Finger Lakes dining pioneer killed

The late chef Deb Whiting

MONTEZUMA, NY -- Red Newt Cellars & Bistro owners Deb Whiting, 52, and husband, Dave, 47, were involved in a two-vehicle accident on the Thruway in which she was killed and he was seriously injured.

State police said the accident happened around 8:15 p.m. when the Whitings’ vehicle, driven by David, made an unsafe lane change, according to the Corning News-Leader. Moving from the westbound driving lane to the passing lane, the Whitings’ 1985 Volkswagen struck a 2004 Buick, which left the roadway and overturned. The Whitings’ vehicle exited off the shoulder, overturned and struck a tree.

The driver of the second vehicle was treated at the scene for lacerations, and a passenger was transported to the Upstate Medical Center.

The Whitings have been longtime major presences in the Finger Lakes wine and food community. They were recognized this spring when they received the New York Wine & Grape Foundtion's "Industry Award" for major contributions in advancing the industry.

"It is hard to overstate their many contributions, Dave as a talented and innovative winemaker, Deb as an incredible self-taught chef and locavore passionista," said Jim Trezise, president of the Foundation. "In fact, her influence in transforming the Finger Lakes food scene is comparable to that of Dr. Konstantin Frank on the wine side. Both combined vision, passion, and commitment to revolutionize an industry and a region."

Deb Whiting also was a longtime president of Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty, a network of local food producers, processors, distributors, and restaurants.

"Today, the Finger Lakes is widely recognized as one of the finest wine country destinations in the world, in large part because the quality of the food has caught up to the wine.That is the legacy of Deb Whiting," Trezise said.

Back to Dowd's Guides home page.