About Us
About Chef Yono
Widjiono (Yono) Purnomo is an award-winning Chef of Yono’s restaurant in Albany, NY. Owned and operated by the Purnomo family, this fine dining restaurant has been serving contemporary American and Indonesian fusion since 1986 and has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, Wine Spectator, Santé, DiRoNA & The American Culinary Federation among others. Yono's Foundation was established as a way to give back to the community.
A Letter from Chef Yono
As a native of Indonesia, I felt compelled to return following the devastating tsunami of December 2004 and again in the summers of 2007 and 2010. There isn’t a tremendous amount that one man can do to positively affect the lives of others less fortunate, but I was determined to do something when I saw the shocking destruction that had occurred. Since education is the key to growth and enrichment, I made it a point to reconnect with educators and the administration at Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisata in Bandung, Indonesia, the hospitality school where I trained before beginning my career with Holland America Line. I have made a commitment to perpetuate a scholarship fund to sponsor disadvantaged students in both Indonesia and the USA who show promise and talent in the culinary arts. In addition scholarships to both STP and SCCC students, I am working towards an exchange program between the two schools.
I invite you to join me in this mission!
Sincerely,
Chef Yono Purnomo
Our Approach
Our Mission
To perpetuate a scholarship fund to sponsor disadvantaged students in both the USA and Indonesia who show integrity, promise and talent in the culinary arts and to foster a student exchange program between Indonesia and the USA.
The foundation provides financial assistant to culinary students at Sekolah Tinggi Pariwisat Hotel School in Bandung in Purnomo’s native Indonesia as well as at Schenectady County Community College and SUNY-Cobleskill.
Our Partners
