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

NOWONJae 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