All in Good Taste

Lever House, the New York restaurant treasure that looks as though it was lifted from an episode of Mad Men, was positively buzzing tonight, as delectable food and wines were passed—along with a healthy dose of animated conversation—during Share Our Strength's annual New York dinner. Host chef Bradford Thompson was joined in the kitchen by Anita Lo, Terrance Brennan, Jacques Torres, Marc Murphy, Alain Allegretti and Michael Laskonis, all of whom donated their time preparing a sumptuous series of courses (paired with wines donated by Empire Merchants) to titillate the palates of patrons who had paid $1,000 or more per ticket. Patron proceeds, combined with funds raised during silent and live auctions, will be used to further the charity's goal of eradicating childhood hunger in America by 2015. Dubbed "A Tasteful Pursuit," the evening was the kick-off for a series of similar nights that will be held around the country throughout the year, in cities including Palm Beach, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. Quoting Mother Teresa, Share Our Strength director Billy Shore expressed why he believes that goal to be attainable: "If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt—only more love."

For more photos, click here.

Let the Eating Begin!

As night fell over the foodie mecca that is Chelsea Market, the epicures descended en masse. Marking the kickoff of the inaugural New York City Wine & Food Festival, tonight's open house at the home of the Food Network was a culinary extravaganza (and a sold-out one at that). Bobby Flay caused a paparazzi-like stir as he passed out burgers and posed for pictures. Simultaneously, purveyors including Ronnybrook Farm Dairy (which was freely distributing brandy-flavored milkshakes); Chelsea Thai Wholesale, (which delighted palates with a spicy papaya dish); and Yellow Tail, (which offered a glass of the good stuff around every corner) kept patrons happy on a night that foretold great things for this four-day bonanza. Apsen Food & Wine and South Beach Wine & Food....eat your heart out! All proceeds from the smorgasbord of events over the next few days go to support the Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength. For a list of the (sadly) mostly sold-out activities, click here.

New York Gets a Taste of the Nation

The ever-funky Roseland Ballroom was brimming with foodies this evening, as the Share Our Strength charity benefit Taste of the Nation brought some of the city's finest culinary talent under one roof. Among the restaurants represented at the jam-packed event included Eleven Madison Park, the Union Square Cafe, Artisanal, Tailor and Felidia, to name a few. Although no one who attended the evening's festivities went home hungry, the goal, of course, is that no child in America ever will either.

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.