The New York Botanical Garden hosted the Conservatory Ball, with its summer exhibition, Around the Table: Stories of the Foods We Love, as the backdrop. The Garden-wide, multifaceted presentation explores the cultural, horticultural, environmental, and historical significance of what we eat, examines the art and science of foodways and food traditions–many dating back thousands of years–and celebrates plants as foundational to all culinary customs. The evening, sponsored by DeBeers Jewellers, Hearst and Bartlett Tree Experts, supports the Botanical Garden’s preeminent botanical research, Horticulture, and Children’s Education programs.

This year’s attendees included Honorary Chairs, Maureen K. and Richard L. Chilton Jr., Ball Chairs, Georgina Bloomberg, Lili Buffett, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, Ravenel Curry and Jane Moss, Gillian Hearst, Sharon Jacob, Holly Lowen, Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl, Ariana Rockefeller and Deborah Goodrich Royce. Additional attendees included Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Ivy Getty, Sigourney Weaver, Elsa Majimbo, Sophie Sumner, Douglas Friedman, Paul Arnhold, Fe Fendi, Roze Traore, Jean Shafiroff, among others.