Sam's of Gedney Way will offer a year's worth of deals as a big thank you to their customers in honor of its 25th year under the ownership of Scarsdale resident Peter Herrero Jr.

The anniversary celebration was kicked off on Nov. 4 where customers were invited to enjoy a complimentary sampling of new and old menu items. Dozens of people— including friends, business partners and longtime customers—gathered in the recently remodeled dining room, bar and patio to enjoy a varied selection of  beers and wines.

Both ends of the restaurant offered different samples of Sam's menu; one side had many varieties of the flatbread pizza, while on the other was a custom order pasta bar. Servers also walked around with appetizers such as turkey, salmon and hamburger sliders. Local beer and wine samples that were served included Captain Lawrence beer and Prospero wine, both of which are made in Westchester.

"Half of our beers and 10 percent of our wines are made right here in New York," Herrero said, adding that he was proud to support New York-based business.

Herrero and his wife, Karen, are long time resident of Westchester. He grew up on Battle Hill in White Plains, and she grew up near Mamaroneck Avenue. They now live in Scarsdale with their three daughters. He first became interested in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher when he was 15. After moving up into serving, he eventually became a manager at age 19 and at age 21 he was the youngest maître d in Westchester. 

After a few deals for other locations fell through, Herrero purchased Sam's when he was 24, in 1986. That same year he founded the New York Hospitality Group, which he runs with his wife.

"In the last recession it was pretty difficult for us," Herrero said. "We started catering to bring in some extra money. It took a few years to get off the ground, but I like hard work, and I like a challenge."

The group consists of Sam's, and two catering companies, the Great American BBQ Company, and Caperberry Events, which specialize in corporate and formal events at local venues in Metropolitan New York, Connecticut, and Westchester, such as Mapleton at Good Counsel, a business meeting and social event facility. There his company caters for events, and also provide all of the meals for the Sisters of the Divine Compassion.

Herrero attributes all of his success to the community, which is why he is more than happy to give back. The party was only the first "gift" to his patrons, and it will be followed by others, such as offering a selection of 12 different award winning wines for only $25 during the second week of November, and more depending on the reaction.

"He's very generous," said Eve Larner, the deputy director of the WCC foundation board on which he serves. "He's part of fundraising events, and hosts lots of them in his restaurant. It's not easy maintaining a business for so long, but he still finds time to give back."   

Tina Mancuso, a longtime patron who helps host White Plains Rotary club meetings at the restaurant, has been dining at Sam's for years.

"I've seen the business grow, and they're good business people who know what people like," she said. "It's how they've been in business for so long, and how they'll continue for another 25 years."

To help kick off the next 25 years, Herrero has hired a new head chef, Joseph Sasso, who has earned multiple two-star designations in his 30 years of experience, and even three stars from The New York Times.

"They wanted to go into a new direction, and they thought I was a great fit for what they wanted to do," said Sasso. Although he is expanding the menu by introducing more organic foods, he is also tweaking some of the signature foods that made Sam's such a mainstay, such as their burgers.

"Our goal is to be recognized as one of the great restaurants in Westchester," he said.

It seems that Sam's is well on its way. Throughout the night many different patrons came up to Herrero to congratulate him and thank him for the event.

"And that's half the fun," he said after being congratulated and thanked by some customers who dined there frequently.

"I just wanted to thank everyone for letting me be a part of their lives," he said. "People want to go out, they want to celebrate life, we want them to be able to do that while enjoying good food."