It was a evening fit for Royals and benefiting Dames: On Saturday, October 1, at Pier Sixty/Chelsea Piers Les Dames d’Escoffier New York collaborated with the 2011 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine to co-host a Tribute Dinner honoring His Royal Highness Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Managing Director of Bordeaux’s Domaine Clarence Dillon and culinary prince, Chef Jacques Pépin, Dean of Special Programs at The French Culinary Institute, host of 11 acclaimed public television series and author of 26 cookbooks including the recently released Essential Pépin.
The dinner, sponsored by Bank of America and emceed by Martha Stewart, featured a stellar lineup of French chefs and wines from Prince Robert and his family’s Château Haut-Brion wine estate, a label that traces its roots back to 1533. Guests started the evening with a Champagne Perrier-Jouët reception and savory hors d’oeuvres from Ariane Daguin, D’Artagan and Abigail Kirsch Catering. Dinner combined seasonal dishes with the French flourish of Chefs Daniel Boulud, Didier Elena, Laurent Gras, Alain Sailhac, and Jacques Torres. Wines included Château Haut-Brion 2008, 1996 and 1995 and Clarendelle Amberwine. You couldn’t have a better lineup of wine and food!
A silent auction of 72 lots including fine wines, dining and travel brought in $83,500, for Les Dames d’Escoffier New York’s Make A Difference Scholarship Fund for women pursuing careers in the culinary and hospitality professions.
Peter Morrell, Morrell & Company, presided over a live auction which raised over $50,000 for Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength, two of the country’s leading hunger relief organizations.
Jacques Pepin, who is also an accomplished watercolorist, created the art for the menu cover filled with food images in warm tones. The original artwork was auctioned for $4,650 to benefit Les Dames d’Escoffier New York scholarships. And the evening? Priceless!
Photo by Vanessa Trost
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