Try pizzas at Fortina created by kids through Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley

Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·3 min read

Last year, Fortina locations in New York and Connecticut partnered with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and the Make-A-Wish Connecticut chapter to have children dealing with critical illnesses create their own pizzas with a net portion benefitting the Make-A-Wish chapters.

Specifically, Fortina's in Yonkers, Rye Brook, Armonk and Stamford participated.

Now, they've done it again starting with a February pie featuring marinara, shredded mozzarella and french fries. "The Pizza" was created by a 6-year-old Dutchess County resident named Will. It's available at all Fortina locations through the end of the month.

According to Abraham Almanza, director of marketing and volunteer management for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, Will, who was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor when he was 4, loves to make people laugh and is sure the french fries and long string of cheese atop his pizza creation will do just that. Despite his diagnosis, Will has shown bravery and courage far beyond his years and enjoys riding his bike, break dancing and playing Roblox.

Fortina in Rye Brook, Armonk and Yonkers is featuring "The Pizza," a pie topped with shredded mozzarella and French fries through the end of February. The unique pie was created by 6-year-old Dutchess County resident Will, who was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor at 4-years-old. The pie was created through a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Fortina in Rye Brook, Armonk and Yonkers is featuring "The Pizza," a pie topped with shredded mozzarella and French fries through the end of February. The unique pie was created by 6-year-old Dutchess County resident Will, who was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor at 4-years-old. The pie was created through a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Insider news: Sign up for the free lohudfood newsletter

Have a heart: Heart-shaped pizzas in Westchester, Rockland

Turkey and tunes: Elmsford deli is also a musical venue

For March, diners can nosh on the "Princess Pizza" pie. The pizza, with marinara, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, and chicken tenders, was created by 3-year-old Charlotte, a Westchester resident who's been battling leukemia.

Almanza said Charlotte loves Disney princesses and was beyond excited when Make-A-Wish sent her to Walt Disney World this past September, her dream. In Florida, she met princesses and went on rollercoasters with her family. Her goal is to return someday when she's done with her treatments and tall enough for the bigger rides.

In total, Fortina is featuring seven pies from now through August, offering toppings that range from olives to garlic confit to pineapple and bacon. Diners who order these pizzas will also get cards with information on the children and the program.

Three-year-old Westchester County resident Charlotte with Culinary Director Paul Failla at the Fortina in Stamford, Connecticut as part of a partnership with Make-A-Wish. Charlotte, who's been battling leukemia, created a "Princess Pizza" with marinara, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, bacon, and chicken tenders that will be on the Fortina menu in March.

Others include:

  • April: The "Bacaroni," created by 15-year-old Connecticut resident Arianna, featuring marinara, shredded mozzarella, bacon and pepperoni.

  • May: "The Poke Ball Pizza" by 7-year-old Roman, of Connecticut, made with marinara, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and olives.

  • June: The pie's name is to come but it will be created by 8-year-old Ben, a Westchester County resident, who's battled lymphoma and who plans to use marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, bacon and pineapple.

  • July: Eighteen-year-old Marissa created the "Cheesy Mimi," a combo of marinara, shredded mozzarella, basil, ricotta, garlic confit and Parmesan. Marissa is from Connecticut.

  • August: TBA but expect something delicious from 5-year-old Ellie, from Ulster County.

All pizzas are available at Fortina locations in Armonk, Yonkers and Rye Brook.

The cooking and prepping took place last month at Fortina in Stamford led by Director of Operations Samantha Melisi and Culinary Director Paul Failla, along with four children and their caregivers (the other three will be attending a different cooking day).

Almanza said the partnership “provides a unique opportunity for our kids to have a fun activity expanding on their wish experience. It keeps the joy of a wish going and helps them get through their medical journey… it provides much needed hope.”

The Tarrytown-based Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley spans eight counties including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester. Its mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since its inception in 1986, it has granted wishes to over 3,000 children.

The foundation is currently working on over 260 pending wishes with the average cost of a wish ranging between $7,500 to $10,000. Go to wish.org/hudson for more information or wish.org/hudson/fortina.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Fortina partners with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, offers pizzas by kids