Cortlandt Colonial Chef Recognized for Community Service

“I’m not the kind of person who looks to be the center of attention,” said Evan Liaskos, owner, Executive Chef and Director of Operations at the Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant.

Unfortunately for Liaskos, that’s exactly what he’s been receiving lately.     

This year, Liaskos was named restaurateur of the year by the Cortlandt Manor Rotary club. Liaskos nabbed this honor not for his beloved cooking or special events, but for the service he does for his community.

“Of all the things I do, it’s the things that I don’t do for attention that seem to get me the most recognition,” Liaskos said.

Looking at Liaskos’ plate, it’s a surprise he has time to give back.

When he started at the Cortlandt Colonial, Evan Liaskos was just ten-and-a-half years old, working as a busboy. He soon worked his way up to a bar back, then to waiter then to bartender. After taking some time off to explore other parts of the country, as well as graduate from the esteemed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, Liaskos returned to his father’s restaurant in 2001 and took over.

On a regular business day, Liaskos does everything from overseeing the menu, to directing the kitchen staff, booking and planning the private events, maintenance, staff relations, and keeping the menu fresh.

To keep offerings interesting, Liaskos has implemented monthly rotational menus. While a large part of the menu remains the same year round, special themed items are different with each month. For example, the July and August menus are Lobster Fest, and include a lobster appetizer, entre and dessert item (think such as lobster garlic bread, island style rum cake and lobster tracks ice cream).

Despite being in charge, Liaskos affirms though that it’s not “a one man show.” Along with the rest of staff, Liaskos’ father, mother and sister all still work at the restaurant. He is proud to be one of the few remaining family run businesses around.

In addition to the bustling restaurant side of things, two-thirds of the Cortlandt Colonial’s business comes from special events like weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, anniversaries and corporate events.

“I have a love for special events, that’s my heart,” Liaskos said. “I really adore customizing an individual event for a client, it’s never the same thing twice.”

Yet with this entire production going on, Liaskos is often found holding charitable events at the restaurant.

“We host a lot of events that we don’t make any money on, and I’m okay with that—[it’s] our way of giving back,” said Liaskos. “I’m against just giving a check, I feel like the money just disappears. But when you feed someone, they’ll remember that. People remember food.”

Last year, on Easter, Liaskos brought in all of the families whose homes burned down in the Lakeview apartments in Peekskill. Dinner, drinks and tip were on the house.

“If you give someone a fresh, hot meal, you could make their whole week,” Liaskos said. “Food is the most ancient form of hospitality.”

Liaskos may not be completely comfortable with all of the newfound attention he is receiving, but he is taking the honor of being named Restaurateur of the Year in stride, and as a way to shed light on the importance of charity. 

“I looked at winning as an opportunity to be an inspiration to others to also give back to the community how you can,” he said.