Massimo Bottura and Edible Schoolyard NYC Bring Joy at The Harvest Dinner
On November 17th, Edible Schoolyard NYC teamed with world-renowned chef Massimo Bottura to host the 7th Annual Fall Harvest Dinner to raise funds for a charity that is very close to our hearts here at Garden Collage. Edible Schoolyard NYC works to build organic gardens and kitchen classrooms at public schools in NYC’s most underserved communities– a mission we cannot support enough, as it strengthens our social fabric and encourages the kind of progressive community that we want to build for the future.
The sold-out dinner took place at the TriBeCa home of fashion designer Lela Rose and was co-hosted by Garden Collage CEO Daisy Helman and Culinary Chair Christine Muhlke of Bon Appetit Magazine. Chef Massimo Bottura of Modena, Italy’s Osteria Francescana (which is frequently ranked #1 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list) prepared a sensational spread of foods honoring Italian traditions of the beauty of nostalgia (Lentils Almost Better Than Beluga; Riso with White Truffle; The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna; Beautiful, Psychedelic, Spin-Painted Beef, Not Flame Grilled; Tiramizucca; and Oops! I Dropped the Lemon Tart were among the evening’s many delights).
The tables were dressed with Garden Collage-approved peonies and persimmons, and to kick off the memorable evening of social gastronomy Chef Bottura offered guests one of his modest but mind-blowing first bites, Parmiggiano Reggiano with Extra Old Balsamic Vinegar, while cocktails were shaken and poured by Made Nice Hospitality Bar Director Leo Robitschek; signature cocktails included Bread & Butternut (Reyka Vodka, East India Solera Sherry, Amontillado Sherry, Becherovka, Butternut Squash, Lemon), Tivoli (Milagro Anejo Tequila, Nonino Amaro, Cocchi Americano, Unicum Plum, Palo Cortado Sherry, Celery), and Sippy Cup (Hendricks Gin, Amaro Averna, Vermouth di Torino, Ginger, Lime, Sparking Water, Angostura Bitters, Mint).
High-profile guests from the worlds of food, fashion, and finance came together to celebrate the act of gardening and its enduring capacity to bring joy into the lives of so many people– old and young. Check out some behind-the-scenes looks at the 2016 Harvest Dinner, above.
For further reading, check out our article on Edible Schoolyard and their mission. To donate directly to Edible Schoolyard NYC, visit the organization’s website.
