The world’s top tennis players and chefs will serve-up a kickoff to the US Open at the 13th Annual TASTE OF TENNIS, to benefit New York Junior Tennis & Learning.  One of summer’s most anticipated New York nightlife events, TASTE OF TENNIS gives guests the opportunity to mingle with their favorite tennis stars and chefs while sampling an eclectic mix of specially-designed dishes that earn rave reviews each year.  Fresh off their gold medal performance in London, the most decorated men’s doubles team in tennis history, Mike & Bob Bryan will headline the event along with women’s world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, and top 20 men’s players Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia (No. 8), Gilles Simon of France (No. 12) and Fernando Verdasco of Spain (No. 18) (additional players to be announced).

 

Teaming up with the Bryan Brothers will be culinary expert, food writer, judge on Top Chef and host of Top Chef: Just Desserts on Bravo, Gail Simmons.  Widely respected throughout the industry, Gail directs special projects for Food & Wine magazine among her duties, overseeing the annual "Food & Wine Classic" in Aspen, the foremost culinary event in the country. Simmons’ expertise has been featured everywhere from various print publications to appearances on national television shows such as TODAY on NBC, ABC’s Good Morning America, and many others. Gail’s first book, her very own memoir titled Talking With My Mouth Full, was published by Hyperion in February 2012.  Gail also gives back to the culinary industry as a member of the food council for City Harvest, a local New York City charity that collects excess food from restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers and farms and delivers them free of charge to some 600 community food programs throughout the city, and as a founding member of Food & Wine’s Grow for Good Campaign to raise awareness for sustainable agriculture programs across the country.   

 

Holding court with Simmons will be many of the city’s hottest chefs, including Daniel Holzman and Michael Chernow of The Meatball Shop, Brian Ray of Buddakan, Emma Hearst of Sorella and Marc Murphy of Landmarc.

 

The star-studded charity event produced by AYS will be held Thursday, August 23rd from 7-10pm at the W New York in midtown Manhattan.  For more information and tickets call 215.925.7875 or visit www.bnpparibastasteoftennis.com.

 

The menu of notable chefs/restaurants scheduled to appear:

 

* Marc Murphy – Landmarc                      

* Julian Medina – Yerba Buena

* Craig Wallen – Spasso       

* Marc Anthony Bynum – M Bynum Creations

* Daniel Holzman – The Meatball Shop

* David Craine – BLT Bar & Grill

* Michael Chernow – The Meatball Shop            

* Chris Leahy – Lexington Brass

* Brian Ray – Buddakan     

* Peter Andino – Heartbeat 

* Marco Porceddu – Asellina       

* Jehangir Mehta – Graffiti

* Kerry Heffernan – NYC Chef, Top Chef Masters

* Adriano Ricco – STK OUT

* John Mooney – Bell Book & Candle 

* Fernando Navas – SushiSamba

* Wendy Israel & Angel Elon – Baking by Design          

* Emma Hearst – Sorella 

* Robert Deiaco – Armani Ristorante

* Inky Pak – Kyotofu

* Jonathan Waxman – Barbuto

 

The 13th Annual TASTE OF TENNIS benefits New York Junior Tennis & Learning, which is the largest tennis and education-themed community organization in the United States providing free services to more than 100,000 New York City youth ages six to 18 each year.  To reach its goals, NYJTL mobilizes the support of the community, corporate citizens, foundations, organizations and individuals who are committed to achieving net gains for kids on the court and in the classroom.

 

"2012 promises to be another memorable Taste of Tennis," said Judi Lerner, President of AYS.  "This year’s lineup of chefs is among our best ever. Guests will love sampling the amazing dishes they create specifically for our event. And where else can you get great food "served" by some of the world’s top tennis players! 

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