City Harvest Kicks Off Summer with Under the Boardwalk

Summer officially arrived in New York City this week as guests gathered on the waterfront for City Harvest's annual Summer in the City fundraiser, themed Under the Boardwalk.

The popular tasting event brought together some of the city's most celebrated chefs, restaurants, mixologists, and food lovers for an evening that felt equal parts summer party and meaningful fundraiser. While guests enjoyed incredible food and cocktails, the night's purpose remained clear: helping feed New Yorkers facing food insecurity.

Walking through the event felt like taking a culinary tour of New York. Attendees sampled dishes from an impressive lineup that included ABC Kitchens, Adda, Bangkok Supper Club, Bánh by Lauren, BLVD Bistro, Falansai, Gotham Burger Social Club, HAAM Caribbean Plant Cuisine, Hill Country Barbecue Market, Jean's, KORA, Manhatta, Nami Nori, Rezdôra, Massara, Roscioli NYC, The Tyger, Wayan, and many more.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the evening was simply wandering from station to station, discovering new restaurants while reconnecting with familiar favorites. Every corner offered something different, from creative cocktails to chef-driven bites, creating the kind of atmosphere that makes New York's food scene so special.

The beach-inspired theme carried throughout the evening, giving guests a chance to momentarily forget they were in the middle of Manhattan. Between the waterfront setting, summer décor, and festive energy, the event felt more like the start of a vacation than a fundraiser.

Notable attendees included Eitan Bernath, Samah Dada, Jeremy Jacobowitz, Neel Kajale, Jay Kumar, Kaitlyn Lavery, Meg Radice and Audrey Jongens of The VIP List, Lauren Tran, Cédric and Ochi Vongerichten, Melissa Weller, and other members of New York's culinary and media communities.

Beyond the food and celebration, the evening highlighted the growing need for food assistance across New York City. According to City Harvest, nearly half of working-age New Yorkers are struggling to make ends meet, while many families continue to feel the impact of rising living costs and reductions in federal food assistance programs.

The event raised enough funding to help provide food for more than 1.2 million New Yorkers, supporting City Harvest's mission of rescuing nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivering it free of charge to food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the five boroughs.

As guests enjoyed the final bites of the evening and watched the sun set over the waterfront, the event served as a reminder that New York's food community has always been at its best when it comes together to support its neighbors.

For more information about City Harvest and its mission, visit: https://www.cityharvest.org/

A Celebration of Tuscan Cuisine

Photo Credit: Lydia Lee

At his signature eatery, Morso, legendary chef Pino Luongo hosted “A Celebration of Tuscan Cuisine” last night. The event highlighted Chef Luongo's 40-year history and substantial contributions to the city's cuisine and restaurant sector, in addition to raising money for City Harvest and God's Love We Deliver. Many of the participating chefs, including Rocco DiSpirito, Margherita Aloi, Cesare Casella, Kevin Garcia, Patti Jackson, Maurizio Marfoglia, Soerke Peters, Gianni Scappin, Michael Schlow, Pat Trama, and Ciro Verde, have cooked with or been inspired by Luongo.

Photo Credit: Lydia Lee

Photo Credit: Lydia Lee

Photo Credit: Lydia Lee

The tasting event honored Chef Luongo's extensive heritage by serving iconic dishes such as focaccia robiola, bistecca alla Fiorentina, and an antipasto misto terra table. Guests enjoyed a full bar with specialty Italian cocktails and wines, and danced to the music by renowned D.J. Dipp

In Florence, in his mother's kitchen, Pino Luongo first developed a passion for cooking. He began honing his culinary skills at the age of sixteen while spending the summers working at his uncle's restaurant in Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscany. When Luongo relocated from Florence to New York City in 1980, he pursued his genuine passion—becoming a chef and restaurateur.

Luongo has operated restaurants in New York City for more than 40 years. He opened several highly regarded restaurants since his arrival, including the East Village institution Il Cantinori, Coco Pazzo, Le Madri, Mad 61, and his most recent venture, Coco Shack. With every new restaurant he opened, up to a total of sixteen at one point, he brought a piece of his native Italy to the United States, bringing with him the cuisine, the scenery, the heritage, and the culture of Italy. A mentor and former boss to the late Anthony Bourdain, Luongo is the bestselling author of several books, including A Tuscan in the Kitchen, Fish Talking, and Dirty Dishes: A Story of Passion, Pain, and Pasta.

“Coming to the US from Italy in 1980, I imagined a very modern trattoria serving authentic Tuscan cuisine. I never dreamed I would achieve success and recognition in the business I love so much,” said Chef Pino Luongo. “Throughout the years, I was lucky enough to mentor some of the most talented chefs cooking Italian food today. It gives me tremendous joy to see how many have come together to celebrate my passion for Tuscan cuisine and belief in giving back to the community that has supported me. For me, food, especially Italian food, has always represented a certain love and nurturing that we try to demonstrate in all of my restaurants. By partnering with City Harvest and God’s Love We Deliver for this special evening, I recognize and celebrate the tremendous efforts, love, and nurturing that both have given to many New Yorkers in need. We are so proud to be a part of this milestone evening.”

Proceeds from the event benefited two amazing organizations: God’s Love We Deliver and City Harvest. City Harvest is New York City's largest food rescue organization, assisting in the feeding of millions of low-income New Yorkers. This year, they will rescue 75 million pounds of food and deliver it for free to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community partners throughout the five boroughs. By reducing hunger and malnutrition, God's Love We Deliver seeks to promote the health and wellbeing of men, women, and children who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other major illnesses. They make and distribute wholesome meals for those who are unable to furnish or prepare meals for themselves due to illnesses. To learn more or donate, please visit cityharvest.org and glwd.org