05.24.2023
The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers
6:30 PM
ABOUT OUR HONOREE KAREN ROBARDS
Karen Robards
Join us as we honor Karen Robards (founding parent, committed supporter, and chair emerita)for her transformative years of service and leadership.
Karen spearheaded many critical fundraising initiatives to support Cooke’s mission-driven policies. Our need-blind admission policy, school building construction and renovation projects and the promotion of inclusion education best practices are a few.
She spearheaded numerous fundraising initiatives (the Fund for Diversity and the Fund for the Advancement of Inclusive Education, to name a few) that helped Cooke establish a need-blind admissions policy and provide professional development for teachers and parents in best practices for inclusion.
Karen’s name* can be found at the top of every annual fundraising list Cooke has ever published and throughout many annual reports. In addition to her influential role as a founding parent, Karen has worn many hats and offered many forms of support; She has been called a Cooke “angel,” “benefactor,” a member of the “leadership circle,” President, and now Chair Emerita of the board. (*We cannot forget Thomas Robards support as well.)
Her support is woven into the fabric of every important development and mission-driven achievement Cooke has ever had. Like gold thread, her foresight and organizational leadership, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and dedicated fundraising and generous support have been woven into the tapestry of diverse families that make up our special Cooke community.
ABOUT FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We are excited to be back together again for this cherished tradition! Food For Thought is a special evening that celebrates Cooke’s legacy of excellence in education.
This year’s gala will benefit phase two of Cooke’s Building Futures campaign—the expansion of our Transitions and Alumni programming. To provide these essential services and help our young adult students (past and present) thrive, Cooke will renovate our SoHo location to accommodate an expansion of programming.
Highlights of the evening will include:
• A delicious tasting menu of delectable cuisine will be presented by some of New York City’s most celebrated chefs (Cooke students will serve as sous chefs for the night)
• Guests will enjoy a top-shelf open bar
• Cooke updates and program highlights, and a lively pledge drive. We welcome our guests enthusiastic participation!
• All friends of Cooke (ages 21+) are invited to network, socialize and enjoy
We look forward to seeing you!
SPONSORSHIPS
PINNACLE SPONSORSHIP ($50,000)
Includes Pinnacle Branding for the following:
• 18 VIP Gala Tickets
• Sponsor 3 Cooke teachers to attend event
• 6 posts across Cooke’s communications platforms, highlighting your organization
• 30-second digital journal ad
• Step and repeat branding
• Logo and/or name placement on marketing materials
ALLIANCE SPONSORSHIP ($25,000)
Includes Alliance Branding for the following:
• 12 VIP Gala Tickets
• Sponsor 2 Cooke teachers to attend event
• 4 posts across Cooke’s communications platforms, highlighting your organization
• 15-second digital journal ad
• Step and repeat branding
• Logo and/or name placement on marketing materials
ESSENTIAL SPONSORSHIP ($15,000)
Includes Essential Branding for the following:
• 6 VIP Gala Tickets
• Sponsor 1 Cooke teacher to attend event
• 2 posts across Cooke’s communications platforms, highlighting your organization
• 8-second digital journal ad
• Step and repeat branding
• Logo and/or name placement on marketing materials
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS
Individual Ticket ($500)
• 1 ticket to gala
• Open bar
• Chefs tasting
Individual VIP Ticket ($1500)
• 1 ticket to gala
• VIP lounge access with dedicated bar and exclusive tastings
• Sponsors a Cooke teacher to attend Gala
JOURNAL ADVERTISING
Journal Advertising Specifications
All ads must be hi resolution of at least 300 dpi. Acceptable File Types: PDF (High Quality Setting), High Resolution JPG, High Resolution TIF, Adobe Illustrator (embed all linked images and set text to outline) Ad Specs: Display Size: 1920px x 1080px or 16”W x 9”H; All text should be at least 24 pt. For more information on artwork specifications, please contact: gala@cookeschool.org
30 Seconds ($2500)
• Full on-screen journal ad that loops continuously during the event and on event web page
15 Seconds ($1500)
• Full on-screen journal ad that loops continuously during the event and on event web page
8 Seconds ($1000)
• Full on-screen journal ad that loops continuously during the event and on event web page
PARTICIPATING CHEFS
[CLICK ON RESTAURANT/CHEF FOR MORE DETAILS]
BARBUTO • Heather Miller
BOULUD SUD • Christina D’Angelo
BROOKLYN ROASTING COMPANY • Michael Pollack
CHARLIE PALMER STEAK • Harold Moore
CHEZ MA TANTE • Jake Leiber
CONTENTO • Oscar Lorenzzi
FIRST COURSE NYC • David Waltuck
FRENCHETTE • Riad Nasr
HUERTAS • Jonah Miller
INVICTUS BAKERY • Alison Berkley and Molly Sebastian
L’AMICO • Laurent Tourondel
MELBA’S • Melba Wilson
NOWON • Jae Lee
OCEANA • Craig Dima
PIER SIXTY COLLECTION • Matt Tiscornia
SHUKA & SHUKETTE • Ayesha Nurdjaja
SPARE TONIC • Adam Kaye
TAVERNA DI BACCO • Maurizio Crescenzo
THE MUSKET ROOM • Mary Attea
THE PRESS CLUB GRILL • Franklin Becker
VIC’S • Philip Lorelle
WOLDY KUSINA at HUNGRY HOUSE • Woldy Reyes
SUPPORTER CIRCLE
Co-Chairs
Karen and David Waltuck
________________
Sponsors
Stacey & Andrew Feller
Noelle Ibrahim and Khalid Abu-Eideh
Lori & Elliott Kloper
Mindy & Brian Pfefferman
Alina & Ozzie Ramos
Diane & Todd Restivo
________________
Member
Nora and Alex Abularach
Anastasia & Ron Barth
SoJin Bae & Jay Kim
Robin and David Epstein
Wendy and Benjamin Goldberg
Sabine Barbier Goldman & Jonathan Goldman
Stephanie Heilborn and Martin Quirno
Amanda & Taylor Lukof
Cia & Bob Marakovits
Lisa & Bill Nelson
Carrie Peterson & Jay Lien
Sailaja Sastry & Jason Gottlieb
Lorna & Mitch Schamroth
Rosemary Suh Watts and Shawn Watts
Caroline and Eric Yoon
