SIDE DISH: Guy Reuge's Milestone... Learn At Lunch...

Chef Guy Reuge plates up a dish in the kitchen at Sandbar on Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor.

Compiled by Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

A Toast to the Chef… Diners at Sandbar (55 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor) can raise a glass and toast Executive Chef Guy Reuge and his 10 years as chef de cuisine at Lessing’s Hospitality Group. Reuge began his cooking career in Orleans, France, and first joined the Lessing’s team in 2009 with the opening of Mirabelle Tavern in Stony Brook. In 2015, Reuge spearheaded the creation and concept of the menu at Sandbar. Reuge’s expertise in the kitchen has been recognized during his time at Lessing’s; he was named a semifinalist for best chef in America by the James Beard Foundation in 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Reuge was invited last February to cook an exclusive land and sea meal at the James Beard House in New York City. Guests who eat dinner at Sandbar between Jan. 15 and Jan. 31 will be able to toast Chef Guy with a free glass of champagne.

Lunch and Learn… The Huntington Historical Society is offering an opportunity to learn some Long Island history over lunch at Macs Steakhouse (12 Gerard St., Huntington). Speaker Cyril Smith will take attendees back in time to 1917 with the story of Camp Mills in Mineola. Camp Mills was constructed as a military instillation for World War I soldiers, and is the birthplace of the 42nd infantry division of the National Guard. The camp was named after Major General Albert Mills and served as the headquarters of the famed “Rainbow Division.” The event will also feature a three-course lunch prepared in the kitchen at Macs. The lunch runs from noon-2 p.m. on Jan. 24. Tickets are available at Huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Panera Donates to Cancer Society… Panera Bread aided in the fight to cure cancer in November when the company donated a portion of the proceeds for stores across Long Island to fund research for better treatments for those fighting blood cancers. For a week a portion of the money from all delivery and rapid pick-up orders at 30 locations on Long Island, including the East Northport, Huntington Station and Huntington village stores, was donated to the society to benefit those diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma. Panera, owned by Doherty Enterprises, presented a $5,206.06 check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The society works to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The check was presented on Dec. 21 at the Panera Bread in Mineola.