When news first broke in September that Panico’s Community Market had acquired the catering contract to the Smithtown Landing Country Club, only those who can’t appreciate the true power of community-first generosity were left scratching their heads.
Meanwhile, those who have long supported the 40-years-strong Terry Road staple – and the man behind its mammoth sandwiches and outreach, Donato Panico – were the least bit surprised.
Nevertheless, the story of a local delicatessen wrestling away the coveted catering rights from a more corporate beast in Lessing’s Hospitality Group could be perceived as a textbook “David v. Goliath” tale by those looking in from the outside.
Those welcomed into the inner fold of the new regime, whether carried over from the former or independently called upon for their expertise, can proudly declare from the inside screaming outward that this was no fluke. Donato Panico and Co. earned the right to call themselves the caterer for Smithtown Landing.
As of January 1, 2023, all of Smithtown will call them that too.
Mandi Friedrich, Sales Manager
“That’s our superstar,” Panico popped his head in to speak of his newest hire, seconds into The Messenger’s exclusive interview with Mandi Friedrich.
Amid airborne excitement, the previous sales manager for Lessing’s Hospitality Group during their tenure as Smithtown Landing’s caterer said she and Panico knew of each other through people they were connected with before forming their thus far surefire collaboration.
“I did a wedding tour for the previous position,” Friedrich recalled, “where I would take people through Smithtown Landing during COVID times to sell the venue. He (Panico) said he saw me in an event tour on YouTube, and I ‘sold him at the video.’”
Like that, Friedrich had climbed aboard an ever-growing ship, officially starting on December 5. Her first order of business — Panico’s taking over as Smithtown Landing’s caterer on New Year’s Day — was never once threatened, despite the obligatory stresses the takeover process has entailed.
“He’s got so many great plans to do renovations there,” said Friedrich. “We’re starting from scratch to make things better, and everything is moving along quite nicely.”
Thanks to both Friedrich, selling the product to event havers-to-be, and another Panico hire charged with putting the product together, Smithtown Landing will soon be something “totally new” and even more of a place that “everyone will be proud to walk up to.”
Frank Russo, Executive Catering Director and General Manager
Before linking up with the community market founder-turned-mover and shaker on this most noble project, Russo owned catering businesses and halls— he grew up in the industry and helped shape it. Now, he’s got fixations on transforming Smithtown Landing into the hottest event spot on the Island.
“In the main building, what we’re doing, in conjunction with the Town, is literally gutting from the front door to the back,” said Russo. “And then they’re adding an enclosed steel structure where the outdoor tent area used to be for the weddings and the cocktail hours and the ceremonies and so on.”
Per Russo, the architectural and interior decorating team are also introducing a “brand new” restaurant and bar facility, a breakfast and lunch nook, and completing minor exterior entrance updates to the beloved Merrywood Cottage. They’re set to implement retractable roofs with year-round and view-conscious enjoyment in multiple prime commodity buildings as well.
“Nobody capitalized on the views (until we did),” said Russo. “It’s going to be gorgeous.”
He anticipates that all renovations across the property will run through and be completed by April 1, just in time for the summertime rush.
Wedding receptions, Sweet 16s, communions, showers and much more have already been booked plenty in advance with the Holiday season upon us. Therefore, the new team implores interested parties to their desired dates before planning any event.
“This wedding, this event, anything you’re planning is a special day in your life,” said Friedrich, “and I think he’s going to make it happen.”
Donato Panico, Caterer Extraordinaire
When they say “he,” they mean Panico. But anyone who knows Donato – and the Greater Smithtown community sure does – knows he will quicker send the credit elsewhere before ever assuming any for himself.
That’s the type of man both Friedrich and Russo have been happy to run up and down and make phone calls all around town for, impressively with no signs of transition anxiety or eleventh-hour overwhelm mere weeks into their new posts.
The proof is in what meets the eye and ample investigation: this trio is deserving of the praise they’re bound to receive for what they are about to embark on together (not to mention Panico spearheading yet another successful batch of Heros 4 Our Heroes holiday food drive campaigns).
Still, if pressed, in keeping with the consistent exhibition of the outfit leader, all three would prefer to defer attention and instead single out the good people of the township for their inspiration, patience and unwavering trust.
“The support of the community is amazing,” Friedrich said. “I have to say, I could see from the support of Smithtown, I think just by Donato being there, it’s going to make Smithtown Landing even bigger and better than what it was in the past.”
Smithtown Landing Country Club will continue to meet all New York State Department of Health regulations regarding COVID protocol safety precautions. Shaved dishes are covered, the staff wears white gloves, and sneeze guards are offered for buffet security if requested.
What also hasn’t changed with the changing of catering guards: the personnel.
“Everyone stayed,” Friedrich revealed. “This is our home and everyone is really excited for what’s to come.”
January 1 will also commence application reviews and the hiring of additional staff.
As for prematurely unsatisfied customer dealings during the shift in caterers, Friedrich indicated those who assumed they would be wronged before they could be proven otherwise have now seen that Panico’s and Smithtown Landing are “really staying on top of everything.”
“Dedication is everything. Any wedding from the previous caterer joining us, Donato said he’s honoring everything they signed up to have. He has, and he will.”
“Donato is a tremendous catalyst,” Russo believes. “Together we’re bringing in a much higher quality of product.”
“The Town of Smithtown, acting in accordance with local procurement and competitive sealed bidding laws, has unanimously voted to select a new vendor to handle all future events and manage concession areas at Smithtown Landing Country Club, effective January 1st, 2023,” said Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo. “The Town of Smithtown has begun the transition process, working together with the new vendor, Smithtown Landing Caterers, to ensure that each event taking place after December 31st, is a memorable and successful affair. Smithtown Landing Caterers has agreed to honor all written contractual arrangements and has already set up an office, and phone line to address any questions or concerns clients may have, and to ensure a seamless, memorable event.”
To book your event, email mandi@smithtownlandingcaterers.com or call (631) 357-2469.
