Summer in Central Park officially kicked off with the Central Park Conservancy’s annual Taste of Summer Benefit. Celebrated at Bethesda Terrace, the evening festivity raised over $1.3 million, supporting the Conservancy’s ongoing work to maintain the Park as a respite from the pace and pressure of city life for all New Yorkers and visitors.
Generously presented by Macquarie, friends and supporters of the Conservancy celebrated with a diverse range of cuisines and cocktails through tastings provided by New York City’s unparalleled range of restaurants.
Summer-inspired florals and groovy decor from Raiola/Co. set the evening’s 60s-themed tone, with the dance floor welcoming guests with records spun by DJ Bailey. At the Taste Café by Starr Restaurants, guests enjoyed curated tastings from Buddakan, The Clocktower, Electric Lemon, El Vez, Pastis and Upland.
“This event provides essential support for our mission to care for the Park, and we are so grateful to all of our friends and to the restaurants and chefs who made the evening so successful,” said Betsy Smith, President and CEO, Central Park Conservancy.
Honorary Chairs Kristy & Jonathan Korngold, Laurie & Jay Mandelbaum, Gillian & Sylvester Miniter, Melissa Vail & Norman C. Selby and Event Chairs Susan Magrino Dunning & James D. Dunning, Sally & Bob Miller, Elyse & Michael Newhouse were joined by some of New York’s most revered chefs, from Chef Preston Clark of Lure Fishbar to Chef Julian Medina of Soledad & Amarena. Conservancy benefactors and special guests included Judy Hart Angelo, Rick Cotton, Gillian Hearst, Tracey Huff, Sharon & Bill Jacob, Speaker Corey Johnson, Conservancy Chairman Tom Kempner & Kitty Patterson Kempner, Jill & Barry Lafer, Carol Sutton Lewis & William Lewis, Chris & Jenny Licht, Melanie McLennan, Margo & Jimmy Nederlander, Tracy Pollan, Jenny Price, John Stossel, Tracy Tang, Zach Weiss and Randi Zuckerberg.
Over 40 notable restaurants participated, including Alice, Amarena, Benoit NY, Boqueria, Breads Bakery, Bridgewater Chocolates, ByClio Bakery, Canard Inc., Central Park Boathouse, Chi Restaurant, Chinese Tuxedo, Dinosaurs Bar-B-Que, Figure Eight, Gulaabo Timeless Indian, Harlem Shake, Ho Foods, ilili Restaurant, Loi Estiatorio, Lure Fishbar, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, Maya, Mercado Little Spain, Nom Wah, Oti, Parla, pastaRAMEN, The Regency Bar & Grill, Serendipity 3, Soledad, Sugar Hill Creamery, Tasca, Tavern on the Green, Thalassa Restaurant, Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, William Greenberg Desserts, YAO and Yellow Rose.
Guests sipped on wines by 90+ Cellars, spirits and champagne provided by Pernod Ricard USA and coffee provided by illy.
Image credit: Matteo Prandoni/BFA
