Look To The Stars News: Mario Batali

Salman Rushdie And Michael Stipe To Host Charity Book Fair

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

March 21 will see The Lunchbox Fund hold its annual Book Fair and auction – hosted by Salman Rushdie and Michael Stipe – at the Piedmonte Room, Del Posto.

As well as the chance to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the most beautiful gathering of books to behold, the event will give you the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind handmade books created in collaboration with Ruth Lingen by Salman, Stipe, Sting, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mario Batali, Ben Kingsley, Yoko Ono, Tony Bennett, Shepard Fairey, Deepak Chopra and many more.

An online auction will also take place, which starts on March 20 and can be accessed here.

Call To Ban Shark Fins Gains Support Of Some Big Fish

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:30:00 +0000

On both sides of the world, the movement to ban the trade and sale of shark fin products has gained an impressive roster of noteworthy supporters including Leonardo DiCaprio, James Cameron, Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsey, Richard Branson, Yao Ming, Mario Batali, Edward Norton, and Chinese billionaire Zhang Yue.

In California, WildAid, NRDC, and The Humane Society of the United States worked with DiCaprio, Norton, and Yao to write a joint letter to Governor Jerry Brown, urging him to sign California’s Assembly Bill 376, which will ban the import, trade, and possession of shark fin in California. AB 376 has already passed both legislative bodies with bi-partisan support – and currently awaits the Governor’s signature. The letter, also signed by over 50 additional notables including James Cameron, musician Jackson Browne, and actress Rosario Dawson, asserts that the ban is “absolutely necessary if we are to conserve sharks and, in effect, our entire ocean ecosystem.”

John Mayer And Keith Urban Join Tiger Woods At Charity Event

Mon, 02 May 2011 21:05:00 +0000

Another exciting Tiger Jam culminated on Saturday night as John Mayer and Keith Urban took the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for a sensational concert which helped raise approximately $750,000 for programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation.

The 2011 Tiger Jam once again provided a VIP weekend for guests, including an exclusive clinic and Q&A with Tiger Woods, John Cook and surprise guest Darius Rucker; an evening reception; live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind luxury items; and a rocking concert from GRAMMY Award-winners Urban and Mayer. Joining Tiger Woods onstage at the reception was Tamika Mitchell — a third-year Earl Woods Scholar — who spoke of her experience with the Tiger Woods Foundation and shared her story of achievement.

Celebrate George Clooney's Charity Honor With Celebrity Auction

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

George Clooney was honored for his charity work at a celebrity-studded event in New York City this week.

The Ripple Of Hope Awards, held at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, were presented by the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. Clooney’s award recognized his work as a UN Messenger of Peace and his work in Darfur.

To celebrate the Ripple of Hope Awards, the organization is holding a special online celebrity charity auction, featuring lots such as dinner with Kevin Spacey, the chance to meet Andrea Bocelli, VIP tickets to see Ray Romano live in Las Vegas, dinner with Mario Batali, a meet-and-greet with Kevin Bacon, Luciano Pavarotti’s cufflinks, George Clooney’s slippers and much more.

Join Richard Branson And Mario Batali For Celebrity Charity Dinner

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for foodies is on the celebrity charity auction block – an ultimate evening of glorious food, vintage wine and witty banter.

Sir Richard Branson and Mario Batali are auctioning the opportunity to join them for an intimate evening and sit down dinner for twenty at Mario’s new Italian born artisanal food and wine marketplace – Eataly – in New York City. The winner of the auction and a guest will experience dining at Eataly in one evening with Mario and Richard at their table.

Hugh Jackman Supports Pediatric AIDS Family Carnival

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Children of all ages believe in sharing good times and making the world a better place – and that spirit of togetherness will be on full display at the Foundation’s 17th Annual Kids for Kids Family Carnival 2010 in November!

This highly anticipated, one-of-a-kind event is one of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation’s signature productions. It brings children and their families together with celebrities, artists, top restaurants, and corporate partners to raise awareness and critical funds to eliminate pediatric AIDS once and for all.

