AN INVITATION FROM MARIO BATALI…JOIN NYC’s CULINARY ICONS FOR A PALATE-PLEASING EVENT ATOP THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TO BENEFIT NEW YORKERS IN NEED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON…

New York, NY…October 26, 2010 — You’re Invited — join the Food Bank For New York City, Culinary Council Chair Mario Batali, and other culinary luminaries for an exclusive event — Eat•Celebrate•Support — on December 7th, 6:00 – 9:00pm, atop the Empire State Building (34th Street & Fifth Avenue) Manhattan.  Mingle with Mario, Anthony Bourdain, Tom Colicchio, Ted Allen, Andrew Carmellini, Brad Farmerie and many more of New York City’s most distinguished chefs, restaurateurs and culinary icons while helping fight hunger in New York City! 

Enjoy an evening of holiday-inspired cocktails and sumptuous hors d’oeuvres including presentations from David Burke Townhouse, Locanda Verde, Public & Double Crown, SD26, Riverpark, Morimoto, and others, and help celebrate the kick-off of the Food Bank’s newly formed Culinary Council. Bid for auction prizes including four tickets to the taping of Iron Chef and a private studio tour;  tickets to the Emeril Lagasse Show, restaurant gift certificates galore and more!  Finally, at this once-in-a-lifetime event, you’ll be present as the iconic Empire State Building turns orange, the color of hunger awareness. 

The Culinary Council, Chaired by chef/author Mario Batali, brings together prestigious leaders in the culinary industry to raise funds and awareness for the Food Bank For New York City and its sustained efforts to provide food and services for the 1.5 million New Yorkers who rely on them.   One in Five New York City residents relies on the Food Bank’s programs and services, including one in every five children.

Proceeds from this event, sponsored by Condé Nast Food Group and the Empire State Building, will support the Food Bank’s ongoing efforts to end food poverty in New York City.

Arrive in time for the ‘Orange’ Carpet at 6:00pm. Tickets are limited. Festive attire • $250 per ticket.  To purchase tickets please visit: www.foodbanknyc.org/go/culinary

Food Bank For New York City recognizes 27 years as the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs.  As the city’s hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of approximately 1,000 community-based member programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank’s hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.