Cookies for Kids' Cancer's 4th Annual Chefs for Kids' Cancer, NYC

Cookies for Kids' Cancer's 4th Annual Chefs for Kids' Cancer Benefit | Photo: Carlie Tynan (MLC)

Affair: Cookies for Kids' Cancer's 4th Annual Chefs for Kids' Cancer

When: Thursday, February 16, 2017

Hot Spot: Metropolitan West, NYC

Deets: Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, an organization dedicated to funding research for pediatric cancer treatments, hosted its 4th annual benefit, “Chefs for Kids’ Cancer,” on February 16th, 2017, at Metropolitan West (639 West 46th Street), with all proceeds benefitting research for childhood cancer. 

The incredible night was co-hosted by Cookies for Kids' Cancer board members Dan Kluger and Christina Tosi, who brought together virtually every top chef (Missy Robbins, Alex Guarnaschelli, Michael Solomonov, Jonathan Benno, James Kent, Marc Forgione, Justin Smillie, et al.) to cook for individual tables. The sold out event raised over $1.2 million (and counting!) for new, improved and less toxic treatments for children battling cancer.

Following dinner, Christina Tosi rolled out an epic dessert course – a beautiful box of a dozen signature cake truffles that she created exclusively for each guest, including an orange "Tough Cookie" truffle in honor of Liam Witt, the little boy who is the inspiration for this magical evening and organization. Wines were selected and poured by Thomas Pastuszak, Sommelier and Wine Director at The NoMad, with fun cocktails conceptualized by NYC's top mixologists.

About Cookies for Kids’ Cancer

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded in 2008 by New Jersey residents Gretchen and Larry Witt after their young son Liam was diagnosed with cancer. The couple, inspired by their sons own battle with the disease, decided to take action and bake 96,000 cookies as a larger-than-life fundraiser to help fund a treatment in development. This extraordinary bake sale raised more than $420,000 and helped to fund a treatment children are receiving today. After four years, Liam’s battle ended but the foundation that he inspired has gone on to raise more than $12 million for childhood cancer research. Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease of children in the U.S. but receives very little federal funding. Gretchen and Larry Witt are on a crusade to change that statistic.

Through the concept of local events and online cookie sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted more than $9 million to date, funding six dozen research projects, including 26 that are now treatments available for children battling cancer today. The organization inspires individuals, organizations, and businesses to join in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising funds for new and improved and less toxic treatments. Since Cookies for Kids’ Cancer launched in 2008, there have been more than 6,500 events in all 50 states and 16 countries. Grants are peer reviewed by a scientific advisory board of esteemed pediatric cancer oncologists, with funds going directly to the leading pediatric cancer institutions in the country including: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dana Farber, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Texas Children’s Cancer Center. In addition, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is the largest single donor to the Children’s Oncology Group Phase I Consortium project. Their donation is twice the amount that the Federal Government allocates per child enrolled. The organization has been profiled in the The Wall Street Journal, TODAY Show, Good Morning America, NY Daily News, Family Circle Magazine and dozens of other local and national media outlets. In addition, the organization has received several national awards for its work. For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Spotted: High profile guests from the worlds of food, fashion, and finance included chef Mario Batali, model and founder of nonprofit Every Mother Counts Christy Turlington and husband, actor/film producer Ed Burns, radio host Elvis Duran, President of the NYSE Tom Farley, and more.

Hint For The Average Socialite: Individual tickets started at $1,500 and tables started at $15,000. For info contact: info@cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Get Involved: Those who wish to support Cookies for Kids’ Cancer can do so by making a donation, purchasing cookies online or hosting an event in their area.

What's Trending: @Cookies4kids #BeAGoodCookie @ChristinaTosi #TogetherWeCan #Chefs4Kids