On May 3rd, 2018, Chef Michael White was honored at Project Sunshine’s 15th Annual Benefit at Cipriani’s 42nd Street This evening’s fundraiser raised over $1mm. Project Sunshine recruits and trains volunteers to deliver programs that promote creative expression, socialization, and intellectual stimulation to children facing medical challenges in 175 cities across the US and in 4 international satellite locations.
The evening was hosted by Sesame Street actor, Emilio Delgado, who was joined by former cast mates Roscoe Orman, Bob McGrath and Sonia Manzano for a live rendition of Bienvenidos to open the evening.
Later into the programing guests were treated to an intimate set by Grammy nominated Singer-Songwriter Tori Kelly, who performed an acoustic version of Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing.
This year’s honorees included Stella Li, President of BYD Motors Inc., recipient of the Business Leadership Award and Chef Michael White, Head Chef & Co-Owner of Altamarea Group, recipient of the Visionary Award. “This year Project Sunshine is excited to honor Chef Michael White, an outstanding culinary talent. We celebrate his work to encourage pediatric patients and their families to make healthy food choices through Project Sunshine’s “Better Bites” program,” said Joe Weilgus, Project Sunshine Founder. “We are equally thrilled to award Stella Li for her commitment to being an architect of the Project Sunshine Healthy Living A.B.C.’s program.May her dedication to building a cleaner, healthier, and brighter, world be an example to us all.”
In addition to a silent auction, the night included live bidding conducted by C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s, on items such as a Chinatown foodie tour hosted by Andrew Zimmern and two private dinners for 12 at Michael White’s restaurant Vaucluse. ChefWhite personally auctioned off the two dinners, raising over $25,000 for the organization.
As the recipient of the Visionary Award, Chef White is a talented and honorable chef. He works with Project Sunshine in order to help guide pediatric patients and their families to making healthier food choices. We thought our readers would love to get to know Chef White a bit better through a little Q&A:
Chef Michael White IG
First, congratulations on being honored. Tell our readers why being honored was so special for you?
It was so special to be honored by such an amazing organization. As a father, I cannot imagine what these families are going through on a daily basis. What Project Sunshine does is truly remarkable and to have them welcome myself and my team at Altamarea Group was truly a privilege and an honor.
Share your involvement with Project Sunshine and when you first started, and why you chose this particular charity?
Joe Weilgus, the founder of Project Sunshine, has been a longtime, dedicated patron of many of my restaurants. Through the years, Altamarea Group has made a number of donations in support of Project Sunshine. However, this year, we came together to build upon the idea of having AMG contribute to the “Better Bites Program.” We are working to start a program in which we will have caretakers learn from our very own chefs in our restaurant kitchens, some of the basics of creating a healthy, affordable meal for their families.
Other than you being honored, what was the highlight of this wonderful evening?
I think the highlight for me would be seeing all of the folks who came out in support of Project Sunshine. The ability to have my wife Giovanna and the Altamarea Group team with me as I went up to accept the award and assist with the auction prizes was really such a wonderful experience.
DTM: Being involved in charities is important. What can you share with our readers who want to get started but do not know the first step?
Chef Michael White: Get out there. Get involved. It is really about making that initial connection with the people you are helping. When I volunteered with Project Sunshine at Brooklyn Hospital this past winter and first spoke with a little boy named Lucas, there was an immediate connection. I was able to see within those first few moments that what I was doing was so important, for him and that made it all worthwhile.
DTM: We love that you help educate families on choosing better when it comes to their food. What can parents do who may not have the luxury of purchasing that healthier snack/food for their child?
Chef Michael White: I always tend to think about what goes into the food. Fresh is always best but we know that sometimes, the freshest vegetables and fruits may not be the most affordable. Therefore, I recommend frozen vegetables or fruits. There are still many nutrients and vitamins, even if they are frozen.
DTM What can we do as a nation to help combat the higher cost of healthier foods?
Education is key. Informing consumers that healthy eating doesn’t need to come at a top expense. Look for products that are in season and in abundance helps drives down cost.
When you live in a space that a garden is an option, plant fruits and vegetables together with your family that you like will use and grow well in the area.
Also important is to look for ways to use every part of an ingredient. For example, bones and shells for stocks, cheese rinds for a richer flavor, stems, and frowns, for additional flavor.
Never let anything spoil. Freeze your dishes made in large quantity, find creative ways to integrate leftover bread, juicing fruits and vegetables that might be close to turning.
