Homeowners Open Kitchens to Help Stock Food Pantry's Cupboards

By Andrew Rudansky

 

Lillian Woudsma is eager to show the distribution center underneath the Old Whalers Church on Union Street, carefully going over each shelf and refrigerator. She looks over the assortment of canned and fresh food with a sense of pride. Woudsma has been the director of the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry for the past four and a half years. Passionate about her work at the SHCFP Woudsma said, “This is a community and it is a home.”

Woudsma, along with 40+ volunteers at the SHCFP, helps feed close to 60 local families every week. Woudsma isn’t one to tout her accomplishes, when asked about her work she modestly said, “I don’t do anything special. I just work – and I love this work.”

Her work now also includes organizing the second annual SHCFP Kitchen Tour. The tour, a brainchild of Regina Humanitzki and Ms. Woudsma, is the latest event set up by the SHCFP to raise money and awareness for the constant need of donations.

The tour starts at 12 noon on May 30, and will feature six kitchens from around the Sag Harbor area. At the kitchens ticketholders will enjoy live music, food, as well as in-depth talks from local builders and designers.

The first stop on the Kitchen Tour is Frank Santoro’s remodeled 19^th century whalers house. This quaint house offers a simple sophistication with its rustic motif. The kitchen contains pine cabinets designed by Bob Wolfram, exposed dishware, and simple country-style decorations. A free-standing hutch was used by Wolfram to design the rest of the cabinets; the entire kitchen expresses this air of continuity.

A few winding steps down out of the kitchen leads to the bucolic terrace complete with dark wooden patio furniture and a stone path. When asked about his decision to offer his house as a stop on the Kitchen Tour Santoro said, “It was my way of being able to help with this great organization.” Don’t miss: the outdoor patio.

For a different experience, Chris and Russ Patrick’s kitchen offers a more modern décor. Built in 1810, the kitchen has all the charm and sophistication of a posh Manhattan loft. A brick fireplace commands the room and is nicely accented by the unusual brown and black checkered pine hardwood floor. Towards the back of the kitchen French doors lead to the outdoor pool and garden. The hanging lights, high ceiling and white paneled walls give the kitchen area an exclusive chic feeling. The entire kitchen has the air of a non-Moroccan Rick's Café Américain — unmistakably hip. Chris Patrick said, “When we entertain no one ever leaves the kitchen.” Don’t miss: the giant central fireplace.

Never has the adage, “a house resembles the people who inhabit it,” been more apparent than the example of Bay Burger owners Lindsay and John Landis. Their undeniably pink kitchen is a warm and inviting splash of creativity that refuses to be ignored. The Landis’ similar gracious and outgoing personalities are as much an attraction as the kitchen itself.

This kitchen boasts an impressive design team that includes John Bjornen, Bob Wolfram, James Greenwell, John Hummel, and Julie Keyes.            

Attached to the kitchen, the affectionately named “Gazebo” contains a subdued island motif with a stunning 180-degree view of Morris Cove. Unique features include mosaic wall patterns, and igneous “lava” rock counter top.

For this kitchen, pink is the name of the game. “Our daughter calls it Aphrodite’s Palace,” said Lindsay Landis with a broad smile. Don’t miss: the pink cutlery.

For a more reserved kitchen look to the modern design found in the house of Lori and Richard Berk. Built and designed by John Woudsma and his son John G. Woudsma, the entire house is an example of elegance in straightforwardness. Simplicity and accessibility reign supreme in this kitchen, where sleek design, and the latest in kitchen appliances, creates an elegant eatery.

The newly remodeled kitchen features cabinets designed by Richard Raffel, black marble countertops, glass tile design, and oak floors. The subdued modern look offers a pallet where these unique design features can really shine.  One of the most alluring features of this kitchen is the counter windows, which allow light onto the windows while adding a significant and memorable design element. Don’t miss: the glass tiles.

Tickets, at $50, are available at the Wharf Shop on Main Street in Sag Harbor, or by phone at 725-7112.