HSO Honors Salute Restaurant and Zachs Family Foundation at Annual Meeting

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) celebrated two exceptional partners at its Annual Meeting, recognizing Salute Restaurant as its Outstanding Business Partner and the Zachs Family Foundation as its Outstanding Community Partner.

HSO President & CEO Steve Collins presented the Business Partner Award to Salute Restaurant, a longtime favorite of HSO musicians, staff, and patrons. “From donor meetings to post-concert fellowship, it’s hard to imagine the Symphony without a neighbor like Salute,” said Collins. “Owners Jimmy Cosgrove and Andy Rizzo—and their team—embody hospitality and community at its best.” The Symphony expressed gratitude for Salute’s ongoing support, from keeping the kitchen open late after Friday performances to contributing to auctions and offering discounts to HSO guests. Accepting the award was Salute’s beloved host, Dale Kirshnitz.

Collins then invited Ben Dubow, Executive Director of Forge City Works and last year’s honoree, to present the Community Partner Award to the Zachs Family Foundation for its transformative Endow Hartford 21 initiative. “The Zachs Family Foundation has long championed the arts and strengthened nonprofits across Greater Hartford,” said Dubow. “Through Endow Hartford 21, they’ve built a model of systems-level philanthropy—one that connects arts, education, safety, and food security so the entire community stands stronger.” Launched in 2021, the program matches endowment gifts dollar-for-dollar, empowering more than 60 local nonprofits to achieve long-term sustainability.

Together, these two honorees reflect the values that sustain the Symphony and the city it serves—partnership, generosity, and a shared belief that great communities, like great music, are built through collaboration and care.