Chefs and farmers at Chefs Gone Wild! A Celebration of the American Farmer for the Benefit of Citymeals-on-Wheels.

Early last month, one night in New York, Citymeals raised more than $1.1 million at its Chefs Gone Wild!, billed as “A Celebration of the American Farmer.” This year’s Annual Chefs’ Tribute in Rockefeller Center was hosted by Nick Valenti and Patina Restaurant Group. From the farm to the feast, Chefs Gone Wild! utilized “vibrant and fresh ingredients from farmers from around the country as the chefs created sumptuous samplings.” I highlight that because it sounds like what it is: a press agent’s dream. But the amazing part is: it was true. The food at this benefit was fabulous. And so everyone got a big reward (YUM!). And what’s more it was all to benefit Citymeals,a non-profit organization that provides home-delivered, nutritious meals to frail, homebound elderly in New York City. “Nutritious meals to (the) frail, homebound elderly in New York City.” Give that last sentence a couple minutes thought: word for word. Word for word, what does it mean? It means that could be you or me, or him, or her. Frederic Levy and Marcia Stein Okay, down-off-the-soapbox and back to the din. More than 1200 of New York’s business leaders, social and cultural trendsetters and gourmands turned out for the feast. They mingled gladly with the world’s leading chefs (see Sidebar) -- sampling their specialties along the way of this movable feast. So there they were, the lucky ones, tasting the treats, the sweets, and the signature cocktails, luxuriating in the “Farmer’s Market” in Rockefeller Plaza under the heavenly night sky under the stars until midnight to the sounds of a lively band, helping themselves to just one more sampling of the divine cuisine. Meanwhile, back to a little reality; the Citymeals: “Healthier eating for our meal recipients is a priority for Citymeals-on-Wheels,” said Marcia Stein, executive director of Citymeals-on-Wheels. “A portion of the proceeds were designated to deliver healthier foods, whole grains and fresh produce to our homebound elderly.” Citymeals-on-Wheels, having just celebrated its 25th anniversary last December, is going through its own time of renewal, so it is fitting that this year’s feast celebrate the fresh food of farmers. One hundred percent of every dollar they raised through ticket sales at Chefs Gone Wild will help Citymeals-on-Wheels provide nutritious, hand-delivered meals for aged New Yorkers, our most often forgotten neighbors. Among the chefs who created culinary magic at the 22nd Annual Chefs’ Tribute: Famed architect and set designer David Rockwell and his team designed the gardens, rink and esplanades of Rockefeller Center for the event. With sweeping tents, booths and signage, Rockwell transformed the setting into New York’s most glamorous farmer’s market. Audrey Saunders of the Pegu Club served as the event’s beverage chair. Rockefeller Center is the night’s host, courtesy of Patina Restaurant Group & Tishman Speyer. Pickled Georgia White Shrimp with Summer Vegetable Salad served by Chefs Anne Quatrano & Clifford Harrison of Bacchanalia in Atlanta, GA Chefs Gone Wild! is chaired by Susie and Kevin Davis, Ninah and Michael Lynne, and Laura and John Pomerantz. Man Financial is the Grand Sponsor and Gourmet Magazine was the Media Sponsor for the event. New Line Cinema is also a sponsor along with Affinia Hotels and American Airlines, the official airline of Citymeals-on-Wheels and FIJI Water, the official water of Citymeals-on-Wheels. ABOUT CITYMEALS-ON-WHEELS: Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in December 2006, Citymeals-on-Wheels was founded in 1981 by renowned restaurant critic Gael Greene and legendary chef James Beard. Citymeals is a not-for-profit organization and public-private partnership with the NYC Department for Aging that raises private funds to prepare and deliver weekend, holiday and emergency meals for homebound elderly throughout the boroughs of New York City. Over the course of the year, Citymeals will underwrite 2.7 million meals for over 18,000 seniors in New York City One hundred percent of donations from the public to Citymealsgoes toward hand-delivered meals for homebound seniors. For more information, visit www.citymeals.org.

