Art Of Hospitality

Caring for Our Fellow Hospitality Workers

The second part of our Mission is to act as a platform for giving to our fellow Hospitality Workers who need assistance. This assistance includes both emergency funds for legal, immigration, tragedies such as fire or medical. Additionally, we are committed to providing financial assistance to allow for career and personal development. We will be giving out 5 scholarships per year to individuals who will transfer from our Certificate Program to one of our higher education partners, Hudson County Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Both colleges will accept our certificate towards graduation credits.

School and Business Incubator

We have created a well-respected Hospitality School and a Business Incubator that introduces the underemployed and unemployed to entry level positions in Hospitality. This is all reinforced with the inclusion of life skill classes such as Financial Literacy, ESL (English Second Language) and GED offered to all.

EMPOWERMENT

Assist with advancing and empowering hospitality workers careers through life coaching skills. Allow all individuals to develop and grow to their maximum potential

COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS

Our partnership with Hudson County Community College and FDU will allow students to carry credits towards matriculation

EMPLOYMENT PATHWAY

Provide a pathway to employment through Landmark and our partnership with the New Jersey Restaurant Association

REAL WORLD APPLICATION

Offer on the job training, internships and employment through Landmark’s restaurants, event spaces and hotels

Classroom Curriculum

Our eight-week program allows students to gain the requisite skills for positions in hospitality with a focus towards entry-level front of the house and back of the house careers.

JOB PLACEMENT

Our program which was designed and is administered by industry professionals will allow students to possess a skill set which is will be highly sort after. Once students complete our program employment opportunities will be available through Landmark’s talent and culture team as well as through our partnership with NJRA who represents restaurants throughout the State and are always seeking qualified individuals. Our partnership with NJRA will allow for members to have direct access to students as well as incorporating the Association’s Pro Start Program for graduating high school students who plan to go directly into the workforce.

FOOD & UNDERSTANDING

Students will gain an understanding of nutrition, develop healthier eating habits, food sustainability and a history of food and modern cuisine.

COLLEGE CREDITS

Achieve portable and stackable industry-recognized credentials and receive a certificate of completion. Credits are recognized by Farleigh Dickinson University & Hudson County Community College.

INTERNSHIP IN THE INDUSTRY

Training will culminate with a four-week on the job internship, where students will be immersed into the hospitality culture head-on.

INDUSTRY TRAINING

Life Skills, Financial Literacy, and Industry Focused Skill Training.

Frank Cretella

Though I am a seasoned real estate developer, I have many passions that I have been able to pursue through my career. My passion for good food & celebrating life’s joys carry over into the hospitality side of our business, which I co-founded with my wife Jeanne who is now working along with my daughter, Maddy.

Jeanne Cretella

Jeanne Cretella is President and Co-Owner of Landmark Hospitality along with her husband, Frank. Jeanne’s focus is on operations and instilling company culture, which is based on creating memories for both our team and guests; hence all team members are given the title of “memorymakers.” As someone who believes in education as a tool for future success, Jeanne has devoted much of her time to working with schools around the State dedicated to students with Autism. She has successfully spearheaded partnerships between students with a disability and restaurants with the goal of providing these individuals with a real work experience. Jeanne has also helped to open the Marketplace convenient store at Gerard Dynes Regional Day School in Jersey City, allowing these students to learn valuable skills that will help them enter the workforce. In 2016, Jeanne was named “Woman of the Year” by Hudson County Dress for Success; in 2017, she was named one of NJBIZ's "Best 50 Women…

State Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham

On November 6, 2007, Sandra B. Cunningham was elected to the State Senate by the people of the 31st Legislative District, which is comprised of Bayonne and a portion of Jersey City. Senator Sandra Cunningham holds the distinction of becoming the first woman elected to the State House from the 31st Legislative District. Senator Sandra Cunningham is the widow of the late Glenn D. Cunningham, a distinguished statesman who was the Mayor of Jersey City and the State Senator of the 31st Legislative District. For nearly a decade, Sandra and Glenn Cunningham were visible community activists who fought together courageously for their beloved community until his untimely death in 2004. Today, Senator Sandra Cunningham continues the legacy she began with her husband and is a vocal advocate of children and working families. She believes that quality education is the passport to achieving social equity. Furthermore, she believes that working families have a right to affordable health care, a fair…

Amy Degiese- Hudson County Democratic Organization Chairwoman

Amy DeGise's professional experience includes working as a history teacher. She was also elected to be the recording secretary for the Hudson County Area Vocational Technical Association Executive Board and has served as its instructional vice president. DeGise earned her master's degree in educational technology and her bachelor's degree concentrating in history education Montclair State University.

Anthony Bucco

With a well-earned reputation as a stylish, rigorous chef with a strong point of view, Anthony Bucco recently took on his next challenge, this time as chef-partner of Landmark Hospitalities, critically acclaimed Felina Restaurant, in Ridgewood, NJ. The center of the culinary universe for a young Chef Bucco happened to be the modest kitchen & garden at his grandparents’ home in Matawan, NJ. While Anthony went on to a formal culinary education, his love of ingredients, respect for the farmer, and passion for building flavor started at his childhood dinner table. Bucco has a long-established commitment to sourcing locally and sustainably while honoring the sophistication of his guests’ palates. Felina’s menu philosophy: where humble ingredients get ambitious, matches esthetic, advanced technique and a sensitivity to seasonality. It is at Felina that Bucco’s personal heritage and his professional experiences merge to preserve the balance between the refined and rustic. As a…

