Leading NYC Chefs Added to REBNY’s Annual Event, “New York Forever: A Celebration of Our City,” The Biggest Night In Real Estate

In partnership with non-profit NY Forever, revamped annual event to include dynamic networking reception and food tasting experience including guest chefs Daniel Boulud, Michael Lomonaco and JJ Johnson

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), the City’s leading real estate trade association, today announced its new annual event is bringing on more of New York City’s top chefs to join a dynamic networking reception and food tasting experience that will bring together nearly 2,000 attendees from throughout New York City.

The event’s food tasting experience will offer an array of canapés from top chefs including Daniel Boulud, one of America’s leading culinary authorities, who will provide a taste of creative vegetable and seafood-focused cuisine from his newest restaurant, Le Pavillon at One Vanderbilt. Dubbed “New York Forever: A Celebration of Our City,” REBNY’s annual event will be held this year at The Glasshouse in Manhattan on June 23.

“The real estate and hospitality industries are both essential to the fabric that makes New York City such a unique place to live and work and such an unforgettable destination for visitors from across the world,” Boulud said. “I’m excited to join REBNY to celebrate the city and our collective efforts to create an even brighter future through the art, passion and community-minded spirit that guides us all forward.”

Michael Lomonaco, chef and partner of the highly successful Porter House Bar and Grill and recently opened Hudson Yards Grill, and JJ Johnson, the restaurateur behind fast-casual rice bowl concept FIELDTRIP in Harlem and Rockefeller Center, will join Boulud as chefs at the event.

“It’s exciting to contribute to such a great event alongside my peers, some of the best in the business,” said Lomonaco, a veteran of the New York restaurant scene who has helmed some of NYC’s most iconic kitchens including ‘21’ Club and Windows on the World. “The impact of the pandemic was felt similarly by both the real estate and hospitality industries, so it feels good to be able to work together as we all emerge stronger than ever.”

“REBNY is doing amazing things for our city right now. The real estate industry is such a vital part of New York, much like its food,” said Johnson, also a TV personality and author in addition to being a chef. “It’s wonderful to gather in person again and to find ways to make people happy with food. I’m honored to work alongside Michael and Daniel to help deliver an evening to remember for REBNY and its members.”

This year’s celebration will depart from the traditional black-tie affair and sit-down dinner. Guests will enjoy a zestful networking reception featuring an open bar and a food tasting experience that will offer a diverse array of canapés from these chefs. Beverage offerings will also be curated by Brooklyn Brewery, New York Distillery, Tenmile Distillery and some of New York City’s top mixologists.

A portion of event proceeds will go to the REBNY Foundation, which is helping to increase diversity and inclusion in the real estate industry through ongoing initiatives such as the REBNY Fellows Leadership Program in partnership with Coro New York and REBNY’s Internship Program in partnership with Project Destined and the City University of New York (CUNY). The Foundation also supports ongoing efforts by Project Parachute – an initiative seeded by REBNY members in collaboration with the non-profit community – to provide rental assistance and other support to vulnerable New Yorkers impacted by the pandemic.

Additionally, REBNY’s new partnership with the non-profit NY Forever on this year’s event will help to amplify the work of an array of citywide volunteer and philanthropic initiatives promoted through the NY Forever network. More news on fundraising and volunteer efforts will be announced by the REBNY Foundation and NY Forever in advance of the event.

“These are some of the most celebrated chefs in New York City,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “This reimagined summer event is a true celebration of our wonderful city, and no celebration is complete without good food. We couldn’t be happier to have this amazing roster of chefs join us as we celebrate real estate’s biggest night in New York.”

For more information on “New York Forever: A Celebration of Our City,” including details on how to purchase tickets and secure sponsorship opportunities for the event, see here.

ABOUT THE REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) is the City’s leading real estate trade association. Founded in 1896, REBNY represents commercial, residential, and institutional property owners, builders, managers, investors, brokers, and salespeople; banks, financial service companies, utilities, attorneys, architects, and contractors; corporations, co-partnerships, and individuals professionally interested in New York City real estate. REBNY conducts research on various civic matters including tax policy, city planning and zoning, rental conditions, land use policy, building codes, and other city, state, and federal legislation. REBNY regularly publishes market data, policy reports, and broker surveys. In addition, REBNY provides for its members: informational, technical, and technological resources; networking and charitable service opportunities; qualifying and continuing education courses; professional education programs, seminars, and designations; career-changing awards; legal advice; and a wide range of additional member benefits. For more information, please visit www.rebny.com.