Colin Alevras of The Tasting Room, New York, NY Dan Barber of Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Tarrytown, NY John Besh of Restaurant August, New Orleans, LA Daniel Boulud & Dominique Ansel of Daniel, New York, NY Jawn Chasteen & Michael Gabriel of The Sea Grill, New York, NY Franck Deletrain of Café Centro, New York, NY Chris DeLuna of Naples 45, New York, NY Claudia Fleming & Gerry Hayden of The North Fork Table & Inn, Southold, NY Larry Forgione of An American Place, St. Louis, MO/New York, NY Clark Frasier & Mark Gaier of Arrows Restaurant, Ogunquit, ME Greg Higgins of Higgins Restaurant & Bar, Portland, OR Peter Hoffman of Savoy, New York, NY Joshua Hollinger & Steve Lewandowski of Coach House, Edgartown, MA Matthew Kenney of Organic Umbrella, New York, NY Christopher Lee of Gilt, New York, NY Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food & Wine, Boulder, CO Tory Miller of L’Etoile, Madison, WI Michel Nischan of The Dressing Room, Westport, CT Michael Paley of Proof on Main, Louisville, KY Charlie Palmer of Aureole, New York, NY Davd Pasternack of Esca, New York, NY Scott Peacock of Watershed, Decatur, GA Charles Phan of The Slanted Door, San Francisco, CA Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar & Grill, New York, NY Antonio Prontelli of Rock Center Café, New York, NY Anne Quatrano & Clifford Harrison of Bacchanalia, Atlanta, GA Andrea Reusing of Lantern Restaurant, Chapel Hill, NC Holly Smith of Café Juanita, Kirkland, WA Joachim Splichal of Patina Restaurant Group, Los Angeles, CA Greg Higgins of Higgins Restaurant & Bar, Portland, OR Peter Hoffman of Savoy, New York, NY Joshua Hollinger & Steve Lewandowski of Coach House, Edgartown, MA Matthew Kenney of Organic Umbrella, New York, NY Christopher Lee of Gilt, New York, NY Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food & Wine, Boulder, CO Alessandro Stratta of Alex at Wynn Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV) Bill Telepan of Telepan, New York, NY Charlie Trotter of Charlie Trotter's, Chicago, IL Alice Waters, Jean Pierre Moulle & Alan Tangren of Chez Panisse, Berkeley, CA Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto, New York, NY

Brooke Barrett, Charlie Palmer of Aureole in New York, NY, and Chrissy Denihan

Drew Nieporent with Chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier of Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit, ME

John and Laura Pomerantz, Susie Davis, and Ruth Finley

Kevin Davis, Marcia Stein, and Susie Davis

Restaurateur Drew Nieporent and Chef Charlie Palmer of Aureole in New York, NY

Chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA

Ruth Finley, Dennis Riese, and Marcia Stein

Michael Lynne and Marcia Stein

Marcia Stein with Mathew and Lara Glazier

Chef Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto in New York, NY

Chef Joachim Splichal of Patina Restaurant Group in Los Angeles, CA and Chef Jawn Chasteen of The Sea Grill in New York, NY

Laura and John Pomerantz

Marcia Stein, Executive Director of Citymeals-on-Wheels and Samantha Boardman

David Rockwell and Marcia Stein

Gael Greene, Co-founder & Chair of Citymeals-on-Wheels

Barbara and Donald Tober

Ruth Reichl

Cinema Society’s Andrew Saffir who lights up the New York filmgoer’s dreams most of the year almost weekly with his celebrity jammed private screenings in Manhattan, has taken his show out to the Hamptons for the warmer months. Recently in Southampton he welcomed a glittering group of Hamptonites (New Yorkers in the summertime) and celebrities to a screening of Griffin Dunne’s new film, “Fierce People,” which stars Diane Lane and Donald Sutherland. After the screening, there was a Serena Bass (also of Manhattan) catered dinner at a beachfront house on Meadow Lane. Mr. Dunne was on hand for both the screening and the dinner.