DTM: Chef Michael White, you are truly an extraordinary chef. What was it which pushed you towards the culinary world?
Chef Michael White: I always loved to eat and had a passion for trying bold foods and flavors. My father was and is a very avid cook. As I grew up, I began helping him in the kitchen more and more. We would watch Good Morning America together back when Wolfgang Puck would do cooking demonstrations on Fridays. However, it was when I watched Great Chefs that made me realize I wanted a life in a professional kitchen. This led to me moving to Chicago and while working at Spiaggia, experiencing real Italian food for the first time. It changed my life and led me on the path I continue on today.
DTM: What dish is it that your family requests from you at home?
Chef Michael White: A Sunday Sauce is always very common in my house. There is nothing quite like a bowl of fresh pasta with fresh tomato sauce. My daughter Francesca is a huge fan!
DTM: With Altamarea, a world-renowned restaurant group, each restaurant’s cuisine is as superb as the other. Which restaurant is your favorite and why? (getting hungry just thinking about your cuisine!)
Chef Michael White: If I am being honest, I really love all of the restaurants equally, but for different reasons. For example, where Marea and Ai Fiori are fine dinings, Osteria Morini and Nicoletta are more casual. We are able to deliver excellent food, service and great experiences at every end of the spectrum. It isn’t possible to choose just one!
If you are a foodie like most New Yorker’s then you know good food and many great chefs. However, there’s only a handful who stand out, when we think of giving.
Starting today and for the next three weeks, over 375 of New York City’s best restaurants are coming together for Winter Resturant Week of 2018.
If you don’t know what restaurant week is, then shame on you. Okay not really, but you definitely want to know. You can read all about it here.
Now for those of you who know of it, but have never taken advantage of it, what are you waiting for? Now’s the time to go. Especially when you see the long list of participating restaurants. We bet there are a few that’s been on your “must go” list. And what better time than now? Take advantage of the amazing deals for restaurant week.
These are some of our favorite spots in FiDi and Battery Park City — and we bet they’ll be yours too.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll happily say it again — Delmonico’s is a classic restaurant in Downtown and simply a must-visit! Their steaks are sublime and the rest of the menu is too. Basically, you can’t go wrong here. Appetizers for restaurant week include Acquerello risotto and pan-roasted scallops, while the entrees, of course, have steaks or you can choose lobster and even chicken. End with a lovely dessert like Baked Alaska or, when in NYC, a New York Cheesecake. They are open for restaurant week reservations Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner.
Cipriani’s downtown restaurant, located at 55 Wall Street, is a prime option for Winter 2018 Resturant Week. With its warm and gorgeous interiors and delicious food to match, this is really an easy choice. On the menu for these weeks are the signature Bellini and original carpaccio, the famous baked tagliolini, vanilla meringue and other Italian specialties. They are open for restaurant week reservations Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner.
This is the first restaurant week in Nobu’s new location at 150 Broadway — and we can’t wait to check it out! The dishes are perfectly designed by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, an innovator of new style Japanese food. And the design by architect David Rockwell, in which you’ll be enjoying Seafood Ceviche or Rock Shrimp Tempura with Creamy Spicy Sauce, transports you right to the Japanese countryside. They are open for restaurant week reservations Monday through Friday for lunch.
Tradition and innovation collide in a whirlwind of sight, sound and sabor at El Vez. With deep roots in regional Mexican cooking, the menu is built around guacamoles, fundidos, ceviches, tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas made from scratch with authenticity in mind. Meanwhile, the bar offers a large selection of creative cocktails, signature margaritas and a staggering selection of 150 mezcals and tequilas. They are open for restaurant week reservations Monday through Friday for dinner.
This Andalusian tapas bar and restaurant in a contemporary setting is a neighborhood favorite. Chef Jose Garces embraces the rich traditions of Spanish gastronomy while incorporating modern tapas. Amada is serving up some unique signature dishes for restaurant week such as classic guacamole, Pozole de Jalisco, Chile Relleno and so much more. They are open for restaurant week reservations Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Located in the center of the 15-story lobby of the Conrad Hotel, this spot serves seasonally-inspired New American cuisine from a dramatic open kitchen. Executive chef Gerron Douglas and his team prepare delicious dishes created with the finest local produce and a dash of passion. Atrio is the perfect restaurant for families, couples and business guests looking for sophisticated dining in Lower Manhattan — and perfect for restaurant week. Try their roasted beet salad or their vegetable risotto among other things. They are open for restaurant week reservations Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Ashley Graham at the Gala / Photo by Jason Kempin & Getty Images
Last week, nonprofit organization UrbanArtsPartnership celebrated its 25th Anniversary in New York City at the iconic Cipriani Wall Street with actress, activist and co-founder Rosie Perez as the evening’s emcee.