Kenneth Trickilo

Chef Ken started his career in the kitchen as a high school student. He worked at a country club because he needed a part time job. This is where he fell in love with cooking. When deciding what to do after college he could only think of one thing, going to culinary school, even though his original plan was to be an architect. After obtaining his degree from the Culinary Institute of America, he worked for Chef Michael Colemico at his restaurant in Cape May. He then went on to work with Ed Stone at the Bernard’s Inn and then Panico’s in New Brunswick. In 1999 he obtained a Sous Chef position at Napa Valley Grill, where he eventually trained to be their head chef, who also traveled around the country opening new restaurants for the company. This is where he perfected his “farm to table” technique, using fresh, seasonal and if possible, local ingredients to formulate amazing menus and exquisite cuisine. At Liberty House, Chef uses these same methods to create a dining experience…

Freeholder William O’Dea

Known for a questioning mind and an ability to get things done, William O’Dea was elected freeholder by one vote in a hotly contested election amongst county committee people to fill the unexpired term of Freeholder Henry “Hank” Gallo, who died unexpectedly in September 1997. In November 1998, Freeholder O’Dea roundly defended his seat, obtaining the electorate’s full support, for the remaining one year of the term. Currently, Bill O’Dea is Deputy Executive Director of the Elizabeth Development Company, considered the best- administered Enterprise Zone development company in the country. Freeholder O’Dea is a graduate of St. Peter’s Preparatory in Jersey City, where he won the Silver Medal in Oratory Competition and the Silver Medal in Business Law. Bill graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Science degree from St. John’s University. He won Gold Key Awards as a top student in criminal justice and in political science. He was named to “Who’s Who in…

Eric Weiss-Founder of Service Arts

Eric Weiss stated is culinary career at the age of 17. His consulting company, Service Arts was founded in 1994 and began as a series of service workshops designed for the hospitality industry. The Four Seasons Hotel, American Express, Hilton, Goldman Sachs, American Airlines, Marriott and independent restaurants and hotels have worked with Service Arts throughout the United States. Mr. Weiss has been a featured guest regarding service excellence on the Today Show, Good Morning American and CNN. He has also been features in The New York Times, The London Times and was appointed as the Service Correspondent for Food Arts Magazine in 2013. Over the last several years his expertise has been used by the White House in many areas from wine selections, points of service and suggestions for Chefs. His most recent initiatives have extended across the globe from Russia to Hawaii, from Spain to Puerto Rico and from Florida to California and his impact on businesses was noted to “change the…

Maureen Hulings

Maureen Hulings is a life-long resident of Jersey City and the Chairwoman of the Jersey City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. She has been an active member for the past 25 years always encouraging others to become involved to keep a “Jersey City Tradition” alive and become involved with the Committee’s charitable involvement in Jersey City. Maureen served as Chairwoman of former Jersey City “Mayor Jerramiah Healy’s Charitable Foundation for a Better Jersey City” and is a Trustee of the Hudson County Community College Foundation. Maureen’s commitment and hard work to these organizations is evident in the success of these organizations. Her service to Jersey City does not stop there. Her love of the Jersey City Police & Fire Departments is known by many. She is a Board Member of “The Jersey City Fire Foundation” and currently serves as the Executive Director of the 200 Club of Hudson County which honors Firefighters, Police Officers and EMTs for valorous…

Thomas McAteer

Thomas McAteer was promoted to Chief Operating Officer after being Director of Hospitality since April of 2018. Prior to April, Thomas held the position as General Manager for the Ryland Inn for 3 years. In this position Thomas is charged with working side by side with Jeanne on ensuring Landmark’s culture is constantly reinforced while driving performance and revenue growth. With an impressive 25 years of experience in fine dining, Thomas brings a desire for excellence, passion for service, and love of local ingredients. His management skills show his dedication to the hospitality industry as does his commitment to continually act as a resource to our venue managers and team members.

Paul Dillon- Culinary Dean at Hudson County Community College

Paul began his career in education as faculty at Hudson County Community College in fall of 1984. Presently, he is Associate Dean of Business, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality Management at HCCC. Before making the decision to join the education community, Paul worked for many major corporations in New York. He worked for corporations such as: Longchamps Inc., Host International, the Orange Bowl Corporation, Restaurant Associates, and ISL International. Furthermore, he has been a consulting chef for a myriad of national and international venues for public and corporate clients. His notable clients or venues include: the 1994 World Cup, the 1992 Winter Olympics and several PGA and USGA golf tournaments. During his tenure at HCCC, Paul served as host and executive producer for a cooking show called “Let’s Cook with Paul Dillon”. This show aired for 11 seasons to over 11 million homes on CN8, “The Comcast Network”. Paul was awarded a total of eight Telly Awards for his…

Sandra Bleckman - Vice President of Foundation Development + Relations

Sandra comes to Landmark Hospitality with extensive experience in education and workforce development in the Hospitality industry. Sandra facilitated the Retail Hospitality and Tourism Talent Network grant from the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development for six years. As the Director of the RHT Talent Network, Sandra worked closely with employers in the retail, hospitality & tourism industries to identify skills gaps and align education with industry to prepare a more skilled workforce within New Jersey. The Talent Network built partnerships among employers, educators and workforce development professionals within the industry cluster. She over saw the Talent Development Center of Excellence which created curriculum and built career pathways within the industry. Sandra is excited to oversee the Art of Hospitality Workers Alliance where she can combine her passion for the industry along with her workforce development skills and ability to build curriculum and…

OUR MISSION

OUR COMMITMENT

CURRICULUM

BOARD MEMBERS

OUR PARTNERS