Beth Ostrosky

Jill Rappaport

Felicia Taylor

In the starry mix that night: Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky, Kelsey and Camille Grammer, Heather Graham, Rachel Hunter, Jill Rappaport, James Lipton, Dina Merrill and Ted Hartley, Chuck Scarborough, Dan Abrams, Richard and Sessa Johnson, Rosanna Scotto, Donny Deutsch, Hana Soukupova, Thom Filicia, Kelly Bensimon, Jerry Della Femina and Judy Licht, Jessie Della Femina, Rocco DiSpirito, Dennis Basso, Whitney and James Fairchild, Jamie Johnson, Daniel Benedict, Alex Kramer, Alexis Bryan, Campion Platt, Jane Holzer, Vanessa von Bismarck, Tim and Helen Schifter, Olivia Chantecaille, Marjorie Gubelmann and the Wall Street Journal’s David Wachtel and Andrea Norlander. The evening was sponsored by the Wall Street Journal. Brooks Brothers and Pravda vodka co-sponsored.

Holly Dunlap

Tim Schifter

Alina Cho

Griffin Dunne

Heather Graham

James and Whitney Fairchild

Howard Stern

Alexis Bryan and Jack Bryan

Amanda Lederman and Donny Deutsch

Greg Calejo and Thom Filicia

Joseph Fichera, Richard Johnson, and Sessa von Richthofen

Drew Aaron, Hana Soukupova, and Jaret Keller

Rocco DiSpirito, Rachel Hunter, and Mike Heller

Douglas Friedman, Bonnie Morrison, and Daniel Benedict

Rachel Hunter

Andrew Saffir, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, and Nicholas Stefanov

James Lipton and Kedakai Lipton

Ellen and Chuck Scarborough

Tatiana Platt, Campion Platt, and Jeremy Platt

Andrew Saffir, Daniel Benedict, Andrea Norlander, and Patrick McMullan

Camille Grammer, Kelsey Grammer, and Griffin Dunne

Ren Grady and Olivia Chantacaille

Ted Hartley and Dina Merrill

Jesse Della Femina and Jim Shi

Arthur Wayne, Jackie Astier, and Daniel Benedict

Michael Cominotto and Dennis Basso

Marjorie Gubelmann

Vanessa von Bismark

Jerry Della Femina

Helen Schifter

Alex Kramer

Dan Abrams and Jaime Murray

The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation held its 15th Anniversary Golf Invitational in Purchase, New York. 250 golfers and 65 pros participated. The day of golf was followed by a dinner and live auction conducted by Jamie Niven of Sotheby’s. Dr. Max Gomez was the Master of Ceremony. 2006 Tony Award Winner and 2007 Grammy Winner, Christian Hoff, who stars as Tommy Devito in the hit Broadway musical “Jersey Boys,” performed at the dinner. The Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets and Aurelius Advisors were Corporate Chairs. The day raised a record breaking amount of close to $1.7 million! The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation was established in 1995 to find better treatments and cures and to provide medical and patient information for dystonia and Parkinson’s disease, two devastating movement disorders that affect over 1.5 million Americans. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. It was announced at the dinner that Christian Hoff will be the National Spokesman for the Foundation. Mr. Hoff hopes to raise further awareness and funds to accelerate the pace of scientific research and continue the momentum that is currently underway to help find cures. For more information about the Foundation or to make a donation, please visit the website at www.dystonia-parkinsons.org or call 212-241-5614.