Saturday Night Live‘s Cecily Strong, actress Debi Mazar and actor Paul Schneider opened the night with a hilarious skit tied to arts education programs, the core of the Urban Arts Partnership. Supermodel Ashley Graham sparkled in Badgley Mischka and Jimmy Choos as she was honored for her commitment and contribution to furthering the organization’s mission, and fellow honoree Michael Ealy — who was unable to attend due to the snowstorm of last week — provided a touching message via video to the organization’s students and guests.
UrbanArtsPartnershipArtistic Board Member and award-winning artist Andra Day stunned in a Zara jumpsuit and Giuseppe Zanotti heels as she belted her hit “Rise Up,” dedicating the song to Perez and all of the organization, while singer Grace received a standing ovation for her a cappella performance of “You Don’t Own Me” after technical difficulties with the track music.
The evening wrapped with a performance by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels including hit “Walk This Way,” which brought the entire crowd to the dance floor. Additional notable guests in attendance included AJ Calloway, Lion Babe, Yolonda Ross, Allen Maldonado, Rotimi Akinosho, DJ D-Nice, Diane Neal, Ramon Rodriguez, Elle Varner, among others.
Last week, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) hosted its 19th Annual Collaborating For A Cure Benefit Dinner & Auction at Cipriani Wall Street. Beyond marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation by noted oncologist Samuel Waxman, M.D., the event also made history in introducing the SWCRF Vince Camuto Memorial Cancer Research Program in honor of Mr. Camuto; the founder of Camuto Group passed away from prostate cancer in 2015. Louise Camuto, Chief Creative Officer of Camuto Group, accepted the honor in memory of her late husband. Downtown interviewed Dr. Waxman in advance of the event, who was in attendance among notables that included Jean Shafiroff, John Varvatos and Michael Nierenberg.
This year’s event was attended by more than 750 corporate executives, board members and their guests. It was hosted by Chris Wragge — co-anchor of CBS 2’s News This Morning — as master of ceremonies, and raised approximately $2.5 million for SWCRF cancer research programs. The money raised will support the Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer by reprogramming cancer cells and to deliver tailored, minimally toxic treatments to patients. The scientists funded by the SWCRF have made significant breakthroughs in cancer research, including identifying pathways to deliver novel therapies to treat cancer.
The evening was capped off by a full-length performance by Roger Daltrey of The Who. Daltrey, a regular supporter of cancer-related causes, played nearly every song by The Who that a classic rock fan would want to hear, as backed by a five-piece band that included guitarists Simon Townshend and Frank Simes, bassist Jon Button, keyboardist Loren Gold and drummer Scott Devours. For a handful of songs, the group was joined on-stage by singer/songwriter Willie Nile, who recently premiered a music video through Downtown. Daltrey and band closed the evening with an impromptu Johnny Cash medley, which highlighted Daltrey as a guitarist. Beyond Daltrey, other celebrity performers at SWCRF events have included Ziggy Marley, Train, Peter Frampton, Gregg Allman, Kid Rock, Steely Dan, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, and Counting Crows.
For more information on the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, please visit www.waxmancancer.org.
The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Professor of Medicine, Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology, and the Distinguished Service Professor of Oncological Sciences at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, Dr. Samuel Waxman has been part of the Mount Sinai faculty for over 30 years. Within those decades of experience, Dr. Waxman has written hundreds of published scientific papers and textbook chapters. As if those titles and credits were not enough, Dr. Waxman is also the founder of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, which has provided over $90 million in grants to more than 200 researchers.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has regularly presented high-profile events, and continues that tradition with its Collaborating For A Cure gala on Thursday, Nov. 10. This year’s event, which celebrates the foundation’s 40 years of making a difference, will take place at Cipriani Wall Street. Tickets and more info on the gala — which will include an appearance by Roger Daltrey of The Who — can be found on the foundation’s website.
