The 20th Annual Hamptons Happening, a highlight of the Hamptons’ summer social calendar, drew over 400 attendees and successfully raised $450,000—the highest amount in a decade. Hosted by Kenneth and Maria Fishel at their picturesque Bridgehampton estate, the event supported the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF), which leads international efforts to find a cure for cancer.
This year’s distinguished honorees included Arthur F. Backal, CEO of Backal Hospitality Group, who received the 2024 Distinguished Hospitality Award, and Chef Francois Payard of Southold Social, who was honored with the Distinguished Restaurateur Award. The 2024 Distinguished Businesswoman Award went to Cheri Kaufman, CEO of C iGive and Founding Partner of Kaufman Astoria Studios.
Other notable recipients were Stephen Kliegerman, President of Development Marketing at Brown Harris Stevens, who received the Distinguished Business Real Estate Award; Fern Mallis, founder of NYFW and of Fern Mallis LLC, who took home the Distinguished Fashion Cares Award; and DJ CherishTheLuv, Broadway Co-Producer & DJ, awarded the Distinguished Cancer Crusader Award for her 2024 Tony-nominated work in “Here Lies Love.”
The event featured a delightful evening of tastings from an array of top chefs, restaurants, and beverage companies, alongside an exciting live auction. Notable Attendees included: Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Arthur F. Backal, Chef Francois Payard, Cheri Kaufman, Stephen Kliegerman, Fern Mallis, DJ CherishTheLuv, Chris Wragge, Sarah Wragge, Kenneth Fishel, Maria Fishel, Alasdair Nichol, Father Alex Karloutsos, Jean Shafiroff.
Sponsors of this milestone event included the Theodore A. Rapp Foundation as the Legacy Sponsor and a variety of Liberty and Hero Sponsors such as Kenneth & Maria Fishel and Stephen Kliegerman. The event was chaired by Mark D. Friedman of Brown Harris Stevens and Jamie Koff of Fabric to Finish, with co-chair Bess Freedman and Journal Chair Erica Linden-Fineberg.
The committee for the event was comprised of esteemed members including Alexandra Adame, Karen Amster-Young, and many others, ensuring the event’s success and memorable experience for all involved. The full list of featured tastings and contributors to the event’s culinary delights is provided below.
The event committee includes Alexandra Adame, Karen Amster-Young, Chris Arlotta, Arthur Backal, Antonella Bertello, Dawn Celovsky, Deanna Ceriano, Priscila Chateau, Natalie Cohen Gould, Maxine Danowitz, Maria Fishel, Elena Gibbs, Latifa Hamra, Leslie Keidan, Dina Koutroumanis, Norah Lawlor, Lori & Scott Levine, Jessica Mackin-Cipro, Gennaro Pecchia, Christine Prydatko, Susan Santoro, Randi Schatz, Liana Silverstein, and Chelsea Whitney.
The Hamptons Happening featured tastings included:
Chef Francois Payard, Bellissima Prosecco & Wines, Nadel, Arlotta Food Studio, El Verano, Deeky Dawg, a La ModeShoppe, Magnolia Bakery, 317 Main Street, Little Sesame, David Burke Hospitality Management, Backal Hospitality Group, Versa, Riverpark, Lulu Kitchen & Bar, T-Bar, East Hampton Shucker Company, Dough Doughnuts, Amante 1530, Horse Soldier Bourbon, Night Inn Experience, Scott’s Protein Balls, Elegant Affairs, Wolfer Estates Vineyard, Good Eats, and Taco Mahal.
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