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.
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/