John-Biography

John Kowalenko - CoOwner Art of Eating Catering and Event Management
John Kowalenko has over thirty years experience in the hospitality, food and beverage industry. His first event was created as a teenager at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Patchogue in 1971. The Birth of Spring Celebration as the party was billed, featured food, music and a surfer movie. The event was such a success that they booked the hall weekly thereafter.
photo Denis Carr	He became a renowned surfer/bartender eventually parlaying his popularity and skill as a mixologist into J.K.'s., J.K.'s Too and J.K.'s No Jackets Required- restaurants and clubs located in Westhampton and Hampton Bays. One of the Highlights of these Clubs was the constant Product Placement and launch of various products into the Hamptons market. These included Frexinet Champagne, Kronenburg Beer, Bombay Gin, Ricard and Country Time Lemonade.
John was director of marketing and sales for JP Hotels (Ritz-Carton, Holiday Inn, Marriott Hotels) from 1982-1986 where he traveled throughout Florida and the U.S. promoting the corporation's properties.John has worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Billy Joel, Paul Simon Today John runs the day-to-day business of Art of Eating. He and Cheryl are committed to helping those less fortunate. He has been the operations director for Share our Strength's annual Taste of the Nation event in the Hamptons.
	As well, he and Cheryl have contributed food and event planning expertise to Taste of the Hamptons, The Child Development Center, Taste of Summer, Planned Parenthood, East End Aids Wellness, Group for the South Fork, The Nature Conservancy, Bay Street Theater, Guild Hall and Long Island University.
He is a coordinator for Island Harvest where he helps restaurants transport what would be waste to various East End food pantries, The Retreat, A.P.P.L.E., and the Senior Citizens Center in East Hampton. John also serves as V.I.P. Tent Coordinator at the popular All for the Sea Concert series at Southampton College, which has featured Jimmy Buffet, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Tom Petty, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon and, in August 2002, Bob Dylan and his band