C-cap's 20th Anniversary Benefit Honoring Marcus Samuelsson

On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., at PIER SIXTY at Chelsea Piers, The Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), the non-profit organization that since 1990 has awarded high school students $28 million in scholarships, and donated $2.3 million worth of supplies and equipment to classrooms, will host its 20th Anniversary Celebration.

This year, C-CAP is honoring chef, author and TV personality Marcus Samuelsson for his extraordinary achievements and contributions to the culinary industry, his long time dedication to C-CAP and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of chefs.

Thirty-four restaurants will participate in this year's walk-around tasting to benefit C-CAP. The event will feature long-time favorites as well as the city's hottest new star chefs. More than 60 New York City C-CAP high school culinary students are expected to assist the chefs of these renowned restaurants. The evening's festivities will also include a silent auction including once-in-a-lifetime culinary and travel packages.

CBS2 News Co-Anchor Maurice DuBois will be the Master of Ceremonies, with Event Chair Christina Grdovic, Vice President/Publisher, Food & Wine Magazine. The vice-chairs for the event are Judith and Stanley Zabar and Susan and Richard Grausman.

The Benefit has become New York's premiere tasting event. "Each year our supporters gather at the sold-out event to enjoy culinary masterpieces prepared by New York's top chefs. While enjoying the fabulous food, they are supporting C-CAP's mission to provide underserved high school students with training, scholarships, and jobs in the restaurant and foodservice industry," says Richard Grausman, Founder and President of the 20-year-old non-profit Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). C-CAP has worked with over 200 culinary teachers, 200,000 high school students whom they've taught, and 2,000 C-CAP scholarship winners who went to college. We're proud that more and more qualified students are going into the industry."

As this year's honoree, Marcus Samuelsson will receive the C-CAP Honors Award. Marcus Samuelsson has been actively involved with C-CAP providing internships, job shadows and jobs for students, serving as a judge at the annual C-CAP NY Cooking Competition for Scholarships.

Past recipients of the C-CAP Honors Award include Drew Nieporent, Alfred Portale, Lidia Bastianich, Thomas Keller, Charlie Palmer, Danny Meyer & Michael Romano, Daniel Boulud, Jacques Pepin, Egidiana & Sirio Maccioni, Nina & Tim Zagat, and Saul Zabar & Stanley Zabar.

Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) 20th Anniversary Benefit is open to the public.
Tickets for general admission are $500 (limited availability); tickets for VIP admission are $600 and $1,000.

For tickets, more information about the event, and sponsorship opportunities,
call 212-974-7111 or visit our website at www.ccapinc.org.

Participating Chefs:

Chef Philip DeMaiolo, Abigail Kirsch
Chef Jason Weiner, Almond NY
Chef Marcus Jernmark, Aquavit
Chef Bill Peet, Aretsky's Patroon
Chef Brandon Kida, Asiate
Chef Christopher Lee, Aureole
Chef Jonathan Waxman, Barbuto
Chef Waldy Malouf, Beacon
Chef Laurent Tourondel, BLT Prime
Chef Dan Barber, Blue Hill
Chef Lon Symensma, Buddakan NYC
Chef Milton Enriquez, Compass
Chef Tom Colicchio, craft
Pastry Chef Dominque Ansel, Daniel
Chef John Fraser, Dovetail
Chef Ed Brown, eighty-one
Chef Fortunato Nicotra, Felidia
Chef Justin Bogle, Gilt
Chef Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill
Pastry Chef Nancy Olson, Gramercy Tavern
Chef Marc Murphy, Landmarc
Michael McCarty, Michael's Restaurant
Chef Matt Hoyle, Nobu Fifty Seven
Chef Ben Pollinger, Ocean