Appetite for Good

This invitation-only event offers insiders the opportunity to learn about new trends and products in the beverage industry and provides a sneak peek of the Grand Tasting experience (the Festival’s signature event). Invited guests sample rare vintages, unique spirits and select tastings while networking.

This year, Miss USA, Alyssa Campanella, hosted a special Valentine’s Day cookie baking class benefiting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Chef Instructor Melanie Underwood and Miss USA led this feel-good baking class with a demonstration on how to make Lemon Bars.

Desi Shack is the newest quick service restaurant that specializes in serving skewered grilled Indian and Pakistani food in a simple customizable format: you choose your meal, your filling, your vegetables and your chutney. Everything is made fresh on site, including the chutneys and drinks.

The Bid Against Hunger is an annual event aimed at raising money for this cause. And with more than 60 of New York’s best chefs serving delightful seasonal dishes (and many more chefs supporting the cause) and some incredible auction items, the event raised more than $1 million.

“If I’m going to come out with a food product, it’s got to do more than just taste good,” says Robert Flam, C.E.O. and founder of Samba99.

The Chef’s Tribute to Citymeals-on-Wheels, appropriately titled “A Taste of Home,” did an exceptional job of celebrating family feasts, while also stressing the importance of sharing them with elderly individuals who no longer have the luxury of sharing meals with loved ones.

I had the great honor of attending a special intimate panel discussion with the Chef of the Century, Paul Bocuse, along with Chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Paul’s son, Jerome Bocuse. The president of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Dr. Tim Ryan, introduced Chef Paul Bocuse, highlighting his achievements from receiving and maintaining a three Michelin star …

Did you know that, right now, there are 35 grassroots environmental projects in the 5 boroughs of New York City? These are projects started by neighborhood groups hoping to inspire environmental action in the city through their efforts. ioby, which stands for in our backyards, is a microphilanthropy website that connects these projects and its organizers with volunteers and environmental enthusiasts who are looking to make an impact.

For renowned wedding cake designer Ron Ben-Israel, luxury isn’t only for those who can afford it. As one of the industry’s most creative and skilled cake makers, Ben-Israel’s life-like floral cakes are “designed for elaborate, once-in-a-lifetime events”. Now, hungry New Yorkers can enjoy these sophisticated and lavish confection towers as well.

With a name like Amber Rose, it isn’t surprising that she’s made a career for herself utilizing the fruits of nature. I discovered Orgo Cosmetics when I was at a wedding earlier this summer.