Cancer Research Institute Raises $1.2 Million at Annual Through the Kitchen

This past Sunday, the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) held its 34th annual “Through the Kitchen” event at the historic Four Seasons restaurant in New York City. An event that attracts nearly 300 guests, it is truly one of city’s favorite gatherings. This year’s event had a special feeling within, as the venue will be closing its doors in under 80 days.

The event, originally conceived by CRI trustee Lauren Veronis, is held as a benefit for the CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and has raised over $15 million since its inception. Former fellows funded through the program have gone on to win the Nobel Prize and head major research centers and laboratories at top universities throughout the world. These scientists and doctors have made remarkable discoveries and have pioneered lifesaving new treatments for cancer and other diseases.

Each year, the event unveils a surprise theme paying tribute to the things that make the city and the country great. Most recent themes have included “Famous Hot Spots,” “Notable New Yorkers,” “Parades of the City,” and so much more. This year’s theme was “U.S. Presidential Elections,” and the restaurant was decorated stylishly with red, blue, and white. The tables were specific to previous presidents’ campaigns and were smartly covered with hats, buttons, noise makers, fun facts, and other themed items. A large inflated elephant and an inflated donkey, both sporting boxing gloves, sparred above the party guests, who selected red or blue aprons to wear depending on their personal political leanings before going “Through the Kitchen” and helping themselves to a fabulous spread of delicious international dishes. Among the menu items: DONALD TRUMP’S TANdori Lamb, LAME Duck, Whole ALEXANDER HamILTON, and Organic GREEN PARTY Salad, to mention a few.

This year’s event raised over $1.2 million and guests included: Tony Bennett, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Ann and Andrew Tisch, Richard Meier, Hilary Geary and Wilbur Ross, Joanne de Guardiola, Jet Blue CEO Robin Hayes, Dennis Basso, Deborah Norville and Karl Wellner, and Ray and Veronica Kelly.

Check out coverage of this event from Bloomberg News and the Wall Street Journal.