WIDJIONO (YONO) PURNOMO CEC, CFBE

DOMINICK H V PURNOMO

Dominick Purnomo, Wine Director & Co Owner of Yono’s & dp An American Brasserie, grew up in his family’s restaurant working alongside his parents at an early age before going on to State University of New York at Morrisville to pursue a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management.

Upon finishing Morrisville in 2000, Purnomo came back to Albany to work in the family business and took over the day to day operations. It was then that he discovered a true passion for wine. After having dined in some of the worlds finest restaurants such as Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago and Lespinasse in New York, Purnomo wanted to bring a world class wine program to Albany, more specifically to Yono’s.

In 2005 Purnomo was elected to his first of two, two year terms as the President of the Greater Capital District of the New York State Restaurant Association, the youngest President in the history of the state organization.

Dominick was a national finalist for the Best Young Sommelier Competition, has been nominated for a James Beard Award for his wine program on 3 occasions.  His wine list has been praised by Wine Spectator since 2004 as a Best of Award of Excellence winner and has recently been named one of the 300 greatest wine lists in the world, receiving the 3 star award from The World of Fine Wine. Under his direction, Yono’s was named one of the Top 100 restaurants in America by OpenTable for two consecutive years.  Dominick was generously recognized for his leadership and business achievements as a 40 Under 40 by the Albany Business Journal and for his sartorial efforts as one of the #BestDressedSomms by GQ Magazine.  He was just the 30^th member inducted into Shaker High School, his alma mater’s, Hall of Fame.

Mr Purnomo has presented at the Desmond American Wine Festival, Albany Wine & Dine for the Arts, Nantucket Wine Festival, Martha’s Vineyard Wine Festival and the Finger Lakes Wine Festival.  He lectured to a group of trade professionals and students at the prestigious 94^th annual Hotel Ezra Cornell at Cornell University’s renowned Hotel School.  He has served on the esteemed wine teams for the James Beard House, Burdigala, Reboule de Rhône, Nantucket Wine Festival, The Jacques Pepin Foundation, La Tablée & Wine on Wheels alongside the most accomplished sommeliers in America.

He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the New York State Restaurant Association, The New York Wine & Grape Foundation and The Palace Performing Arts Center, is a member of the Society of Fellows at the Culinary Institute of America, the American Sommelier Association, the Chevalier du Tastevin, a founding board member of the Albany Food & Wine Festival, the founder of the Sommelier Society of Albany.

In March of 2020 amid the COVID19 global pandemic, Dominick Co founded FEEDALBANY which provides meals for those who are in need and at risk in the community, especially those who work in hospitality.

Dominick H. Purnomo

Wine Director/ Owner

Yono’s Restaurant/ dp An American Brasserie

25 Chapel Street

Albany, New York 12210

518/436.7747, 518/436.3737

purnomohospitality.com

dp@yonos.com

DONNA J. PURNOMO

Donna Purnomo is co-owner of the Capital Region’s critically acclaimed “Yono’s” restaurant and the new dp An American Brasserie in downtown Albany. A native of Amsterdam, NY, Donna is a graduate of Long Island University with degrees in Education, Music and Theater.

Though music and theater were Donna’s area of study she switched gears and jumped into the hospitality industry to fill the “business head” gap that was created when she and husband Yono began their own restaurant. More than twenty years of experience in the industry have turned her into a serial multi-tasker, and though Donna’s primary responsibility is to handle all of the financial and administrative matters of Wine and Dine Group LLC she is also the pastry chef and it is not unusual for Donna to book all events and private functions and more often than not to execute them as well.

Donna is active in many charities, foundations and advisory boards including Albany Medical Center Foundation, SUNY Cobleskill and the FBI Citizens Academy.

Donna is a past President of the New York State Restaurant Association and has twice received the Restaurateur of the Year Award and is a recipient of the Community Service Award from the Capital District Chapter of The New York State Restaurant Association. She is the first recipient of the Toque Award from two Chapters of the American Culinary Federation, is a past Woman of the Year and a recipient of The Governor’s Award for Excellence.

Donna’s creative outlets include writing and singing. She has had several articles published in trade magazines, authored and edited cookbooks and is vocalist for the group “Hamilton Street”.