Bonnie Strauss, President and Founder, with Morris and Nancy Offit

The Dekker Family: Russell, Debbie, Marcel, Harriet, David, and Jennifer

Bonnie Strauss, Lisa Borowitz, Jamie Niven, and Tom Strauss

Corporate Chairs: Mark Standish and Patick O'Meara with Bonnie Strauss

Mark Standish, Nancy Rackoff, Christian Hoff, Bonnie Strauss, and Tom Strauss

Christian and Melissa Hoff

Jeff Mann, John Pomerantz, and Helen Miller

Christian Hoff and Dr. Maz Gomez with daughter Katie

Bonnie Strauss and Mark Standish

Tracey Strauss and Kimberly Kravis Schulhof

Christian Hoff and Albert Starominsky

Sharon Kingenstein, David Freedberg, Greg Klingenstein, and Abby Ruttenberg

Anne and Tom Johnson, Ray Joslin, and Tom Strauss

Dr. Valina Dawson and Dr. Ted Dawson

It’s that time of the year and the Hampton Designer Showhouse with a gala preview party on Saturday, July 21, and run for 6 weeks until Sunday, September 2, 2007. There was a “kick-off” cocktail at the home of Lorraine Schacht and Sherri Mandel of Lorin Marsh. Proceeds will benefit Southampton Hospital, and everybody works hard for the cause, the Showhouse itself is fodder for endless conversation at any cockteail party where you bring together a cadre of interior designers along with media and clients. This year’s Showhouse will feature approximately 25 designers and decorative artists. They will “turn a lavish shingle style mansion donated by George Gavalas of Gavalas Builders into a decorating masterpiece.” That’s what the event’s PR told me. I remember last year’s. I think it was last year’s. Big big showhouse, a brand new mansion in what once upon a time was a potato field in Bridgehampton. Big rooms, lots of light, high ceilings and full of the latest everything. I liked it. I thought to myself it might be very nice to live here (depending on your tastes in interior design of course). Cathy di Montezemolo and Mildred Brinn are the Honorary Co-Chairs of this year’s Showhouse Gala Preview. Mario Buatta is Honorary Gala Chair and Hilary Geary Ross is the Gala Chair. Gary Crain is Honorary Design Chair and James Alan Smith is Decorative Arts Chair. Journal Management is provided by Kay Gilman, Showhouse Management is provided by Tony Manning and Showhouse Operations are provided by Mary Lynch.

Christina Ware and Chuck Baier

Stefano Antoniazzi and David Scott

Jack Deamer and Peter Lentz

Robert Chaloner, President of Southampton Hospital, and Gloria Rabinowitz

Jamie Drake and Rona Landman

Lorraine Schacht, Sherri Mandel, Caren Schacht, and Sophia Fox

George Gavalas and Anastasia Gavalas

Peter Falk and Romaine Gordon

Tatiana Platt, Campion Platt, Lorraine Schacht, and and Jeremy Platt

This marks the 7th year for the Hampton Designer Showhouse, a showcase for America’s premiere design talent, that rivals any showhouse in Manhattan. This year’s Showhouse is located at 536 Ocean Road in Bridgehampton, NY.  Gala tickets are $250 each. Admission to the showhouse is $30 and includes the Showhouse Journal. Showhouse hours will be as follows: Monday through Sunday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Children under six, infants, strollers and pets are not allowed in the Showhouse. For more information visit www.hamptondesignershowhouse.com or call 631 537-3711. About the benefit: Since its establishment in 1909, Southampton Hospital has remained faithful to the vision of its founders in its dedication to providing the very best medical care to the East End community. An affiliate of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System, the nonprofit Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and offers a full continuum of ambulatory and inpatient services ranging from primary medical care to specialized surgical procedures. The only major medical facility on eastern Long Island's South Fork, the Hospital offers primary, emergency and specialty healthcare, extended service hours and community outreach programs to Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island towns. Southampton Hospital and its 11 conveniently located satellite care centers are staffed with dedicated and expert professionals and boast some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment available in medicine today. This outstanding combination makes Southampton not just an exceptional community hospital but one that compares very favorably with the area's top healthcare providers.

Cathy di Montezemolo and Gary Crain

Paul Zansler, Karen Young, Jim Brawders, and Rick Livingston

Kim Costagliola, John Champion, Tom Burak, and Tom Lampson

Alix Lerman, Jim Druckman, and Marie Agostino

Mason Morjikian and Corinne Kevorkian

Tony Manning and Janice Langrall

Karine and John Bermingham

Gerald Puschel and Gary Crain

Denyse Rinfret and Rena Fortgang

George and Anastasia Gavalas

Peter Lentz, Rena Fortgang, and Jack Deamer

Doug Roach, Anthony Comacho, and David Scott

Photographs by Tiffany Oelfke (Citymeals); ©PatrickMcMullan.com (Show House)

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