The Central Park Conservancy kicked off summer in Central Park with its annual Taste of Summer benefit at the Park’s iconic Bethesda Terrace. More than 800 friends of the Conservancy enjoyed an evening under the stars with delectable food and seasonal cocktails from some of New York City’s best restaurants. Generously supported by the event’s presenting sponsor, Macquarie, the benefit raised $900,000 in support of the Conservancy’s mission to restore, maintain, and enhance Central Park.

Event Chairmen Kelly and Joe Coffey, Kristy and Jonathan Korngold, Laurie and Jay Mandelbaum, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, and Melissa Vail and Norman C. Selby were joined by notable attendees including Chef Todd English, Anne Harrison, Gillian Hearst, Tracey and Craig Huff, Sharon and Bill Jacob, Thomas L. Kempner, Jr. & Katheryn C. Patterson, Alexia Leuschen, Shawn Lytle, Pamela Schein Murphy and Chef Marc Murphy, Fiona and Eric Rudin, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, Central Park Conservancy President and CEO Elizabeth W. Smith and John Stossel.