WIDJIONO (YONO) PURNOMO CEC, CFBE

In 1971 flamboyant Chef Widjiono (Yono) Purnomo, a native of Jakarta, Indonesia and graduate of APN Academy Perhotelan Negara, Bandung, Indonesia, embarked on a circuitous career journey in the splendid dining rooms aboard the unparalleled SS Rotterdam, flagship of the Holland America Cruise Lines. Yono met his wife and partner, Donna a passenger on the SS Rotterdam in 1976. They carried on a fairy-tale, shipboard romance, married and settled in Albany, NY where Yono quickly found work in Albany’s most elegant dining rooms. When the opportunity to open his own restaurant came along, Certified Executive Chef Yono “jumped ship” from the dining room to the kitchen and has never looked back.

Chef Purnomo has expertly mastered the unique blending of exotic spices, soothing coconut milk, lemongrass, lime leaves and dragon-mouthed sambal, creating a unique, sophisticated, complex and layered cuisine. Yono has learned from the industries’ best and credits Certified Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt, culinary Dean of the Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, NY for instilling within him the credo “To cook with your head, your heart and your hands” and to always willingly share your expertise.

Chef Purnomo has represented New York State in the American Seafood Challenge, a prestigious national competition held in New Orleans. He was selected as a member of the National Chefs Touring Program for the two year long Indonesian Festival, co-sponsored by Indonesian and American Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development and Travel and Tourism Departments. Chef Purnomo has been featured on the Today Show, and the TVFood Network and has presented his cuisine to sold out audiences at Manhattan’s famed James Beard House three times. Yono’s menu has been replicated for 7,000 of Cornell University’s students and faculty through their Cross Country Gourmet program. Chef Purnomo has won numerous “Best of Show” awards as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold medals through both National and International competitions.  Chef Purnomo has represented the United States both individually and as captain of a three member USA team in the British Open Cookery Championship. Chef Purnomo, team manager, led the seven member New York State Culinary Team, Albany! to London for Hotelympia  “La Parade des Chefs”, where the team garnered yet another international medal. Yono was featured as one of 28 guest chefs at the Eighth Annual James Beard Awards reception “Flavors of the Far East”, an Asian extravaganza for 1200 discerning guests.

Chef Purnomo strives to introduce his native culture as well as cuisine through cooking classes, demonstrations and lectures for schools, civic organizations, charities, as well as for fellow chefs. He is affiliated with more than 75 charitable and community service organizations.

Chef Purnomo is married to Donna, Co-owner of Yono’s Restaurant. They have two children: Dominick, 29 years old who now works with Yono and Donna in the business, and Alexondra, 27 years old, a teacher in Manhattan.

Career Highlights, Honors & Awards:

2010
Presents Inaugural Albany Food and Wine Festival which garners a $37,000 donation to Albany’s Capital Repertory Theatre

2009
Guest Chef at the Forge for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Hosts Batik Collection Celebration of First Lady of Indonesia and Ann Dunham, Mother of President Obama.
Wine Spectator “Best of” Award of Excellence
Presented Gala Dinner for the Confrerie de La Chaine des Rotisseurs

2008
6 Week Culinary Tour of Dubai and Indonesia
Founded a Scholarship program for NHI Hospitality School in Bandung, Indonesia
Wine Spectator “Best of” Award of Excellence

2007
Guest Chef Indonesian Consulate to cook for President of Indonesia and UN Dignitaries
Four Star Review, Metroland
Inducted into Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA)
Wine Spectator “Best of” Award of Excellence

2006
Featured in “New Asian Cuisine” Fabulous Recipes from Celebrity Chefs
Four Star Review, Albany Times Union
American Culinary Federation Achievement of Excellence in Fine Dining

2005
Featured in “Glorious Food” Cookbook,
International Association of Culinary Professionals
Guest panelist Asian Expo Javits Center, NYC
Guest Lecturer NHI International Hotel School, Bandung, Indonesia

2004
Seminar and Lecture for Minister of Tourism
Indonesian Consulate, Chicago Illinois
Best of Award of Excellence, Wine Spectator
Enlisted by Cappiello Dairy to develop fusion recipes for consumers in the Asian market.

