City Harvest's 23rd annual gala, Evening of Practical Magic, held at Cipriani 42nd Street, raised nearly $2.7 million to support City Harvest’s anti-hunger programs – enough to help feed over 9,860 families for a year.
Credit/Copyright: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for City Harvest
City Harvest’s Evening of Practical Magic paid tribute to the efforts of individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to support City Harvest’s work. Lise and Michael Evans received the Harry and Misook Doolittle Heart of the City Award, Geoffrey Zakarian, City Harvest Food Council chairman, was presented with the Mnuchin Family Award for Excellence, and Chelsea Clinton was awarded the City Harvest Award for Commitment. City Harvest also acknowledged Food Bazaar as 2017 Food Donor of the Year.
Hosted by fashion designer Zac Posen, the evening featured appearances by: City Harvest Food Council member and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen; lifestyle expert Martha Stewart; actress Bridget Moynahan; Sirius XM Radio host and actress/comedienne Sandra Bernhard; reality TV personality Bethenny Frankel; actors Jean Reno and JJ Field; as well as renowned culinary experts Eric Ripert, Ted Allen, Marc Murphy, Sunny Anderson, Marcela Valladolid, Masa Takayama, Donatella Arpaia, and Michael Anthony. At the end of the evening, Ja Rule took the stage for a special performance presented by Fyre with “backup dancers” Geoffrey Zakarian and Bethenny Frankel.
The live auction, led by Nicholas Lowry, President of Swann Auction Galleries, gave one lucky bidding attendee and nine of her closest friends the chance to be wined and dined in the luxury of her home by the co-hosts of Food Network’s Emmy Nominated Daytime Talk Show, The Kitchen’s Geoffrey Zakarian, Marcela Valladolid, Katie Lee, and Sunny Anderson. A bidding war arose when the night’s honoree, Geoffrey Zakarian called on his table guest, Grammy-nominated recording artist, singer, songwriter, Ja Rule to guest bartend the event. Once on stage, Ja Rule upped the excitement by adding a private performance to the lot which was sold for $150,000.
Highlights from the live auction included:
· CALIFORNIA DREAMING
Guided by Aldo Sohm, “Best Sommelier in the World in 2008”, Wine Director at Le Bernardin and namesake of New York City’s acclaimed Aldo Sohm Bar, and Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits, four guests will receive VIP treatment at Napa’s most exclusive cellars, including Harlan Estate, Colgin Cellars, Chateau Montelena, Screaming Eagle, Shafer Vineyards and Arnot-Roberts Winery. Guests will also enjoy two vintner-housed lunches, two dinners and a dreamy, four-night stay in a three-bedroom guest house.
Winning bid: $140,000
· TV DINNER
Ten lucky guests will receive the chance to be wined and dined in the winner’s home by the co-hosts of Food Network’s Emmy Nominated Daytime Talk Show, The Kitchen’s Geoffrey Zakarian, Marcela Valladolid, Katie Lee and Sunny Anderson. The night will also include a hands-on cocktail demo by Geoffrey and special performance by recording artist, singer, songwriter, Ja Rule.
Winning bid: $150,000
· INSTAGLAM COCKTAIL PARTY
The lucky winning bidder and 19 of his closest friends will receive the chance to sip on craft cocktails and tasty bites in the luxury of Isaac Mizrahi three-bedroom home in Greenwich Village and enjoy a menu curated by Danny Meyer and Isaac Mizrahi.
Winning bid: $38,000
· HOST A LEGENDARY FEAST
The winner of this exciting lot will receive the chance to turn his/her home into a Michelin-starred restaurant for 20 lucky guests with dinner by culinary legend Eric Ripert, the chef and co-owner Le Bernardin, one of the finest restaurants in the world.
Winning bid: $340,000
· OMAKASE DINNER PARTY
The winning bidder will receive the chance to savor the magic of Masa’s Omakase experience with a private tasting dinner for six by Chef Masa, the man behind Masa & Bar Masa in Columbus Circile, Kappo Masa on the Upper East Side, and the forthcoming Tetsu in Tribeca, opening this summer. The dinner will be in the winner’s home.
Winning bid: $220,000
· VIOLINIST VIRTUOSO
The winning bidder will receive the chance to join world-class violinist and Grammy-award winner, Joshua Bell, in his sophisticated Gramercy Park penthouse for a private performance and cocktail party for 20 of her closest friends.
Winning bid: $55,000
City Harvest is grateful to event sponsors Stella Artois, Citi, Evian, Patrón Tequila, Westfield World Trade Center, Breville, Mandarin Oriental New York, and I.Halper.
