A Dinner to Benefit the Hetrick-Martin Institute

June 22, 2017

A Dinner to Benefit the Hetrick-Martin Institute

I love entertaining outdoors, especially when it’s for a good cause.

Last weekend, at the East Hampton, New York home of my friends and neighbors, Lisa and James Cohen, I co-hosted a lovely dinner for a group of nearly 100-supporters of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the nation’s oldest and largest LGBTQ youth service organization. James and Lisa have hosted their annual HMI “School’s Out” cocktail benefit for several years, but this year, they wanted to add an intimate dinner to the evening gathering. Chef Pierre Schaedelin, from PS Tailored Events, and I planned a delicious meal, inspired by some of my favorite summertime dishes. The menu included gazpacho, paella and grilled ribeye steaks - plus a buffet of delectable desserts. I was so happy to take part in this fun and successful event.

Enjoy these photos.

: Here I am with Thomas Krever, Chief Executive Officer of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and our hostess, Lisa Cohen. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Chef Pierre Schaedelin’s team from PS Tailored Events taped the dining tables together to create a smooth tabletop surface. http://pstailoredevents.com/

: Neutral linens and bright blue accents complemented the ocean views and beach atmsophere.

: Here is Lisa putting finishing touches on the colorful dining tables. Lisa is passionate about design and art, and loves to entertain in this beautiful home. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Simple yet elegant floral centerpieces adorn the tables. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com)

: Handwritten place cards directed guests to their seats. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Cheese straws and long, thin grissini added height to the tables and gave guests something to nibble on before dinner was served. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: The chefs set up a staging area in the Cohen’s berry garden to plate the first course – what a beautiful setting.

: WNYW’s Good Day New York anchor, Rosanna Scotto, and Galerie editor-at-large, Margaret Russell served as event co-chairs for the event. Here they are with Lisa. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: My event director, Heather Kirkland, matched the evening’s colors beautifully.

: My make-up artist, Daisy Schwartzberg Toye, posed with Jamie Unwin of PS Tailored Events before dinner started.

: The cocktail party and sit-down dinner drew hundreds of supporters. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com)

: Here is a lovely snapshot of our hosts, James and Lisa Cohen. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com)

: The first course featured fresh summer flavors – a delectable yellow and red gazpacho with crushed avocado, accompanied by crudité and heirloom tomato crostini. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Here I am with Jamie and Pierre – we stopped for a quick photo as the paella cooked. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Paella requires attentive care. Here I am stirring the rice with the seafood, chicken, pork and vegetables. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: I love paella – and it is such a great option for large parties. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: This 36-inch pan is perfect for feeding this large group, and the round grill ensures even heating during the cooking process. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Here is Pierre, who took over the paella mixing. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Pierre grilled ribeye steaks on a second grill. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: 100-guests attended the dinner.

: Here are Rosanna Scotto, Thomas Krever, Gerard Turner, Merritt Baer, Darra Gordon, and Ben Dixon. Merritt Merritt Baer CEO & Co-Founder TodayTix, which helps people find last-minute theater tickets. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com) https://www.todaytix.com/

: Wait staff served the first course. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Fitness and wellness entrepreneur Tracy Anderson also served as an event chair. Here she is posing with Rosanna, Lisa and myself. Guests went wild when Tracy auctioned off private training sessions—five people signed up! (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Here are Russell Pagliughi, Greig Todd, Thomas Krever, Bradley Silver, and Michael Franco. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com)

: The beautiful Sperry Tent created a lovely dining atmosphere. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)http://www.sperrytents.com/.

: Here’s Lisa visiting with all the the Hetrick-Martin supporters and welcoming them to her home. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Pierre roasted potatoes to accompany the steak and paella. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: The paella pan was stationed on the buffet table so that guests could help themselves. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Wölffer Estate Vineyard generously donated their delicious rosé wine. (Photo by Phillip Lehan) http://www.wolffer.com/

: Guests enjoyed the beautiful evening – it was a perfect night for entertaining outdoors. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Kevin, Daisy and Will Maerov took a moment from dinner to smile for the camera.

: William Li, President of Ralph Lauren Home, and Jacqueline Terrebonne, design editor for Galerie, were instrumental in orchestrating the evening.

: As the sun set, beautiful interior lighting created a lovely glow. (Photo by Phillip Lehan)

: Dessert was also served on a buffet. The table included rhubarb crumble, lemon mud pie, chocolate caramel tart, apricot tart lattice, poached cherry financier, fresh strawberries, short bread & whipped cream, caramel flan, and soft biscotti with coffee.