Careers through Culinary Arts Program's Benefit 2011 to Honor Chef Michael Lomonaco
Renowned chef and restaurateur Michael Lomonaco will be honored at the annual Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) culinary event on February 16, 2011, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at PIER SIXTY at Chelsea Piers to support the scholarship and enrichment programs offered by C-CAP. Since 1990, C-CAP has awarded high-school students $31 million in scholarships and donated $2.5 million worth of supplies and equipment to classrooms.
Guests of C-CAP will enjoy an evening of signature dishes presented by 37 of New York's long-time favorites as well as the city's hottest star chefs with champagne and wine donated by The Charmer Sunbelt Group. More than 60 New York City C-CAP high-school culinary students are expected to assist the chefs of these renowned restaurants. The evening's festivities will also include a silent auction including once-in-a-lifetime culinary and travel packages.
CBS2 News co-anchor Maurice DuBois will be the master of ceremonies, with event chair Kenneth Himmel, president and CEO of Related Urban, and chef chair Marcus Samuelsson, Red Rooster. The vice-chairs for the event are Nina and Tim Zagat and Susan and Richard Grausman.
This year, C-CAP is honoring chef, author and TV personality Michael Lomonaco for his extraordinary achievements and contributions to the culinary industry, his longtime dedication to C-CAP and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of chefs.
Considered one of America's leading culinary authorities, Lomonaco is an American chef known for the spectacular cuisine presented at award-winning restaurants including Le Cirque, 21 Club, Windows on the World and currently at Porter House New York, which was named by Esquire magazine one of America's Best New Restaurants in October 2006. His unique style is reflected in his cookbooks and magazine articles and television series on the Discovery Channel’s “Epicurious” and “Michael's Place” on the Food Network.
“The walk-around tasting event raises funds to support C-CAP's mission to provide underserved high school students with training, scholarships and jobs in the restaurant and foodservice industry,” says Richard Grausman, founder and president of the 21-year-old nonprofit Careers through Culinary Arts Program. C-CAP has worked with more than 200 culinary teachers, 200,000 high-school students whom they've taught, and 2,000 C-CAP scholarship winners who went to college. We're proud that more and more qualified students are going into the industry."
As this year's honoree, Michael Lomonaco will receive the C-CAP Honors Award. The C-CAP Benefit is open to the public. Tickets for general admission are $500 (limited availability); tickets for VIP admission are $600 and $1,000. For tickets, more information about the event and sponsorship opportunities, call (212) 974-7111 or visit www.ccapinc.org.