Whom You Know: NIGHTLIGHT: Central Park Conservancy’s Taste of Summer Was a Successful and Delicious Al Fresco Evening

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

NIGHTLIGHT: Central Park Conservancy’s Taste of Summer Was a Successful and Delicious Al Fresco Evening

Central Park Conservancy’s Taste of Summer event was a spectacular success, raising $600,000 to continue its mission to maintain and preserve Central Park. Over 1,000 guests enjoyed the gourmet evening in a big, beautiful white tent at the Bandshell in the middle of The Park. Forty renowned New York chefs and restaurants, including Peachy's Pick Serafina Restaurant Group’s Geisha, Manaña, Serafina and Brasserie Cognac who hosted the VIP Lounge, served buffet tables of culinary delights. Vittorio, Fabio, Caroline and many more of the Serafina Group are Movers and Shakers.

Conservancy President Doug Blonsky and Women’s Committee President Gillian Miniter greeted revelers who included Karen and Richard LeFrak,Susan Fales Hill, Park Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Muffie Potter Aston, Mario Buatta, Amy Tarr, Eric Javits, Jr., Alison and Andy Brod,Yesim Philip, Geoffrey Bradfield, Danielle Rossi and Jeff Hirsch. The event’s Trustee Chairmen were Jay Mandelbaum and Norman Selby.

Committee members included Thomas L. Kempner, Jr., Vittorio and Charlotte Assaf, Fabio Granato, Angel Sanchez, Suzanne and Bob Cochran, David Patrick Columbia, Elyse and Michael Newhouse, Liz and Jeff Peek, Patsy and Jeff Tarr, Laurie Tisch, Patrick McMullan, Margaret Munzer Loeb and Daniel Loeb, Carol Bell, Noreen Buckfire, Lydia Fenet, Darren Henault, Kristy and Jonathan Korngold, Jill Lafer, Connie Anne Phillips, Gina Tuttle, Kathryn C. Patterson, Elizabeth Belfer, Diana and Joe DiMenna, Yaz and Valentin Hernandez, Ann Tenenbaumand Tom Lee, Alison Minton, Selmin Arat and Rebecca Campbell.

The perfectly summery evening was a blast. Tom Finn played music so tempting that guests, led by Muffie Potter Aston, Sylvester Miniter,Alexandra Lebenthal, Edmundo Huerta and Somers Farkas, started dancing before 8pm.

The participating restaurants included: Asia de Cuba, Bice Ristorante, BLT Market, The Carlyle, China Grill, The Central Park Boathouse, Ciao Bella Gelato, Gordon Ramsay at the London NYC, Ivy Bakery, Maya, The Oak Room, Osteria Del Circo, The Palm Court, Pampano, Park Avenue Summer, Peanut Butter & Co., Quality Meats, Redeye Grill, Rouge Tomate, SD26, Serendipity 3, Shelly’s Trattoria, SUSHISAMBA Park, Telepan, Thalassa, The Modern and Trattoria Dell’Arte.

The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 that manages Central Park under a contract with the City of New York/Department of Parks and Recreation. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, and foundations, the Conservancy has raised more than $530 million to date and has transformed Central Park into a model for urban parks nationwide. The Conservancy provides more than 85% of Central Park's annual $26 million operating budget and is responsible for all basic care of the Park.

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