Over the weekend, the prestigious culinary community came together at Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, to honor Padma Lakshmi. The annual Chefs & Champagne fundraiser is literally the event of the Summer is hosted by the James Beard Foundation (JBF). JBF does an excellent job of celebrating and nurturing people who are making America’s food culture more diverse, delicious, and sustainable for everyone. In addition to Chefs & Champagne, JBF administers the James Beard Awards; grants scholarships for culinary students; produces national events like the Taste America tour, and creates educational programs for the culinary community and food lovers.
Speaking of food lovers, more than 35 chefs from around the country, gathered under the tent at Wölffer Estate Vineyard to feed about 900 foodies and philanthropists at Chefs & Champagne. Everyone was there to not only nosh on the many offerings, sip Champagne Boizel, wines, and ciders from Wölffer Estate Vineyard, but to celebrate Padma Lakshmi. JBF’s newest CEO Clare Reichenbach shared “It was fantastic to honor Padma Lakshmi and to recognize her inspiring contributions to the culinary community.”
During the start of the program, Padma gave a shout out to the many chefs who worked so hard to make Chefs & Champagne such a success and being the feminist that she is, she gave a very special shout out to the many women who were working hard behind their food stations.
Although Lakshmi was the main honoree, we can’t forget about the other special moments like the 2018 Christian Wölffer Scholarship, which went to Franco Fugel. Since 2006, the scholarship assists students in their study of food and wine. Fugel was as humble as ever in his acceptance speech and thanked the foundation for helping him pursue his dreams. It was truly a touching moment. As of July 2018, nearly $8 million has been awarded to over 2,000 recipients through the JBF Scholarships program.
With the help of a silent auction that included one-of-a-kind dining experiences, wines and spirits, cookware, and culinary travel packages, the Summer fête raised over $100,000 to help support JBF’s mission, scholarship, education and JBF Impact Programs, which include the Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change, Women in Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Smart Catch.
After the main event, guests were ushered into a nearby tent for the fabulous after party. Guests danced the night away while enjoying a buffet-style dinner and flowing Champagne Boizel.
Now let’s talk about the food and participating chefs. Some of our favorites include:
Calvisius Caviar
Emma Bengtsson
Aquavit, NYC
Grilled Isterband Sausage Sliders
Alex Baker
Yves, NYC
Mussels Provençal with Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic Croutons, and Parsley
Michael Corvino
Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kansas City, MO
Tomato with Corn, Avocado, Trout Roe, and Dill Weed
Nicole Gajadhar
Saxon + Parole, NYC
45-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Rib-Eye with Bone Marrow, Béarnaise Sauce, and Tomato Confit
Georgette Farkas
Rotisserie Georgette, NYC
Tarte Pissaladière > Savory Onion Tart with Anchovies, Niçoise Olives, and Arugula
Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis
Root & Bone, NYC and Stiltsville Fish Bar, Miami Beach, FL
Wood-Grilled Oysters with Greenneck Butter and Charred Bread
Barbara Sibley
La Palapa, NYC
Tacos de Barbacoa > Guajillo-Braised Brisket Tacos
Suzanne Cupps
Untitled at the Whitney, NYC
Montauk Scallops with Coconut, Corn, Husk Cherries, and Sweet Peppers
Surbhi Sahni
Saar Indian Bistro, NYC
Ginger Panna Cotta with Campari Jelly and Masala-Poached Pears
Chris Starkus
Urban Farmer, Denver
Foie Gras Torchon with Duck Prosciutto, Local Cherries, Rooftop Honey, Farm Blossom, and Seed Cracker
Chintan Pandya
Rahi, NYC
Octopus with Squid Ink Upma and Calamansi Aïoli
Nick Stefanelli
Masseria, Washington, D.C.
Burrata with Beluga Caviar
PJ Calapa
Scampi, NYC
Spanish Mackerel Crudo with Tomato–Eggplant Caponata, Pine Nuts, and Basil
Emily Yuen
Bessou, NYC
Smoked Soy Farm Egg
Audrey Villegas
2 Spring, Oyster Bay, NY
Shrimp Po’ Boy with Lemon, Aïoli, and Lettuce Cup
For more information, visit jamesbeard.org/
CHEERS until next year!
2018 Chefs & Champagne participating chefs: Alex Baker, Yves, NYC; Emma Bengtsson, Aquavit, NYC; Stephan Bogardus, The North Fork Table & Inn, Southhold, NY; Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis, Root & Bone, NYC and Stiltsville Fish Bar, Miami Beach, FL; Peter Botros, The Stone House at Clove Lakes, Staten Island, NY; PJ Calapa, Scampi, NYC; Adrienne Cheatham, Sunday Best Dinner Series, NYC; Michael Corvino, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kansas City, MO; Pastry Chef Jessica Craig, L’Artusi, NYC; Suzanne Cupps, Untitled at the Whitney, NYC; Georgette Farkas, Rotisserie Georgette, NYC; JBF Award Winning-Pastry Chef Claudia Fleming*, The North Fork Table & Inn, Southold, NY; Tom Fraker, Melissa’s Produce, CA; Nicole Gajadhar, Saxon + Parole, NYC; Gregory Gourdet, Sage Restaurant Group, Portland, OR; Joseph Gurrera, Citarella, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, and Southampton, NY, Greenwich, CT; and NYC; Patti Jackson, Delaware and Hudson, Brooklyn, NY; Jimmy Lau, Shuko, NYC; Mina Newman, Sen Sakana, NYC; Ayesha Nurdjaja, Shuka, NYC; Chintan Pandya, Rahi, NYC;; Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, Don Angie, NYC; Michael Ronzino, Wölffer Kitchen, Sag Harbor, NY; Laëtitia Rouabah, Benoit Restaurant and Wine Bar, NYC; Surbhi Sahni, Saar Indian Bistro, NYC; Barbara Sibley, La Palapa, NYC; Roxanne Spruance, Kingsley, NYC; Chris Starkus, Urban Farmer, Denver; Nick Stefanelli, Masseria, Washington, D.C.; Hillary Sterling, Vic’s, NYC; Audrey Villegas, 2 Spring, Oyster Bay, NY; Jason Weiner, Almond, Bridgehampton, NY and NYC; Mathew Woolf, The Rainbow Room, Bar SixtyFive, NYC; Emily Yuen, Bessou, NYC.
*James Beard Award winner
2018 Chefs & Champagne Sponsors: Audi; Big Green Egg; Calvisius Caviar; Hamptons.com; Hamptons Magazine; Heineken®; Lakhani Coaching; Loaker; Melissa’s Produce; Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company; Royal Cup Coffee and Tea; Saratoga Spring Water Company; Seedlip Drinks, Tito’s Handmade Vodka; VerTerra Dinnerware; Windstar Cruises; WEHM; WVVH.
Photos by Kathleen Jenkins