The Careers through Culinary Arts Program celebrated its 20th anniversary at Chelsea Piers' Pier 60.

Last Wednesday, the Careers through Culinary Arts Program celebrated its 20th anniversary at Chelsea Piers' Pier 60. The Program (C-CAP) was created in 1990 by celebrated cookbook author and educator Richard Grausman. Recognizing that many underserved high school students could flourish in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Grausman began working to enrich school culinary programs at the teacher's request. C-CAP puts educators on par with industry professionals by arming them with tools and the knowledge of proper techniques and identifies and nurtures talented students. C-CAP acts like a guidance counselor for these promising students, matching them to the proper culinary institutions based on their GPA, skills and financial capability. About 160 students are offered a scholarship to their school of choice each year, after proving their worth to judges and top chefs in the annual C-CAP Cooking Competition. In 2009, C-CAP generously awarded $3.2 million in scholarships. They also enable internship opportunities, job training and the ability to shadow high-profile chefs.

C-CAP graduates.

One such chef who has welcomed these students into his kitchen is Marcus Samuelsson, the renowned Ethiopian-born mastermind behind such restaurants as Aquavit, Riingo and Merkato 55. As a longtime member of C-CAP's Board of Directors and strong supporter of their programs, Samuelsson was an easy choice for honoree of C-CAP's 20th Anniversary Benefit, and the first Board chef to receive such accolades. Last November, Samuelsson was the guest chef at the White House for the Obama Administration's first State Dinner. This year's event chairperson was Christina Grdovic, the VP/Publisher of Food & Wine, while CBS's Maurice Dubois acted as master of ceremonies. The walk-around tasting format allowed guests to sample special dishes prepared by more than 30 star chefs.

Johanna Pruess, Bill Levine from Sarabeth, and Bob Labe

Lauren Cochran, Alexandra Galasso, and Suzanne Cochran

Al Stephens and Christine Lugo

Dr. Lucy M. Guglielmino and Neil Wolfson

Christina Grdovic, Marcus Samuelsson, and Dana Cowin

Wendy Fisher, Shaun Hergatt, and Brie Wilson

Alex Ray, Alison Veinote, Katie Wintemberg, and Jacqueline Peuble

Neil Wolfson

Jennifer Grausman and Deborah Grausman

Sarabeth Levine and Stanley Zabar

Allison Burns-Ferro

Richard, Deborah, and Susan Grausman

Ja-Laurel of Sarabeth

Eric Lemonides and Christina Grdovic

Susan Grausman and Mikel Witte

Joyce Appelman and Bob Lape

Loring Swasey, Sharon Sager, and Ashley Wright

Marcus Samuelsson and Richard Grausman

Anna Parlet, Lindsay Appelman, and Pastry Chef Dominique Ansel

Alan Stewart, Bob Mann, Barbara Mann, and Stanley Zabar

Christina Grdovic of Food and Wine Magazine

Jonathan Waxman and Tracey Zabar

Lindsay Appelman and Rita Jammet

Lindsay Appelman and Anna Parlet

Stephanie Desir, Fatoumata Dembele, and Maurice Dubois

Ike and Ellen Kier, Rick Grausman, and Susan Grausman

Alfred Portale

Rita and John Ryan

Joyce Appelman and Francine Cohen

Andrea Daniels and Bob Berger

Christina Grdovic and Marcus Samuelsson

Stan and Gail Bliefer

Cecilia Carter, Marvin Campbell, and Judge Adrienne Lotson

Sophia Gethers and Richard Grausman

Last Wednesday night in West Hollywood at the Chateau Marmont, Nicolas Berggruen hosted his 2010 annual party before the Oscars.

Troy Garrity, Peggy Siegal, Jane Fonda, and Richard Perry

China Chow

Stephen Dorff and Tommy Alastra

Chris Albrecht, Montana Coady, James Van Der Beek, and Kimberly Brook

Mini Anden

Dennis Basso, Jamie Tisch, and Michael Cominotto

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Brook

Allegra Pesenti and Farhad Farman-Farmaian

Chelsea Salmon and Nicolas Berggruen

Lucas Haas and Franky Levangie

Lydia Hearst and Nicole Hanley

Amanda Goldberg and Liz Goldwyn

Casper Adams and Catherine Fulmer

John Waters

Bianca Pratt, Christopher Getty, Matthew Mellon, and Nicole Hanley

Cynthia Wornham, Ann Philbin, Michael Govan, and Katherine Ross

Jerry Ferrara

Guinevere Van Seenus

Aura Cercel and Corina Marinescu

Alexis Sailor and Belinda Padilla

Gary Gilbert and Nathalie Walker

Jamie Tisch, Todd Meister, and Nellee Hooper

Julia Berdin, Dori Cooperman, and Danielle Levine

Devon Aoki

Bonnie and Caroline Damore

Franky Levangie and Gigi Levangie Grazer

Michelle Ouellet and Dangerous Dan

Happy Massee, Nadine Johnson, and Donovan Leitch

Christopher Getty and Bianca Pratt

Camila Olsson and Mark Leder

John Flanagan, Cecilia Peck, and Daniel Voll

Chris Coats

Laura Bickford and Richard Herning

Yves Behar

Carlos Souza and Andrea Dellal

Jane Morton, Mili Damnjanovic, and Emily Smith

Julie Henderson, Justin Melnick, and Katie Parfet

Orian Williams and Donovan Leitch

Kahi Lee, Stephanie Chao, and Mary Kitchen

Duncan Roy

Mike Medavoy, Irena Medovoy, Charles Perez, and Danica Perez

Olivia Sylvan, Amanda Irby, Esther Levy, Brie Harding, and Pernilla Fransander

Jan Milewicz

Liz Goldwyn, Sigrid De L'Epine, and Guinevere Van Seenus

Simone and Troy Garrity

Will Kopelman, Loree Rodkin, and John Kaplan

Jeffrey Soros, Taylor Stein, and Albert Haje

Theo Bottoms, Jan Milewicz, and Clara Bottoms

Nicole Hanley and Matthew Mellon

Taya Ladame and Nathan Rover

Sarah Howard and Ali Wise

Jason Pomeranc, Bee Poku, and Degen Pener

Samantha Ronson and Brent Bolthouse

Sam Orlofsky

Taya Ladame, Nathan Rover, Will Kopelman, and John Kaplan

Nazy and Fardad Fateri

Sarah Deanna and Shay Londre

Belinda Johnson

Sonia Cole

Nicolas Berggruen and Bob Shaye

Priscilla Woolworth and Paul Stephaich

Nicholas Lemons

Sante D'Orazio and Natalie Kill

Rob Levy

Ricki Noel Lander and Ed Razek

Riccardo Ruini and Happy Massee

Photographs by ANN WATT (C-Cap) & PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM (Berggruen).

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