Next50 - Chefs for the Future of Disaster Relief & Climate Resiliency
Whenever my busy schedule allows, I always try to attend events that support good causes and important organizations.
Last week, I attended one such gathering at The Shed - New York City’s new and amazing cultural arts center at Hudson Yards. The special event, “Next50 - Chefs for the Future of Disaster Relief & Climate Resiliency,” celebrated the work of Chef José Andres, his organization World Central Kitchen, and the chefs and kitchens that help provide meals to victims and evacuees of disasters around the world. Hundreds of guests were in attendance including former President Bill Clinton, filmmaker and actor Ron Howard, renowned Chefs Daniel Boulud, Eric Ripert, our own Emeril Lagasse, and many others - it was a truly memorable evening.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here I am at The Shed. The next time you’re in New York City, please try to visit the Hudson Yards area. You will love this new arts center, and the Vessel next door. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- The Shed Bloomberg Building was designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, and Rockwell Group. Its eight-level base building includes two large gallery spaces, a theater, a rehearsal space, an artists’ lab, and a skylit event space. Plus, the telescoping outer shell can glide along rails onto an adjoining plaza to double the building’s footprint. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- This is the VR Tunnel where guests could walk through to experience some of the work done by the World Central Kitchen. The World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural and manmade disasters. Jose founded the organization in 2010. Its main method is to work as first responders and then to collaborate and galvanize solutions with local chefs to solve the problem of hunger, immediately following a disaster. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- This is a display done by Farmshelf – a company that builds smart indoor farms for restaurants, hotels, and corporate food services, so they can grow fresh, delicious produce year-round, in a compact on-site installation. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- The evening started with some canapes. These are poached shrimp grits made by chefs from the Carolinas. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Signature drinks were also passed around for all to enjoy. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Here is a group photo of Executive Director for World Central Kitchen, Nate Mook, and the WCK team. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- Artist Catalina Garretón did some live painting during the event. Catalina is a contemporary abstract artist and designer based in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- There were also several chef stations, where notable chefs presented some of their favorite bites. These are apples with brown butter mousse, apple confit and frozen Armagnac sabayon provided by chefs Eric Ripert and Thomas Raquel. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Also served – bone marrow with white anchovy paste and salsa verde – a big favorite of the crowd. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Chef Rick Bayless, on the right, was also there to make his tangy spicy scallop aguachile with summer melon. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- This is musician Marc Roberge who performed onstage with his band O.A.R. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- Former President Bill Clinton spoke about the efforts of WCK and how the organization has helped so many people in so many countries including the US. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Master cellist Yo Yo Ma also performed. Yo Yo Ma continues to play as a soloist with orchestras around the world. He has recorded more than 90-albums and received 18-Grammy Awards. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- And next, award-winning journalist, and co-founder of “Stand Up to Cancer” and her own media company, Katie Couric, spoke. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- Singer Lola Lennox performed two songs with O.A.R. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- And then I had the honor of introducing Chef Jose Andres himself to the stage. Jose and I have known each other for many years. He’s been on my television and radio shows. Last April, we spoke at the Time 100 Summit, and last year, I visited his farm in Puerto Rico to learn more about WCK and all the work it is doing to feed the hungry. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Jose spoke about the places WCK has gone and the work still left to do. He also talked about his new initiative – the Climate Disaster Fund – his plan to eventually raise 50-million dollars toward disaster response and relief efforts. The event was also a nod to Jose’s 50th birthday, which he celebrated earlier this year. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- Tables with dishes from countries WCK has helped were lowered from above. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Here is a photo of Chefs Andrew Zimmern and Eric Ripert taking a selfie for their own social media platforms. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- And here is a photo of our own Chef Emeril Lagasse, his son, EJ and Chef David Slater. They prepared smoked duck and mushroom gumbo with black truffle. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Chef Daniel Boulud, Emeril, and EJ stopped for this quick photo with a bowl of black truffles. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Here I am with Chef Eric Ripert – it is always fun to attend events and catch up with friends.
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- Sweets were also passed around including these chocolate chip walnut cookies from Levain Bakery right here in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Here is a coconut panna cotta with dulce de leche sauce and toasted coconut flakes – a dish from Puerto Rico. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
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- Aerial dancers performed as guests tried all the delicious foods. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images).
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- And a team of Puerto Rican dancers walked through the space as a 17-piece band played. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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- And here I am with Jose. What a spectacular evening celebrating the humanitarian work of Jose and his World Central Kitchen. Here’s to the “Next50”! (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
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