business.  Thanks to them all, we have a wonderful legacy to remember.

In 2009,  I contracted with Scott Meyer and Annette Nanes to open New World Bistro Bar in Albany, NY.  I branded the  and worked to create an Urban version of New World Home Cooking with the same community connections, passion and love. I cooked and curated the menu and food events as well and trained,  inspired and oversaw one of the best spots in the Capital Region, for 11 years from 2009-2020.

I have won too many awards to count, including 2 victories on CHOPPED and  I BEAT BOBBY FLAY. 

I am most proud however, of breaking the Reader's Poll! I won BEST CHEF in the Albany Times Union Readers poll so many times in a row, that in fairness to everyone elee, they discontinued the category! I also won a 2021 Chronogrammy for Best Hudson Valley Chef in the 2021 Chronogram reader's poll. 

I  now take people on Experience Sicily, Puglia and Tuscany tours, italian cooking classes,  I do Pop Up events all over the Hudson Valley and Capital Region of New York and , own and operate Ric Orlando's Best - I line of Hot Sauces, BBQ Sauces and Custom Seasonings My personally designed spice mixes are the same recipes that I use in my Restaurant Kitchens . They are now available for  home cooks! I have added Ancient grain pastas, and extra virgin olive oil from Sicily to my store

I appear at fundraisers and events all over the Hudson Valley and Capital Region of NY. 

I also hold cooking classes, pop ups and foodie events all year. 

After closing New World Home Cooking on Woodstock in 2018, I have been table to take on one of my dreams; taking my foodie friends to my favorite food and culture destinations.  The culture is such an important aspect of travel with me. I take you into the real stuff, Bourdain and Zimmern style. We meet makers, cooks and people who go beyond a plate of food to share the passions.  Join me as a host semi annual trips to some of my Favorite foodie and culture destinations. 

A LIFETIME TASTING AND TUNING. 

In my earlier years as a cook, my food was a jam session. There were many successes and just as many duds.  As I evolved from being a cook to a CHEF, I began seriously developing flavors that I could replicate consistently. I fine tuned them so that the cooks on my team could recreate my dishes consistently. without me having to taste every dish, every time. . 

Now my FLAVORS are available so that YOU at home can create my signature flavors and develop some of your own. 

The secret is in the seasoning!

BE BOLD BE ASSERTIVE  BE REAL

The inspiration for my food comes from the bold and assertive FLAVORS of the American Melting Pot. I have spent my adult life eating with neighbors that have passion for their native flavors.

Cook fearlessly and put your flavor first. After all, what we remember most about a dish is the flavor. My FLAVOR MAKER SPICES will help you put FLAVOR first.

HAVE FUN and send me pictures and stories of your creations. I’ll be waiting!