The Great Chefs Event NYC

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Past Events

The Great Chefs Event NYC 2018

The Big Apple felt more like the Big Lemon at The Great Chefs Event NYC, when over 750 guests made the night a spectacular success to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) and the fight against childhood cancer. 

From the sumptuous food and drink to the thrilling live auction and the touching speech by childhood cancer hero King Singh’s mother, Shameeza, it truly was a night to remember. Your attendance means so much to ALSF, but even more to kids like King, who refuses to let cancer define him. King fights in hopes of a cure and your support is powering the research that can make it happen. To relive all the memorable moments, check out the photos in ALSF’s Facebook album.

This dazzling evening was made possible by the generous Presenting Sponsors, Northwestern Mutual and Volvo. Special thanks to Host Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and every all-star chef who donated their time and cooking talents.


2017 Lemon: NYC

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2017 Lemon: NYC event! The event was hosted by Chef Alex Guarnaschelli of the Food Network and Butter Restaurant. Over 650 guests came together for an amazing evening of full of great company and signature dishes prepared by 30 superstar chefs and mixologists.

It was a memorable event that raised almost $375,000 for childhood cancer research. Nearly $70,000 of that went to fund a new research project for neuroblastoma in honor of childhood cancer hero Tony Salerno. We also collected over $72,000 in our live auction full of spectacular items.

In addition to the delicious food and fabulous auctions, Liz & Jay Scott, parents of founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott, shared the Alex's inspirational story and everyone heard from childhood cancer hero Tony Salerno who shared his heartfelt story about fighting cancer.


2016 Lemon: NYC

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2016 Lemon: NYC event on October 4, 2016. The event was hosted by Chef Alex Guarnaschelli of the Food Network and Butter Restaurant. Over 400 guests came together for an evening of mixing and mingling in an intimate setting and enjoyed signature dishes prepared by 30 superstar chefs and mixologists.  

It was a memorable event that raised over $320,000 for childhood cancer research. Nearly $60,000 of the grand total went to fund a new research project for rhabdoid tumors in honor of childhood cancer hero Summer Semerad who passed away in September of 2016.

We collected over $65,000 in our live auction and some lucky people won a private dinner cooked by Chefs Alex Guarnaschelli and Marc Vetri as well as a trip to beautiful Belize.

In addition to the delicious food and fabulous auctions, Liz & Jay Scott, parents of founder Alexandra “Alex” Scott, shared the story of how Alex and her lemonade stands inspired a national fundraising movement leading to innovative childhood cancer research. We also heard from childhood cancer hero Brianna Mercadeo who shared her moving story about her fight against cancer.

Since 2011, Lemon: NYC has raised well over $1 million to help fight childhood cancer.  A huge thank you goes out to the chefs and attendees that made this all possible!


2015 Lemon: NYC

Lemon: NYC welcomed over 300 guests on October 27, 2015 for a memorable and exclusive culinary event that raised nearly $350,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and the fight against childhood cancer! Hosted by Chef Alex Guarnaschelli of New York’s Butter Restaurant and the Food Network, the event brought superstar chefs under one roof to prepare signature plates for guests.

The Live Auction alone raised $145,000, with a private cooking class with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian going twice for $17,000 and a private dinner with Chefs Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarón Sánchez, Scott Conant, Marc Vetri and Marcus Samuelsson selling 3 times over for $30,000 each. The Fund A Cure, in which guests donated directly to a research project, raised over $25,000. The presence at the event of many Food Network personalities, including Geoffrey Zakarian and Katie Lee, added to the excitement of the evening. 


2014 Lemon: NYC

Thank you to all who supported one of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s most exclusive events, the 4th Annual Lemon: NYC on October 14, 2014. Held at a new location this year, Studio 450 featured magnificent views to the 120 guests in attendance whose support enabled the event to raise more than $164,000 in the fight against childhood cancer!

The event featured a new format this year as 8 renowned chefs were assigned one course to cook and serve to guests. Cocktail hour started off with delicious appetizers courtesy of Missy Robbins and Hillary Sterling of the Bedford Cheese Shop followed by a one-of-a-kind 6 course dinner thanks to chefs Michael Anthony, Alex Guarnaschelli, Jenn Louis, Nancy Oakes, Bill Telepan and Miroslav Uskokovic.

The food may have been the highlight during the dinner hour, but it was the poignant words of childhood cancer hero Tony Salerno that guests will likely remember most. Tony shared his inspirational story of fighting neuroblastoma, including lasting side effects from the toxicity of his treatment, and the importance of supporting events like Lemon: NYC that raise money for childhood cancer research. Guests responded to Tony’s incredible story by funding a research grant in his name through the Fund a Cure portion of the evening.

Lively bidding on three premium live auction items added to the fun, particularly a sought after Brooklyn Nets experience that sold for $10,000. Thank you to all guests, sponsors and chefs who made this incredible evening possible and for supporting the fight to find a cure for all children with cancer.


2013 Lemon: NYC

Thank you to all who supported one of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s most exclusive events, the 3rd Annual Lemon: NYC on October 8, 2013. More than 200 people attended the event hosted by Chef Jonathan Waxman, which raised more than $335,000 for ALSF – the most successful Lemon: NYC to date!

Waxman assembled another all star roster of more than 20 renowned chefs who were randomly assigned to individual tables of guests to cook and serve them unique four course meals.

The chefs serving their dishes tableside may have been the highlight during the dinner hour, but it was the poignant words of 11-year-old childhood cancer hero Kaela Cruz that guests will likely remember most. Kaela shared her inspirational story of fighting osteosarcoma, including losing part of her leg as a result of surgery, and the importance of supporting events like Lemon: NYC that raise money for childhood cancer research. Guests responded to Kaela’s incredible story by funding a research grant in her name through the Fund a Cure portion of the evening.

Lively bidding on a number of silent and live auction items added to the fun, particularly an amazing chef package including dinner for 12 in the Bon Appetit test kitchen cooked by Jonathan Waxman, Marc Vetri, Marc Murphy and Daniel Boulud, including wines from the private collection of Bill and Rebecca Sanders. The package sold for $24,000 – twice. Thank you to all guests, sponsors and chefs who made this incredible evening possible and for supporting the fight to find a cure for all children with cancer.