2012 C-CAP Benefit

Michael and Kim McCarty

This year’s annual C-CAP benefit brought more than 800 guests together to savor an evening of signature dishes presented by 38 of New York’s top chefs, with more than 60 New York City C-CAP high school culinary students and graduates, who assisted the chefs of these renowned restaurants. The evening’s festivities honored Michael McCarty, Proprietor of Michael’s NY and Michael’s Santa Monica.

“This year, C-CAP was thrilled to honor restaurateur, art collector, entrepreneur, vintner, and chef Michael McCarty for his remarkable achievements and contributions to the culinary industry and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of chefs,” says C-CAP’s founder and chairman, Richard Grausman. “Having Bette Midler and Martin von Haselberg as honorary chairs of this event was a tribute to Michael’s outstanding career.”

CBS2 News Co-Anchor Kristine Johnson was the Master of Ceremonies. Sylva Senat, a C-CAP alumnus and Executive Chef of Tashan, the new, highly acclaimed Indian fusion restaurant in Philadelphia, was the C-CAP graduate speaker. Guests had the opportunity to meet Wilma Stephenson and Fatoumata Dembele, two of the stars of the Emmy nominated documentary Pressure Cooker, directed by Jennifer Grausman & Mark Becker, which focused on a culinary arts teacher in Philadelphia and how she improved the lives of her students through the C-CAP program.

Thank you to the people of New York for coming out to show your support – the event was the most successful in C-CAP’s history raising over $900,000. All of the funds raised go to support C-CAPs not-for-profit mission of providing scholarships, education, and career opportunities in the culinary arts to underserved youth.

We are grateful to the chefs and restaurants that provided the evening’s fare, including:

Chef Chair: Marcus Samuelsson, Red Rooster

Chef Missy Robbins, A Voce Columbus

Chef Philip DeMaiolo, Abigail Kirsch PIER SIXTY

Chef George Mendes, Aldea

Chef Jason Weiner, Almond

Chef Toni Robertson, Asiate

Chef Yuhi Fujinaga, Bar Basque

Chef Jonathan Waxman, Barbuto

Chef Waldy Malouf, Beacon

Chef Philippe Bertineau, Benoit

Chef Clifford Crooks, BLT Steak