December 7, 1963 - January 9, 2018

By the Family

Jan. 17, 2018:  “It is evident that Charlotte reaches for the stars, and I don’t doubt she will get there” - Ole Bierring, Danish Ambassador to the United Nations

Bronxville was blessed to have Charlotte Dudek's Over the Moon on Kraft Avenue for 10 years, where she turned out sumptuous meals for take-out and catering. After its closing, she continued regularly catering events for many of our community’s residents and charities.

Her big heart and generosity were well known to young and old. Whether it was delivering quarts of her butternut squash soup, no questions asked, to people she learned were going through rounds of chemo, or never turning a hungry student away at lunch, Charlotte was accepting of everyone. 

A brilliant, beautiful soul known for her irrepressible humor, she would light up a room with her sparkling blue eyes and embraced her life here in America with great energy and passion.

Charlotte Dudek, née Møller, was born and raised in Denmark and graduated from Den Danske Kokkeskole (Danish Chef’s Academy), working under the tutelage of renowned Danish and French chefs in Copenhagen.

Moving to the United States at the age of 21, she secured a position as the Danish Embassy’s head chef in New York City, which also included managing the ambassador’s culinary needs in his private Westchester residence. As that determined, spunky 21-year-old, Charlotte expertly prepared events ranging from private lunches to four-course meals for 42 ambassadors, including coffee and cigars. With great style, creativity, and attention to detail, Charlotte continued to cater to dignitaries in Manhattan throughout her career.

Charlotte worked for various restaurants and catering companies across America. From Aquavit and Seagrams private dining rooms to the Great Sand Dunes Country Club in Colorado, she prepared meals for such luminaries as Hillary Clinton and the Dalai Lama. 

There wasn’t a genre of cuisine Charlotte was not willing to try, nor inevitably master. She was loved and admired by her waitstaff and bartenders, who regularly accompanied her. 

One of her greatest passions in recent years had been participating in the Specialty Foods Association Show (SOFI) in Manhattan, a grueling and highly competitive two-week event. She was to be head chef at this year’s SOFI 2018 show.

Charlotte’s passing was sudden and unexpected, happening just as she was preparing for yet another wonderful gathering of Bronxville residents, who greatly enjoyed her gastronomic delights. 

Charlotte Dudek is survived by her best friend and husband of 26 years, Steven Dudek, and her beautiful daughter, Zoe. She is also survived by her mother, Jytte Møller, father, Jon Møller, sister, Christina Møller, and nieces and nephews, all of whom reside in Denmark.

An open house memorial will be held on Saturday, January 20, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to celebrate the life of Charlotte with friends, clients, Over the Moon customers, and family at the Carskys', 353 Westchester Avenue, Yonkers, NY.

Finally, to support and celebrate her charitable passions, in lieu of flowers, please consider giving in Charlotte Dudek’s name to Kim Dudek’s New Orleans canine rehab, Dag’s House Foundation; The Bereavement Center of Westchester; and/or Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care.