During the “Another Shucking Fashion Show” at the Wire Event Center in Coxsackie this May, Donna and Yono Purnomo were featured, along with a wine tasting and raw bar, sponsored by Kate Bender’s Campaign for a Cure. Yono Purnomo, who is currently in end-stage renal failure and in need of a kidney, is the reason his family has initiated a campaign to find a living donor for a transplant. This event was organized as part of their efforts. The photo captures Donna and Yono Purnomo with their granddaughters in the dining room of Yono’s restaurant during their retirement party in August 2022. The Purnomos founded the original Yono’s in 1986 and have since moved to their third location, along with their sibling restaurant dp: An American Brasserie, which is located at the Hampton Inn & Suites in downtown Albany since March 2006. Presently, Yono’s and dp are owned by their son, Dominick, and the couple has retired.
Donna and Yono Purnomo were honored at Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s unveiling of “Chef Yono and Donna Purnomo Way,” a block located on Chapel Street in downtown Albany in front of their restaurants, Yono’s and dp: An American Brasserie. The Purnomos had owned these restaurants for 39 years before retiring in March 2022. Also present at the event were Congressman Paul Tonko, Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, Assemblyman John McDonald, and Mayor Kathy Sheehan. This recognition and dedication reflect the impact that the Purnomos had on the Albany community through their culinary contributions.
Yono Purnomo’s accomplishments in the hospitality industry and his dedication to culinary education were recognized by SUNY Cobleskill, which awarded him an honorary doctorate. Purnomo was founder of the Yono’s Scholarship Foundation, which supports promising culinary arts students. In April 2021, his recorded remarks were played during the college’s virtual commencement on May 15, 2021, due to pandemic restrictions.
Purnomo’s involvement in the culinary world extends beyond his own restaurants. He was one of the founders of the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival: Wine & Dine for the Arts festival, an event that was held annually in Albany. His passion for food and his expertise led him to participate in the Times Union’s Chef-Tested feature, where he taste-tested and rated different brands of pretzels available at supermarkets. Purnomo’s favorite brand was Snyder’s of Hanover for its buttery crunch, but he also appreciated the taste of Hannaford’s house brand, My Essentials.
The late chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain recognized Purnomo’s talent and expertise. After attending Bourdain’s talk at HVCC in Troy, Purnomo catered Bourdain’s preshow meal, which included organ meats and other unconventional dishes. They formed a connection through their shared passion for food and culinary exploration.
Sadly, Yono Purnomo is now facing a difficult health challenge. He is in end-stage renal failure and requires regular dialysis to stay alive. Dialysis is a time-consuming and challenging process, and the life expectancy for individuals on dialysis is often limited. While the wait for a deceased-donor kidney can be several years, finding a living donor can significantly expedite the transplant process and improve outcomes. To help find a living donor, Yono and Donna Purnomo have created a Facebook page called “Yono Needs a Kidney.” They are hopeful that someone will come forward to donate a kidney, allowing Yono to have a better quality of life and potentially extending his lifespan.
The Purnomos have been heartened by stories of successful kidney transplants and the generosity of individuals who have chosen to donate. They understand that finding a compatible donor can be a challenging task, but they remain hopeful that the campaign will lead to a successful match. Donna is encouraged by the support they have received so far, and she is eager to see how many individuals will step forward to be screened for compatibility. While they understand that they only need one donor, they hope that a larger pool of potential donors will increase their chances of finding a match more quickly.
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