(Courtesy of Kaplen JCC on the Palisades) “Lavish Lunches,” an annual culinary experience that supports a broad range of JCC programs and services for senior adults in the community, will take place on Thursday, March 8, at 10:15 a.m. Funds raised at this event allow seniors to “age in place” and remain socially, mentally and physically connected to the world around them.
The morning will begin with a light breakfast at the home of Michele and Daniel Ross and will feature a culinary presentation by Michael Ferraro, the renowned chef and restaurateur of two trendy NYC eateries—Delicatessen and Macbar. After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America at age 20, Ferraro interned with several successful chefs, then joined New York City’s famed Four Seasons Hotel, where he refined his culinary techniques and went on to please the palates of the hotel’s most exclusive clientele at their fine-dining restaurant, Fifty-Seven Fifty-Seven. He later became sous chef at the Biltmore Room and executive chef at Fresh, a gourmet seafood establishment. In 2008, Ferraro took over the kitchen at SoHo’s Delicatessen, where he specialized in international comfort food that featured things he learned in his global travels. The restaurant was a huge success, and in 2009, he opened a sister restaurant, Macbar, which is solely dedicated to gourmet macaroni and cheese. Ferraro is a member of Zagat’s inaugural class of 30 Under 30. He has participated in national and international Food and Wine Festivals and been featured on Iron Chef America, Chopped, the Cooking Channel and Travel Channel, and a culinary trip he made to Taiwan was made into a documentary for the Discovery Channel.
Following the breakfast, participants will attend their choice of lunch, served in local homes and venues, where hosts and hostesses will provide a memorable experience, each with a unique theme. Selections include celebrity chef, meditation, floral design, mah jongg, mitzvah lunch and more! A number of the host homes will host kosher meals with all dietary laws observed.
Luncheon hosts and hostesses: Lori Capon and Josh Capon; Orly Chen, Orna Jackson, Mali Oelsner, Riki Shulman and Yifat Yechezkell; Stephanie Cohn and Jillian Somberg; Lorin Cook, Kiera Flynn, Susan Marenoff-Zausner and Alyzia Sands; Robin Epstein; Stacy Esser, Jamie Corsair, Lori Danziger and Alisa Messer; Marcia’s Attic; Merle Fish; Mindy Lavin and Iris Wormser; Dalia Lerner and Michelle Marom; Gabrielle Marcus and Lindsay Skulnik; Eileen Pleva; Elle Rubach and JoJo Rubach.
The presenting sponsor is Palisade Jewelers. Lavish Lunches participants who visit the store and mention the event by February 14 will be entered in a raffle (no purchase necessary) for a diamond pendant necklace valued at $1,500. The winner will be announced at the Lavish Lunches breakfast. Palisade Jewelers will also donate a portion of sales made by Lavish Lunches attendees before March 8 to support the Senior Adult programs at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades.
Proceeds from the event will support the JCC mission to provide seniors in our community with a wide range of programs and services, including a social adult day care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, extensive programming for active retirees, door-to-door transportation in wheelchair-accessible vehicles, hearty breakfasts and hot kosher lunches, programs for the arts, lectures and concerts, discussions on current affairs, exercise, sing-alongs and dancing, birthday and holiday celebrations, intergenerational programs with nursery school children and more.
Event committee: Co-chairs Lorin Cook and Brandi Rubin, Shirley Altman, Michel Blum, Orly Chen, Stephanie Cohn, Alissa Epstein, Merle Fish, Kiera Flynn, Jenna Gutmann, Michelle Marom, Jackie Pollack, Michele Ross, Beth Rubach, Jennifer Schiffman, Jillian Somberg, Francie Steiner.
For more information and to make your reservations, visit jccotp.org/lavishlunches or contact Michal Kleiman at 201-408-1412 or [email protected].
