C-CAP's annual gala nets $500K for high-school students

Nation's Restaurant News, March 15, 2004 by Erica Duecy

NEW YORK -- Careers Through Culinary Arts Program, or C-CAP, recently held its annual benefit gala at Chelsea Piers here, raising about $500,000 for the nonprofit organization. C-CAP is dedicated to providing underserved high-school students with a training regimen, scholarships and jobs in the restaurant and foodservice industries.

More than 600 guests attended the event, which included a walk-around tasting and silent auction. Approximately three dozen of New York's top chefs, paired with C-CAP students, prepared sweet and savory dishes for the guests. Participating restaurants included Daniel, Union Square Cafe, Jean Georges and Alain Ducasse.

Danny Meyer, president of Union Square Hospitality Group, and Michael Romano, executive chef and partner at USHG, were honored for "their industry leadership, their dedication to excellence" and "the commitment they share with C-CAP to nurture the next generation of American chefs," said Richard Grausman, C-CAP founder and president.

Above, from left: Florian Bellanger, executive pastry chef of Fauchon, with colleague Ludovic Augendre

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Above, from left: JUdson Grill executive chef Bill Telepan, with cook Martin Bahan, C-CAP student Chris Isola and cook Manuel Iriano

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Left, from left: Rick Smilow, president of The Institute of Culinary Education; Daniel Boulud of New York's Daniel; Danny Meyer, president of Union Square Hospitality Group; and Richard Grausman, president and founder of C-CAP

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Below, from left: C-CAP student Jonathan Yates with Wylie Dufresne, executive chef of WD-50

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Above, from left: Susan Church, C-CAP college and career adviser; Carlos Osorio, C-CAP student; and Al Roker of NBC's "Today" show, who presided as master of ceremonies for the event

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Right, from left: Meyer and Michael Romano of Union Square Hospitality Group received the C-CAP Honors Award during the event.

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