ABOUT NY FOREVER

NY Forever is a nonprofit organization working to recapture faith and pride in New York by organizing and motivating New Yorkers from every borough and generation to participate in the city’s civic rebirth post-COVID. It aims to support the well-being of our city by encouraging and facilitating New Yorkers to participate in gestures big and small. For more information visit www.nyforever.nyc.

ABOUT DANIEL BOULUD & THE DINEX GROUP

Founded by Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud, The Dinex Group, LLC is a collection of internationally renowned and acclaimed restaurants with an emphasis on hospitality, from fine dining to casual cuisine, served at the highest level. A culinary innovator and iconic restaurateur, Daniel founded The Dinex Group in 1993 with his eponymous restaurant, DANIEL, growing it today to 12 company-owned and seven licensed venues around the world including DANIEL in New York City, Café Boulud New York City, Blantyre, Brazilian Court Hotel in Palm Beach, and The Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto; Maison Boulud at The Ritz-Carlton in Montreal, Bar Boulud in New York City and Boulud Sud in New York City and at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami; db bistro moderne in New York City and at the Marina Bay Sands Resort & Casino in Singapore; DBGB in CityCenterDC in Washington D.C.; and three Épicerie Boulud locations throughout New York City. The company additionally operates a commissary kitchen, an online platform named Daniel Boulud Kitchen, a catering business and the majority stake in Feast & Fêtes, one of New York City’s premier catering and events companies. Additionally, Chef Daniel is Co-President of Citymeals on Wheels, an organization dedicated to serving meals to New Yorkers in need; is Co-Founder of Food1st, in partnership with SL Green Realty Corp. responding to the COVID-19 food crisis throughout New York City; and is Chairman of Ment’or, providing grants to young chefs to advance their culinary educations.

ABOUT MICHAEL LOMONACO

Michael Lomonaco is the Chef/Partner of the award-winning Porter House Bar and Grill and cocktail lounge Center Bar as well as the soon to open Hudson Yards Grill in Hudson Yards. A veteran of the New York restaurant scene, Michael has helmed some of NYC’s most iconic kitchens including ‘21’ Club, Windows on the World, Wild Blue, Noche, and Guastavino’s. In March 2019, Michael opened a new concept called Hudson Yards Grill, expanding his culinary footprint to New York’s newest neighborhood. A well-known face to television audiences, Michael hosted “Epicurious” and “Michael’s Place” on Travel Channel and Food Network, and makes regular appearances on The Today Show and The Chew. He has published two cookbooks, The ‘21’ Cookbook and Nightly Specials. Deeply dedicated to community support and charitable causes, Michael co-founded the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund in the wake of September 11, 2001. He also actively participates in fundraising events that benefit important and worthy causes throughout the city, including City Harvest and The Food Bank of New York.

ABOUT JJ JOHNSON

JJ Johnson is a James Beard Award-winning chef, TV Personality and author best known for his barrier-breaking cuisine informed by the Caribbean flavors of his upbringing. Chef JJ’s signature cooking style combines culturally relevant ingredients and classical technique with a global point of view. At FIELDTRIP, his made-to-order rice bowl concept that debuted in 2019, Chef JJ highlights rice as a hero ingredient and showcases it in recipes sourced from around the world. FIELDTRIP’s first outpost opened in Harlem and has since grown to an additional location including Rockefeller Center and have plans to expand throughout Upper Manhattan. As one of the only fast casual restaurants on Esquire’s “America’s Best New Restaurants” list in 2020, FIELDTRIP utilizes sustainable ingredients and ethically sourced vegetables and proteins, creating a flavorful and diverse dining experience. The brand’s motto, "Rice is Culture,” was born out of Chef JJ’s belief that rice is the universal ingredient that connects us all and can be found at the center of the table in almost every community. Among many other partnerships, Chef JJ is a Mastercard Ambassador and a television host on Just Eats with Chef JJ airing on TV One’s network Cleo TV.