Brooke Shields To Attend Family Charity Carnival

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Brooke Shields is confirmed to attend the annual Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Kids For Kids Family Carnival on October 24.

This annual event is a major fundraiser for the charity, and has for 16 years brought families together to rally in support of the Foundation’s fight against pediatric AIDS. Last year’s event raised $3.6 million. The event will feature samplings from New York’s greatest restaurants, world-class artists and photographers, celebrities, and both old-fashioned and cutting-edge games and activities – all-in-all a great day out for the whole family.

Joining Brooke at this year’s event will be Nigel Barker, Mario Batali, Diane Sawyer and many more. Past years have seen appearances by Whoopi Goldberg, Marcia Cross, Mariska Hargitay, Heidi Klum, TR Knight, Vanessa Williams and others.

REM To Be Honored With Charity Tribute Show

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Rocker Patti Smith is to headline a tribute concert for R.E.M. next week.

The concert – which features 20 artists and bands performing the songs of the biggest band to ever come out of Athens, Georgia – will take place at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, March 11, and will include Throwing Muses, Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish and many others.

Proceeds from the show will go to three organizations that provide music education for youth:

Jon Bon Jovi To Be Honored At Food Bank Event

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Mark down April 21 on your calendars for the annual Food Bank For New York City Can-Do Dinner, this year honoring Jon Bon Jovi.

The Food Bank For New York City coordinates the distribution of food donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies to organizations providing free food to the city’s hungry. They work tirelessly towards their goal of feeding the hungry, and have chosen Jon Bon Jovi as this year’s honoree because of his efforts in making the world a better place.

The event will be held at Abigail Kirsch’s Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, on the corner of 23 Street and the Hudson River, and will kick off at 6pm with cocktails, followed by a dinner, live auction, and musical performance.

Join Celebrity Chefs At Food Festival Charity Event

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:30:00 +0000

One of the largest and most popular festivals of its kind, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is set to take place February 19-22 in Miami.

Now in its eighth year, the event combines the international appeal of top-quality food and wine from around the world with the international appeal of the worlds most celebrated chefs to benefit multiple South Florida charities.

The four-day event showcases the talents of the world’s most renowned winemakers, chefs and culinary personalities. Those taking part this year include: Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Rick Bayless, Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Tom Colicchio, Martha Stewart and many, many more.

Tom Arnold Joins Love Our Children USA

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Tom Arnold is certainly no stranger to charity work, and he now adds another organization to the many non-profits he supports.

Arnold recently joined the Board of Governors for Love Our Children USA, the leading national charity that honors and respects children.

Established over 10 years ago, the goals of the organization are prevention, keeping children safe and strengthening families. Its message is positive and filled with hope. Love Our Children USA has become the go-to prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the U.S.

Have Lunch In Style With New Celebrity Auction

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again – time for the Annual Celebrity Lunchbox Auction to benefit the Food Bank For New York City.

The Lunchbox Auction is a non-profit organization that runs a yearly auction of celebrity designed lunchboxes and splits the proceeds between the Food Bank For New York City and The Lunchbox Fund, a foundation that provides lunch to pre and high school children in South Africa.

This year’s auction includes lunchboxes designed and signed by celebrities such as Mario Batali, Beastie Boys, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Salman Rushdie, Cameron Diaz, the cast of Gossip Girls, Rachael Ray, Eva Mendes, Mike Myers, Ellen Page, Michael Stipe, Liv Tyler, Diane Von Furstenberg, and many others.

Join David Arquette To Help The Hungry

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Fancy getting to know actor David Arquette over a cup of coffee in Los Angeles, before helping those less fortunate at a local food bank or hunger relief agency? A new charity auction will give you the chance to do just that.

The auction runs from November 13-23, and is part of the Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Give Hope Campaign to help raise funds for and awareness of hunger. Also up for grabs is the chance to help Queer Eye’s Ted Allen to give back to the community by feeding the hungry at the Food Bank For New York City for an afternoon of philanthropy before joining him at Del Posto, the celebrated restaurant of his Iron Chef America colleague and Food Bank for New York City supporter, Mario Batali.

