Strength in Numbers

Share Our Strength, the charity organization created to battle childhood hunger in America, held the New York outing of its "Tasteful Pursuit" dinner series at Terrence Brennan's Artisanal restaurant last night, raising $110,000 for a group that has achieved phenomenal success since its founding, in 1984. More recently, since launching its initiative to eliminate childhood hunger four years ago, it has served more than 40 million meals and taught nutrition to in excess of 200,000 students. Part of a continuing slate of Share Our Strength dinners around the country, last evening's menu was prepared by host chef Brennan as well as chefs David Burke (David Burke and Donatella); James Beard Award winner Bradford Thompson; Aáron Sanchez, (Centrico and Paladar); chocolatier Jacques Torres; and pastry chef Deborah Racicot (Gotham Bar and Grill). The series, which is sponsored by Lexus and the Balvenie whisky, continues through September, with local talent in Washington, D.C., Nashville, Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas and Boston next on the list for delightful dining for a good cause.