Winners of Desperate Kitchen Contest announced

Prizes worth more than $45,000; Hospice of Orange and Sullivan counties benefits from application fees WARWICK - At a reception held on Thursday evening, Oct. 15, Rosita Gilsenan, owner of Gilsenan Designs, announced the first-place and runner-up winners of its Desperate Kitchen Contest. The prizes are estimated to be valued at more than $45,000. Gilsenan first launched the “Desperate Kitchen Contest” last June. At that time, all those interested in participating were invited to submit photographs of their ugly or “desperate” kitchens along with reasons as to why they should win. The winner would receive a free kitchen design, new kitchen cabinets, granite counter top, sink, wallpaper, paint and much more, compliments of Gilsenan’s Design, and many other local vendors co-sponsoring the contest. At that time Gilsenan was not sure what to expect, but she knew it would be interesting and good for the community. And the entire proceeds from a modest donation requested with each application went to the Hospice of Orange and Sullivan counties. After a panel of judges had picked six finalists, the general public was able to go to www.gilsenankitchendesigns.com and vote for their favorite and most worthy Desperate Kitchen. “We had 2,300 votes,” said Gilsenan. “The competition was fierce. We could feel it as if it were an actual beast.” All of the finalists received valuable consolation prizes and after much deliberation, the sponsors decided to give a full set of cabinets and new countertop to the runner-up, Dominique Abruzzese of Warwick. The grand prize, a full kitchen makeover, was awarded to the Young-McConnell family of Chester. Their kitchen had suffered serious damage after a flood caused by a faulty dishwasher. “I want to thank our judges, our sponsors, and Hospice, who do such fabulous work, and have benefited from your generosity, and all who made this evening a success,” said Gilsenan.

First Place Prize:
Kitchen cabinets made by Bertch Marketplace.
Granite counter tops by Integrity Granite and Marble, chosen from stock stones.
From Lam Electric: a kitchen table hanging fixture, under cabinet light fixtures.
Single bowl stainless steel sink and single lever kitchen faucet, Gilsenan Designs.
Tiled backsplash supplied by Wayne Tile, with installation by Christopher Lennon.
Appliances by Green Demolitions and Michael’s Appliances. Cabinet installation by Dave Orenstein.
Electrical work by David Stanhewicz.
Plumbing work by Klaus Kapner or Christopher Lennon.
Window treatments by American Home Interiors.
Painting by Robert Smith.
Runner up prize:
Kitchen cabinets made by Bertch Marketplace, supplied by Gilsenan Designs Inc.
Shirestone counter tops by Amazing Stone Works.
Single bowl stainless steel sink and single lever kitchen faucet, Gilsenan Designs.
Dishwasher supplied by Michael’s Appliances.
Cabinet installation by Robert Wagner.
Plumbing hookup by Christopher Lennon. Painting by Michael Cosimano.
Desperate Kitchen Contest sponsors:
Lam Lighting and Design Green Demolitions
Integrity Granite and Marble
Business Demographics Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties
Alston-Roberts, Inc.
Michaels Appliances, Middletown NY
RAB Associates LLC, Branford CT
Robert Wagner - Wagner Woodworking David Orenstein - Carpenter
David Stanhewicz - Licensed Electrician
Klaus Kapner - Licensed Plumber
Chris Lennon - Tile Installer
Newhards of Warwick
Heide Moeller - Realtor Kathy Moran - American Home Interiors
Robert Smith - Painter
Michael Cosimano - Painter ShireStone Surfaces