We are always excited to announce the continued service of our "Wild Med" family in the kitchen! Lovingly known as Rosie & Joe, the culinary excellence these two bring to our event each year in our outdoor kitchen is exquisite!
Rosie (Russ) Campisi is WellSpan's Corporate Executive Chef!! When we tried to describe our event and its vision to Russ, let's just say - his imagination started to go WILD! Can you say: Gator fritters, ostrich, snapping turtle, Bison, and Gator & Crawfish Étouffée?? We asked Rosie to add a gourmet survival and/or exotic flare to each of our meals in years past, and we know he will deliver yet again.
Joe Castellano - bio coming soon!
A little more about Rosie:
- Born in Agrigento Sicily; lived in Germany and Montreal.
- Culinary degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology, Penn State in 1998, Private Training in New England through The American Culinary Federation, Achieved Designation as a Certified Executive chef through The American Culinary Federation from 2001 through 2006, Certified by The American Culinary Federation in Culinary Nutrition in 2001.
- Certificate in Health Care Leadership from Penn State in 1999.
- Employed by Wellspan for 25+ years. Title: Corporate Executive Chef. He oversees the production of 4,000 meals per day in three counties.
- Background is in Hotels, Catering, Fine Dining, Country Clubs, Every Style of Restaurant and Healthcare Food and Nutrition Services.
- Claims to Fame: Cooked for three presidents and two vice presidents. Cooked for a $1,000 per plate fundraiser with Senator Jay Rockefeller in attendance. Cooked for an individual Knighted by the Queen of England. Cooked for the late Senator John Heinz, last meal before his tragic plane crash. Cooked for, then sat down to dinner with Paul Newman. Cooked for Ray Charles, George Winston, Sidney Poitier, Liza Minelli and other assorted celebrities.
- Married for over 30 years with three children.