TIM BURKE LAUNCHES NEW HAMPTONS STYLE

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HAMPTONS ICON LAUNCHES 230 ELM
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Chef Randy Reiss With Tim Burke

The very popular and well respected restaurateur and caterer Tim Burke launched the new decade in true Hamptons style with a pull out the stops New Year’s Eve bash for some 400 Hamptonites at the newly restored historic venue formerly known as Polish Hall now as 230 Elm. Located at where else but 230 Elm Street just a short walk from the Southampton train station, the enormous catering hall was trimmed in elegant black and white for this beginning of a new decade and official launch of the venue. Burke well known in the area pulled in his old team, many of whom had worked with him at the very popular 75 Main during his tenure there. Forced out by dramatically increasing rents, Burke who has an extensive and well earned reputation as one of the East End’s preeminent caterers and special events producers, once again has a venue to call his own. At 230 Elm, fans of 75 Main will encounter the same warm welcome and the top flight fare prepared by Chef Randy Reiss who helmed the kitchen at 75 Main. Adding to that are longtime associates and staffers - all locals - including Sue Collins, Jaci Laborne, Ashley Donohoe, Kim Knotoff, Dick Clair, Patrick "Whitey" Lanahan, Steve Phillips, Carl Runyon, Cindy Dempsey, Jeanie Buntz, Lisa Moore, Chrissy Phillips, Fred Lederman, Ashley Doroska, Wendy Talmage, Billy Fullum, Wayne Bezubec and Eileen Noonan. And Tim had plenty of family support including wife Felicia Burke; sister Kathy Bishop and brother-in-law Congressman Tim Bishop. There were copious hors d’oeuvres, huge steamship rounds of beef, pasta salads and desserts. More than enough to keep the revelers dancing into the New Year while a jumbo screen carried The countdown in Times Square. A troupe of beautiful Russian dancers was a highlight of the Evening’s festivities. Among the revelers all anxious to bid 2009 goodbye were Erin Molloy, Cynthia and Robert Kolbenhayer, Alice Flynn, Bill and Pam Jackson Jones, Lauren Roberts, Lisa Denoto, Lynne Leahy and Rafael Horcasitas. Tim Burke has been planning events for nearly four decades. Tim received a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Administration from Southampton College of Long Island University in 1973. He followed this with a Catering Certificate from The Culinary Institute of America. Tim Has worked as a waiter, bartender and manager in restaurants in Florida, NYC and the Hamptons. Tim recently was the catering director at the Clamman Seafood Market and Four Seasons Caterer from 1999 to 2007. In 2000 Tim started working with Chef Randy Riess. They worked together doing events from beach parties for 2 people to rock concerts for 10,000. In 2007 Tim and Randy took over 75 Main restaurant in Southampton Village. For 2 years they built a business to include breakfast, lunch, dinner and special events. Tim and Randy are now focusing their attention on catering and restaurants and catering management. Tim and Randy have planned thousands of memorable weddings, beach parties, private dinner and dinner parties. From the spectacular to the simple. Tim and Randy have earned a reputation as the smart choice for anyone wanting to create a special event. Their annual beach party clambake for Hamptons Magazine is famed as one of the best celebrity events of the summer season.
Photo By: James Edstrom