2003
Culinary Demonstration, Flavors of Indonesia for the American Culinary Federation
NE Regional Conference Philadelphia, PA
Lecture and Demonstration in Bandung, Indonesia at APN Hotel School for the AKBAR Reunion
Served on the panel of judges in Jakarta, Indonesia for Inner-Circle Wine Society of Indonesia
Four Star Review from Albany Times Union
Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”
Sante Magazine Fine Dining Award
Presented Gala Holiday Dinner for the Confrerie de La Chaine des Rotisseurs

2002
Mentored Chef’s from the USS Albany, Nuclear Submarine
Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”

2001
Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence”
Sante Magazine Award “Cooking for Wine in the Mid- Atlantic States”
Guest Chef at the James Beard House

2000
Team Manager and Captain of NYS Culinary Team USA,
Hotelympia, Bronze Medal Master Chefs Grand Prix
Adds Studio 64 Nightclub to list of establishments

1999
Sante Magazine Award “Cooking for Wine in the Mid-Atlantic States”
Relocates Yono’s Restaurant to Armory Center
Initiates “Special Events by Yono’s”

1998
Guest Chef at the Eighth Annual James Beard Awards Reception
International Bronze Medal (Team) Hotelympia ’98, London, England
Team Manager/Captain, New York State Culinary Team, Albany!
Guest Chef James Beard “Chefs and Champagne”
Opens Bumpers Café, Automotive Theme Restaurant in Armory Center,
a 65,000 Sq Ft Entertainment Complex

1997
Gold Medal, American Culinary Federation
Culinary Cornucopia Grand Award (Best of Show), American Culinary Federation
International Bronze Medal (Individual), British Open Cookery Championship
Team Captain and Founder, New York State Culinary Team, Albany!
Inaugural Community Service Award, New York State Restaurant Assn./Capital District.

1996
President – American Culinary Federation, Capital District/Central New York Chapter
National Grand Prize Winner, La Parade des Chefs, Javits Center, NYC
Silver Medal, American Culinary Federation

1995
Chef of the Year – ACF, Capital District/Central New York Chapter
Featured on the TV Food Network
Vice President, American Culinary Federation Capital District/Central New York Chapter
Guest Lecturer – Culinary Institute of America
Cornucopia of Flavours Cookbook -Director of Project Development

1994
Culinary Cornucopia Grand Award (Best of Show), American Culinary Federation
Gold Medal, American Culinary Federation
Presented Seminar on Indonesian cuisine at the ACF ‘s National Convention in CA.
Recipient of the Chaine des Rôtisseur Medal of Honor.
Featured on the Today Show
Guest Chef, James Beard House

1993
Silver Medal, American Culinary Federation
Bronze Medal, American Culinary Federation

1992
Gold Medal, American Culinary Federation
Culinary Olympic Team 1992 Apprentice, Chaine des Rôtisseurs USA
Cited in Who’s Who Among Rising Young Americans
Guest Chef, James Beard House

1991
YONO’S is nominated as one of the Best of the Best Restaurants in America
Honored as one of North America’s outstanding chefs
Included in America’s 2000 by Chefs in America
Named Restaurateur of the Year by the NYS Restaurant Association
Recipient of the Medal of Honor from Les Amis D’Escoffier.
Gold Medal, American Culinary Federation

1990
National Chefs Touring Program for Festival of Indonesia
Guest Chef, Cornell’s “Cross Country Gourmet” Series
Motivator with Benita Zahn, local cooking show “Let’s Eat” broadcasted
weekly by NBC affiliate Channel 13 WNYT featuring regional chefs

1989
Certified Food and Beverage Executive (AH & MA)
Certified Executive Chef, American Culinary Federation (ACF)

1988
Chef of the Year, ACF Albany

1987
Culinarian of the Year, ACF Albany

Professional Affiliations

American Culinary Federation
National Restaurant Association
New York State Restaurant Association (Board Member)
Confrerie de la Chaine des Rôtisseurs,Vice Concellier Culinaire
Les Amis D’Escoffier, Charter Member, Board Member
L’Ordre Mondial
The James Beard Foundation, Prof. member
International Association Of Culinary Professionals
FBI Citizens Academy Foundation
Rotary International
World Association of Cooks and Chefs
Advisory State University of New York, Cobleskill
Boards College of St. Rose
Salvation Army
Glenmont Job Corps
Schenectady County Community College
American Lung Association
NYS Restaurant Association

Advisory Boards (expired and current)

State University of New York,
Cobleskill College of St. Rose,
Salvation Army,
Glenmont Job Corps,
Schenectady County Community College,
American Lung Association,
NYS Restaurant Association