Dr. Waxman spoke to Downtown about Collaborating For A Cure, how he got involved with cancer research and what else is coming up for him. The inspirational Dr. Waxman can be visited online at www.waxmancancer.org.
Dr. Samuel Waxman / Photo: Jared Siskin
Where does your passion for cancer research come from?
Dr. Samuel Waxman: The death of my mother from cancer when I was 16 affected me very deeply and inspired my passion to eradicate cancer.
When you were studying to become a doctor, what was your initial specialty?
A lot of people are skeptical about medical foundations. When someone donates to your foundation, what exactly does the money go towards?
SW: The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation specializes in funding research that identifies and corrects faulty genetic behavior that causes cancer and our grantees are all leading researchers who collaborate on projects across cancer institutes. Donations sustain their progress by covering the cost of laboratory equipment, staffing and administrative expenses that allow them to test their theories, hopefully leading to clinical trials for new cancer treatments.
Is there an accomplishment related to the foundation that you are most proud of?
SW: My collaboration through SWCRF with two distinguished cancer researchers from Shanghai, Professor Zhu Chen and Professor Zhen-Yi Wang, produced a cure for APL, a form of leukemia, that improved the five-year survival rate of patients from 25 percent to 95 percent. It remains the standard of care for APL today.
What can you tell me about this year’s gala? What’s to be expected from it?
SW: This year’s event is special because it commemorates the fortieth anniversary of the year I founded the SWCRF with a $10,000 donation I received from an executive from the fashion industry. We honor fashion leaders every year and at the Gala we are announcing a new research program named in honor of Vince Camuto, founder of Camuto Group, who passed away of prostate cancer last year. Louise Camuto will accept the honor in his memory. Our musical guest is a rock legend, Roger Daltrey of The Who.
How did you wind up working with Cipriani? Are you a member of Cipriani’s Wall Street location? Or have attended a lot there?
SW: This will be our third year holding the Collaborating For A Cure Gala at Cipriani Wall Street. It is a beautiful venue that we selected for its fine reputation and it always delivers a top-notch experience for our guests. I’m looking forward to seeing our supporters there on Nov. 10.
Do you have any other events planned beyond this year’s gala?
SW: The Gala is our final fundraiser in 2016, capping our year-long anniversary celebration, but we’re looking forward to next year’s benefits, including our annual ladies’ luncheon, our golf tournament, A Hamptons Happening and the 20th anniversary Collaborating For A Cure gala. We never tire of raising funds for cancer research.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
SW: I enjoy relaxing activities such as gardening, golf, reading a good book and spending time with my family.
Northside Center's elegant annual fundrasising event honoring Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault, Bill and Carol Sutton Lewis, and Ted and Nina Wells. Lifetime Recognition honorees Alan and Susan Patricof. Proceeds benifit the early education, mental/behavioral health and enrichment programs of Northside Center.
More than 500 New York heavyweights, including former Mayor David Dinkins, news anchor Deborah Roberts, and Dr. Richard Firshein gathered in support of the historic and groundbreaking Northside Center on it’s 70th Anniversary at Cipriani 42nd Street last week.
The doctors were pioneering psychologists who opened the center seven decades ago to give all children — particularly from African American and Latino homes the best possible education and health care services possible.
“The value of giving these children an opportunity to pursue educational and artistic endeavors is priceless,” said Dr. Firshein, a longtime supporter.
American Express CEO Ken Chenault also spoke with great admiration and humility about the Clarks and their achievements
“We are all brown babies and children of Brown vs. Board of Ed and would not be where we are today if not for the work of Drs. Mamie and Kenneth Clark,” Chenaultsaid.
Today, Northside Center’s programs operate out of four locations in New York City two in Harlem and one in Brooklyn and the Bronx respectively.
The programs offers services in mental/behavioral health, early education and enrichment.
“This organization provides children struggling with mental and behavioral health issues early education and after school programs that focus on artistic and cultural enrichment,” said Dr. Firshein, a longtime Northside supporter.
Longtime Northside supporter, Dr. Richard Firshein with dear friend Dana Goldstein, wife of the organization’s Chairman of the Board.
Northside is partnered with the American Ballet Theatre, which offers formal ballet classes and movement classes, taught by ABT’s certified dance instructors, to pre-k children and exposing them to the art form as an opportunity to learn dance.
The enrichment programs entail a variety of cultural activities, from The Chess Program to the Karate Kids Afterschool Program to JAMM (Jazz Appreciation and Making Music).
