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Kevin Lessing
Peter Lessing

Lessing's

Lessing's is a family owned and operated business that was founded by Maxwell Lessing in 1890.  The Oakdale-based company provides a variety of catering and food services at its 22 LI locations.

Kevin Lessing is director of business development and is responsible for sales and marketing within the entire Lessing's network.  Prior to this position, he was manager at one of Lessing's fine dining establishments, the Maine Maid Inn in Jericho. 

Peter Lessing, CEC, is the company's culinary director and oversees all areas of foodservice for Lessing's restaurants/catering facilities.  He is responsible for menu development, training and staffing for each facility. 

It is in the balance of innovation and tradition that satisfies the client and makes them repeat customers, Peter said.  "Using culinary innovations and translating them to catered affairs is crucial to keeping our edge on the industry," he said.  "Innovations such as roasting in cedar wraps and steaming in Fata paper have allowed us to keep a great flavor profile while providing for lighter fare clients wishes.  Innovations such as Pipettes and Tapas spoons have given us new ways to showcase traditional banquet items."

Peter participates in culinary events throughout the area and writes a monthly culinary column for Great South Bay magazine.  A certified executive chef through the American Culinary Federation, he received the 2006 American Culinary Federation LI Chapter's Chef of the Year Award; and was named to "Who's Who/American Chefs" in 2004 and 2005 and the 2006 Chef Professionalism Award from the American Culinary Federation, LI.

Lessing's provides on and off site catering, onsite food and vending services, as well as food management consulting to leading companies in NYC and LI.

Lessing's catering establishments include The Bourne Mansion in Oakdale; Timber Point Country Club in Great River; West Sayville Country Club in West Sayville; Tallgrass Country Club in Shoreham; Sunken Meadow State Park in King's Park; Smithtown Landing in Smithtown; Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead (one of several vendors); and Coindre Hall in Huntington.

Lessing's also provides services to the following restaurants:  The Riverview Restaurant in Oakdale; The Three Village Inn in Stony Brook; The Maine Maid Inn in Jericho; The Post Office Cafe in Farmingdale; The Bulldog Grill in Amityville; Finnegan's in Huntington; and Maxwell's in Islip.

Lessing's also provides school dining programs for many establishments including Dowling College, St. Joseph's College (Patchogue Campus), St. John the Baptist High School and about eight other elementary schools.

Last year, Lessing's added Maxwell's Bar and Grill, a restaurant located on Main Street in Islip.  It is part of the company's Main Stress concept, which is basically to add one restaurant every year to two years.  The Lessing's also won the 2006 Restaurateurs of the Year by the NYS Restaurant Association, LI Chapter.