Special Events

Careers Through Culinary Arts Program Tasting Benefit Raises $600,000--Chef Alfred Portale Honored

NEW YORK, NY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008--The 10th annual Careers through Culinary Arts Program’s (C-CAP) tasting event raised $600,000 for the charitable organization that provides food-service career opportunities for underserved youth. C-CAP manages the largest independent culinary scholarship program in the United States, awarding over $3.5 million in 2007 and aiming to top this in the spring of 2008.

The event was held at PIER SIXTY at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Thirty seven of New York City’s top-rated restaurants presented savories and sweets to nearly 600 guests. The Charmer Sunbelt Group donated wines and Nestlé Waters North America donated Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino.

As this year’s honoree, Alfred Portale received the C-CAP Honors Award, an original stainless steel sculpture created by artist Philip Grausman. Alfred Portale, Executive Chef at Gotham Bar and Grill has been actively involved with C-CAP serving as a mentor to students and participating as a judge at C-CAP New York’s spring Cooking Competition for Scholarships. Chef Alfred Portale is a true rarity in twenty-first century dining: a culinary master whose heart belongs to the very restaurant where he launched his career twenty three years ago, Gotham Bar and Grill. Portale defined contemporary American cuisine by drawing inspiration from New York’s vibrant demographic and is known for his loyalty to seasonal ingredients and artisan’s approach to cooking. The celebrated chef has garnered a total of four three-star reviews by The New York Times, a James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Award in 2002 and a James Beard Outstanding Chef Award in 2006.  
Past recipients of the award include Lidia Bastianich, Thomas Keller, Charlie Palmer, Danny Meyer & Michael Romano, Daniel Boulud, Jacques Pepin, Egidiana & Sirio Maccioni, Nina & Tim Zagat, and Saul & Stanley Zabar.

The evening’s festivities also included a presentation by C-CAP Graduate Lasheeda Perry.  Two days ago she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Pastry Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson & Wales University. C-CAP awarded Ms. Perry an $80,000 scholarship to attend Johnson & Wales.  As a result of her hard work, Lasheeda is about to start her first full-time job as a pastry cook at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dallas.

Mr. Grausman announced that his daughter Jennifer Grausman has produced and directed a feature documentary film entitled  "Pressure Cooker," which was edited and co-directed by Mark Becker ("Romantico").  "Pressure Cooker" follows three Philadelphia high school seniors as they run the gauntlet through Mrs. Wilma Stephenson's culinary arts class. They drive themselves under her strict guidance to pursue an opportunity they had never thought possible: competing in C-CAP culinary competitions for generous scholarships that can change their lives.  Participant Media, noted for its Academy Award winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," will serve as executive producer of the feature documentary.

Guests enjoyed the silent auction with over 30 items, including once-in-a-lifetime culinary and travel packages.  Among the items were a retreat to the renowned Zagat top-rated small hotel—Blantyre, New England’s premier Relais & Chateaux; packages at fabulous Canyon Ranch in Tucson; an in-home feast for twelve people prepared by Chef Marcus Samuelsson; and a day in the kitchen at Gotham Bar and Grill plus dinner for eight prepared by Chef Portale.  Sports enthusiasts bid on a unique opportunity to be a part of the Heisman History— to attend the historic black-tie event and witness the traditional awarding of the annual Heisman Trophy.

Al Roker of NBC’s The Today Show was the Master of Ceremonies. New York City’s favorite Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit, Riingo, and Merkato 55 restaurants served as Chef Committee Chair.  Carol and N. Richard Kalikow chaired the event, and Susan and Richard Grausman served as Vice Chairs.  This year’s platinum sponsors were the Joseph and Sylvia Slifka Foundation and Zabar’s & Co.  The David Grausman Trio provided music.

The event showcased the talent of C-CAP Graduate Chef—Rachel Lansang, Executive Pastry Chef at Aureole. More than 60 New York City high school students and C-CAP graduates assisted the chefs at the event.

The event was coordinated by Harriette Rose Katz Events/Gourmet Advisory Services.  Founder and President, Harriette Rose Katz, respected trendsetter and world-renowned event planner, served for 16 years as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, one of the world's most prestigious food and wine organizations.  She has received their Gold Star of Excellence. In addition, she is a member of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, The Wine and Food Society of New York, and is a fellow of the Culinary Institute of America.

Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), established in 1990 by Richard Grausman, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, that works with public schools across the nation to prepare students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. All proceeds from The Benefit tasting event and auctions support C-CAP’s programs and services which include Teacher Training, Scholarships and Cooking Competitions, Job Training and Internships, College and Career Advising, and Product Donations.

C-CAP BENEFIT 2008      Participating chefs and menu items included.