Chef Jeff Raider

Executive Chef

The Garrison Resort

Garrison, New York

A native of the Hudson Valley, Jeff Raider built a career in prestigious and well-recognized restaurants in New York City and Florida before returning home to cook at Valley Restaurant at The Garrison.   Since the opening in 2004, the restaurant has received national recognition for Raider’s pristine American cuisine with a focus on fresh and local ingredients.   The New York Times, which rated his food Excellent just three months after opening said “his seasonal American menu shows a devotion to fine ingredients… the food …is a study in freshness,” and Esquire magazine raved “Chef Jeff Raider brings passion and absolute commitment to an eclectic menu.”

Raider comes to Valley after an impressive four years at the celebrated Sea Grill Restaurant in Rockefeller Center. Prior to the Sea Grill, Raider was hired as sous chef for the re-opening of the new Halcyon kitchen at the Rhiga Royale Hotel in Manhattan. During his tenure there, he had the unique opportunity of assisting in organizing “The Great American Chef Series,” a series of two-night dinners at the Halcyon featuring celebrity chefs from all over the country. 

Jeff was one of those rare kids who always knew exactly what he wanted to do when he grew up.  He enjoyed dining out as a child, and by the age of 10 he was set on a career as a chef.  In 1993 Jeff graduated from the CIA and was immediately hired by the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City as a line cook at Oscar’s.  There he gained valuable “high volume” experience, but his talent and ambition did not escape notice, and soon he was promoted to the kitchen of the prestigious Peacock Alley.  Here, Jeff worked every station, honing his skills and training his palate.  When he was offered an opportunity to interview for a position at the new Seafood Bar Restaurant in the Five Star – Five Diamond Breakers Hotel and Resort in Palm Beach, the then 24-year old took on the challenge.  He was hired as chef de cuisine, a position he held for two years before returning to New York City.