NEW YORK, NY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2008-- The "10th Annual" Careers through Culinary Arts Program’s (C-CAP) tasting benefit/event raised $600,000 for the charitable organization that provides food-service career opportunities for underserved youth. C-CAP manages the largest independent culinary scholarship program in the United States, awarding over $3.5 million annually.The event was held at PIER SIXTY at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan on Wednesday evening, February 27th, 2008. Thirty seven of New York City’s top-rated restaurants presented savories and sweets to nearly 600 guests. The Charmer Sunbelt Group donated wines and Nestlé Waters North America donated Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino. As this year’s honoree, Alfred Portale, Executive Chef, Gotham Bar and Grill received the C-CAP Honors Award, an original stainless steel sculpture created by artist Philip Grausman. Alfred Portale, has been actively involved with C-CAP serving as a mentor to students and participating as a judge at C-CAP New York’s spring Cooking Competition for Scholarships. Chef Alfred Portale is a true rarity in twenty-first century dining: a culinary master whose heart belongs to the very restaurant where he launched his career twenty three years ago, Gotham Bar and Grill. Portale defined contemporary American cuisine by drawing inspiration from New York’s vibrant demographic and is known for his loyalty to seasonal ingredients and artisan’s approach to cooking. The celebrated chef has garnered a total of four three-star reviews by The New York Times, a James Beard Outstanding Restaurant Award in 2002 and a James Beard Outstanding Chef Award in 2006. Past recipients of the award include Lidia Bastianich, Thomas Keller, Charlie Palmer, Danny Meyer & Michael Romano, Daniel Boulud, Jacques Pepin, Egidiana & Sirio Maccioni, Nina & Tim Zagat, and Saul & Stanley Zabar. The evening’s festivities also included a presentation by C-CAP Graduate Lasheeda Perry. Two days ago she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Pastry Arts and Food Service Management. As a result of her hard work, Lasheeda is about to start her first full-time job as a pastry cook at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dallas. Mr. Grausman announced that his daughter Jennifer Grausman has produced and directed a feature documentary film entitled "Pressure Cooker," which was edited and co-directed by Mark Becker ("Romantico"). "Pressure Cooker" follows three Philadelphia high school seniors as they run the gauntlet through Mrs. Wilma Stephenson's culinary arts class. They drive themselves under her strict guidance to opportunities they had never thought possible, competing in C-CAP culinary competitions for generous scholarships that can change their lives. Al Roker of NBC’s The Today Show was the Master of Ceremonies. New York City’s favorite Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit, Riingo and Merkato 55 restaurants served as Chef Committee Chair. The event was chaired by Carol & N. Richard Kalikow. Susan & Richard Grausman served as vice-chairs. This year’s platinum sponsors were and Joseph and Sylvia Slifka Foundation and Zabar’s & Co. The event showcased the talent of C-CAP Graduate Chefs--Rachel Lansang, Executive Pastry Chef at Aureole. More than 60 New York City high school students and C-CAP Graduates assisted the chefs at the event. The event was coordinated by Harriette Rose Katz Events/Gourmet Advisory Services. Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), established in 1990 by Richard Grausman, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, that works with public schools across the nation to prepare students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. All proceeds from The Benefit tasting event and auctions support C-CAP’s programs and services which include Teacher Training, Scholarships and Cooking Competitions, Job Training and Internships, College and Career Advising, and Product Donations. PHOTO CREDIT: ©Manhattan Society.com 2008 by Christopher London | e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com | tel: Private** MEDIA CONTACT: Joyce Appelman C-CAP National Communications Director | tel: 516-482-1016 |e-mail:Greatappel@aol.com **PRIOR C-CAP Events: C-CAP 2007 Benefit Celebrates Birthday of Lidia Bastianich | C-CAP Benefit 2006 Honoring Chef Thomas Keller |C-CAP Benefit 2005 7th Annual A Preview of Spring Dining Honoring Charlie Palmer