This is the second consecutive year Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi has joined forces with Feeding America during the holiday season to help raise funds for and awareness of hunger in America through the Give Hope Campaign. Feeding America is the largest charitable hunger-relief organization in the U.S. with over 200 member food banks nationwide.

Bono Wants You To Clean Up For Charity

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0000

It may seem weird – maybe even unbelievable – but Bono has designed a trash can and wants YOU to buy it for charity.

The unique bin is part of a new auction featuring a range of bins designed by celebrities and raising money for the Food Bank For New York City and the Chernobyl Children’s Project International. Joining Bono in designing the receptacles are a range of stars, including REM’s Michael Stipe, celebrity chef Mario Batali, models Helena Christensen and Christy Turlington, actress Mena Suvari, and many more.

The auction is part of a partnership between The Conran Store – an international chain of homeware and furniture stores – and Danish design company VIPP, who were the original designers of the classic pedal trash bin in 1939. The unique celebrity designs will be on display for public viewing and pre-bidding at The Conran Shop in New York (407 East 59th Street) from September 4, culminating in a live auction event on Thursday, September 18, at the Winston Wächter Fine Art Gallery.

For Mother's Day, Celebrities Cook For the Cure

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:26:22 +0000

There was a bevy of good will Mother’s days weekend in support of research for the cure of breast cancer, including not only the highly publicized Revlon Run/Walk but top celebrity chefs were involved with “Cook for the Cure.” Presented by KitchenAid, it is an effort by the culinary community and cooking enthusiasts to support and raise funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure .

Lidia Bastianich, Mario Batali and Sara Moulton (Gourmet magazine executive chef and Good Morning America, food editor) appear in the May issue of Gourmet to raise awareness and give credit to the women who inspired them: their mothers. All three chefs signed the popular pink KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer, which is being auctioned on Charity Folks through May 15th.

Stars Dish Up Italian For Homeless Charities

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:19:53 +0000

Top chef Mario Batali has teamed up with Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, Golden Globe winner Natalie Portman and former American Idol rocker Chris Daughtry to cook up a few Italian treats for a new online recipe book. Fans can download the recipies from the website www.CelebrityItalianTable.com. A dollar from every purchase will go to homeless charities.

This is not Batali’s first celebrity cookbook collaboration for charity. In November of 2006 he offered recipes to The Hollywood Cookbook.

Celebrities Fuel Robin Hood Charity Excess

Mon, 07 May 2007 20:19:47 +0000

This year’s Robin Hood fundraiser saw top-tier investors driven by good-natured rivalry and celebrity encouragement to give a massive $71 million to charity.

Individual pledges of up to $10 million were made, totalling around $40 million, and guests participated enthusiastically in an auction of unique and decadent lots.

Winning bids included $400,000 to sing a song with Aerosmith (whose singer Steven Tyler performed for two hours of the evening), $1.3 million for a 10-person dinner with celebrity chef Mario Batali, and $2.2 million for an insider trip to the Beijing Olympics.

The Hollywood Cookbook Launch Party

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 20:32:59 +0000

Stars and food converged at Kitchen Academy in Hollywood last night for a party launching The Hollywood Cookbook — a beautiful 271-page hardcover collection of sumptuous recipes, each accompanied by a large photo, from the personal kitchens of 20 celebrities and 6 world-class chefs. Five dollars from each purchase benefits 20 important charities dear to the hearts of the celebrity contributors.

The cookbook covers the spectrum of food and beverage, from appetizers, soups and salads, to main courses, desserts, and even cocktails. Michael J. Fox’s Barn Dance Chicken, and Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford’s Savory Fall Stew are just two of the 107 creative and simple dishes that can be duplicated in any kitchen regardless of culinary skill level. Chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Joachim Splichal, Nick Stellino, Michael Cimarusti and Rocco DiSpirito also contributed recipes to the book.

At the event, the students of Kitchen Academy prepared and served 20 recipes featured in the cookbook, each one tastier than the last. This reporter’s favorite: Door Knob Sweet Potato Balls (an appetizer) from designer Paige Hemmis of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Yum!