City Harvest Shows Chelsea What Summer Tastes Like
By Francesca Bartolomey 
July 2, 2010 
14 Comments
On Tuesday, June 22, Patrick and I found ourselves at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea for the 9th annual Summer in the City event hosted by Generation Harvest – the young professionals offshoot of City Harvest.
To the left was a VIP room and the Chris Washburne Quartet. To the right was a stage set up for a band. In the center and lining the walls were tables upon tables displaying the tastiest morsels from the city’s best restaurants and most talented chefs. Among the greats present were DaSilvano’s Silvano Marchetto (who served an artichoke frittata), DuMont Restaurant’s Paul Corsentino (who brought shrimp couscous salad drizzled with tomato vinaigrette), New Leaf Café Restaurant & Bar’s Scott Campbell (curry spiced duck with Hudson Valley grain and vegetable salad), and Jimmy’s No. 43’s Jimmy Carbone (a yuuuummy Ronny Brook panna cotta topped with Paisley Farm maple syrup).
While Patrick was busy drooling over the many talented chefs present, I couldn’t help but notice this incredibly gorgeous woman walking around. “There’s no way that woman isn’t a model,†I said. I was sort of right. Moments later, an event organizer brought her over and introduced her as the one and only Stefania Fernandez – better known as MISS UNIVERSE.
Naturally, I jumped at the chance to have my photo taken with her which Patrick quickly snapped. I offered to take one of him with her, but he declined. As I wondered what kind of recent head trauma he had experienced that impaired his judgment so greatly, Miss Universe was whisked away to have her picture taken with Marc Murphy of Ditch Plains (who served up a basic guilty pleasure: hot dogs topped with creamy mac and cheese).
Once she was out of earshot, I turned to Patrick and screeched: “WHY didn’t you let me take your picture with her?â€
As usual confused, he replied, “Well, who is she?†Apparently he hadn’t heard her introduction over the din of the crowd. Once he was properly informed of her identity we tore through the crowd after her like a couple of rabid teenagers after a Jonas Brother. Or a Bieber. [EDITOR's NOTE: Patrick: Sorry fan girls but I HATE JUSTIN BIEBER] Or whoever the kids are hyperventilating over these days.
Anyway. Our brush with celebrity aside, the event was a blast. Although I’d love to mention all the wonderful restaurants whose dishes I sampled, it’s simply not possible given the scale of the event. But here are a few of my favorites:
Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding. There isn’t much to say other than just…wow. I helped myself to two cups of this amazing stuff. (They were small, okay?!)
I felt slightly guilty but DAMN – Delicatessen made an incredible foie gras and beef short rib dumpling in a mélange of summer vegetables and spiced consommé. I don’t really know what any of that means except that it was deliciousness wrapped up tidily in a steamed dumpling.
Apart from their traditional seafood fare, Oceana offered a peanut butter apple cake prepared by executive pastry chef Jansen Chan.
And of course, after hearing about Gabe Thompson’s lamb ragu sliders, I definitely had to try one. I’m not sure if they were better than the tripe sliders would have been, but I enjoyed their spicy kick.
I left shortly after the karaoke began – yes, there was karaoke – but all in all, it was a great event. A lot of talented chefs came out and were eager to speak with us both about their dishes and about their commitment to philanthropy which is, of course, our bread and butter here at Appetite for Good.
Photos by Patrick Chang for Appetite for Good.
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These are amazing pictures. The ability of these chefs to turn even something as humble as a hot dog and mac and cheese into a gourmet event is mind blowing. Thanks so much for taking the time to snap all these pictures and share them and the story with us.
Patrick took these fantastic pictures — I’m glad you liked them!
Miss Universe! Cool! Was she eating?
Yeah, I actually did see her eat some kind of a taco thing!
wow! what a great story and wonderful taste tempting pictures. Love it!
Thanks for stopping by!
What a spread! It looks as though this was a fantastic event.
It really was a great time.
The photos just invited me to the event. Stunning – I could have happily eaten my way through the summer clebration!
Me too!
The food looks outrageous! I have to say, I know Miss Universe is great, but I would be there for the food! Wow! Those hot dogs looked so good. I mean, it’s childhood food made chic. Can’t get better than that. Besides, aren’t we all just looking for reasons to eat kiddie food?
Yup — and no better excuse than kiddie food made by Marc Murphy.
The food looks great…photos too:)
Thanks! And thanks for reading!