Carnaval for City Harvest Gala : From Rio Vibes to Real Impact

Cipriani 42nd Street — a landmark of old New York grandeur with its soaring carved beams and timeless stone archways— was reborn earlier this weekt in a riot of color, rhythm, and generosity. City Harvest’s annual gala took on a Carnaval theme this year, breathing tropical life into the storied space and filling every corner with bold florals, warm lighting, and curated spectacle. The entry was exquisitely staged — creating a remarkable backdrop for the guests’ arrival, setting the tone before a single speech was made.

The crowd glittered — a glamorous mix of philanthropists, chefs, restaurateurs, and stars. From food-world titans to television icons, the guest list spanned industries but shared one thing in common: every attendee was a New Yorker, and every one of them was there to serve their fellow New Yorkers in need. Hosted by actor and director Jason Biggs, the evening raised enough to provide over 8.5 million meals — a staggering feat of community in motion.

A Glittering Guest List, a Grounded Cause

With the pulse of Carnaval in the air, the energy inside Cipriani was magnetic. The guest list read like a culinary who’s who, with appearances from Eric Ripert, José Andrés, Geoffrey Zakarian, Anne Burrell, Tom Colicchio, Stefano Secchi, and Simon Kim. Fashion icon Christian Siriano, journalist Katie Couric, and actor Jean Reno mingled alongside New York fixtures like Ramona Singer — whose signature energy added sparkle to an already glittering evening.

But it wasn’t just a show of celebrity — the night carried real meaning. The auction, led by the inimitable Harry Santa-Olalla, was a centerpiece of generosity, offering once-in-a-lifetime dining experiences from world-renowned chefs including Enrique Olvera of Mexico City’s Pujol — recently named one of the world’s best restaurants — as well as Jean-Georges and Cédric Vongerichten, Junghyun “JP” Park, Rich Torrisi, and others. Each lot wasn’t just a meal, but a memory-in-the-making — and every bid fed another New Yorker.

Nourishing a City Through Generous Hands and High Bids

This year’s gala came at a pivotal time for City Harvest. Food insecurity across New York has reached record levels, with more than 1.2 million residents struggling to afford basic meals. Monthly visits to food pantries and soup kitchens have surged by over 80% since 2019 — a staggering increase that underscores the essential role City Harvest plays in keeping the city fed. With demand soaring, the organization has scaled its efforts, rescuing nearly 83 million pounds of food this year alone and distributing it, free of charge, across all five boroughs.

Against that backdrop, the Carnaval-themed evening served as both celebration and call to action. Guests from across the city’s culinary, cultural, and philanthropic circles gathered not just to toast, but to give — united by a shared purpose to feed their fellow New Yorkers.

The auction, guided with verve by Harry Santa-Olalla, proved to be a showstopper. One standout? A private dinner for 20, prepared by Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin, which fetched an impressive $500,000 — a testament to the generosity of the attendees and the allure of an intimate culinary experience crafted by a master chef. The broader auction featured a range of exclusive dining experiences from acclaimed chefs, each raising critical funds to support City Harvest’s mission.

The Evening’s High Notes

• Mission Front and Center: From the moment guests arrived, the message was clear: this was about feeding New York. Every detail — from the honorees to the auction lots — circled back to the cause.

• Stunning Execution: Colin Cowie’s Carnaval vision brought warmth and life to Cipriani without overwhelming its architectural grace. It was immersive, elevated, and utterly transportive.

• Flawless Plates: The food itself — a fitting centerpiece — was executed with polish. Perfectly poached shrimp opened the meal with delicate sweetness, followed by lamb cooked just pink enough to melt, served with grace and ease to a packed ballroom.

• A Record-Breaking Moment: The $500,000 bid for a private dinner by Chef Eric Ripert stood out as both a highlight and a reflection of the room’s generosity.

Soft Spots

• A Lengthy Stretch: The speaking program and auction, while heartfelt, could have used more efficient pacing. A few segments ran long, causing the room to lose some energy midway through.

• Beauty with a Blind Spot: While the decor was undeniably stunning, some of the floral installations and design elements unintentionally blocked views of the stage, particularly for guests seated toward the back or sides — a small detail that made a notable difference in engagement.

• Audio Clarity: A few moments during the program were lost to ambient noise — particularly for guests seated farther from the stage.