On Saturday July 9th, The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation celebrated their fortieth anniversary and their twelfth A Hamptons Happening, at the breathtaking 15 acre Bridgehampton estate of Maria and Kenneth Fischel. The SWCRF was founded by Dr. Samuel Waxman in 1976.
Notables included Marion N. Waxman, Laurie L. Schffan, Karen Amster-Young, Erica Fineberg, Chris Wragge and Kevin Berlin. Those honored were Sandra Lee, Jayma Cardoso and Deidre Quinn. Sandra Lee, philanthropist author and television personality gave a powerful speech about her personal but publicly known experience with cancer. She praised the staff at Mt. Sinai Medical of New York for their excellent and compassionate treatment. Jayma Cardoso, founder of the Surf Lodge and Deidre Quinn, CEO of the luxury fashion company Lafayette 148 New York were also honored.
Chefs were many, but the highlights included: honorary lead Chef François Payard, pastry chef, restaurateur and author; Chef Fernanda Capbianco, founder of Vegan Divas, journalist and author; also present were Chef Peter Ambrose known for high-end clambakes of Endless Summer Grille, Chef Greg Grossman, of Oreya, Southampton, wunderkind of the Hamptons; and Celebrity Chef Marco Barilla of Manna Restaurant and Bar in Watermill Square. The featured restaurant group LDV Hospitality is known for their restaurant Scarpetta of New York’s Meatpacking District and Montauk’s Gurneys which is even bustling year round. Also included were: The Savory: 230 Elm and Back Bar Grille, Carol Ann Daly; 251 Lex, 273 Kitchen & 8 North Broadway, Constantine Kalandranis; Antico Noe; Arlotta Food Studio, Mario Pecoraro and Chris Arlotta; Bareburger, Misha Levin; Hamptons Jam, Joe Cipro; Creative Edge Parties, Carla Ruben; Delicatessen, Michael Ferraro; The East Hampton Grill, Esca, Dave Pasternack; Hurricane Grill & Wings, Lobster Grille, Randy Reiss; My Sister’s Chef, Emily Costa; NewPop; Noah’s, Noah Schwartz; Old Stove Pub, George Gounelas; Union League Club, Russell Rosenberg; Saaz Indian Restaurant, Sameer Mohan; Seafood Shop, Paul Labue; Surf Lodge, Chef Chris Rendell; Tully’s Seafood Market, Gary Lattanzio. The Sweet: Nounos Creamery, John Belesis and Steven Ioannou; Edible Encores, Alissa Cohen; Erica’s Rugelach, Erica Kalick.
Event Sponsors included AmTrust Title formerly First Nationwide Title, Art Hamptons, Bespoke Real Estate, Champagne Taittinger, Hamptons Magazine, Jaguar Land Rover Southampton, Palm Bay International and The Independent. FlowerBox Wall Gardens and Designs by Mark Masone created more than interesting installations throughout the 15,000 sq ft tent and floral step and repeats. Performers on stilts provided by the National Circus Project, mingled for photo opps amongst the crowd.
On stage Dr. Waxman presented Jayma Cardoso and Deidre Quinn with crystal awards from Orrefors to thank them for their support with the benefit. Chris Wragge interacted with the crowd with a live auction which included highlights such as an Ultimate Spa Package at Canyon Ranch, a Dominican Republic Getaway and a package for two to see Hamilton, the award-nominated hit. Dr. Waxman and Chris Wragge were joined by Taittinger’s brand Ambassador and wine expert Chantelle Pabros who then poured Champagne into a rather large pyramid of Champagne glasses. Other beverages highlights included were: Chopin Vodka, Hampton Coffee Company, Montauk Brewery Co., Montauk Hard Label Whiskey and Plain T Boutique Tea Company, Chris Wragge, Sarah Siciliano
The SWCRF funds cancer research through it’s foundation’s group, The Institute Without Walls in order to share intellectual property discovered through research. This maximizes the use of findings in order to develop minimally toxic cancer treatments. In the forty years of support the SWCRF has donated over 90 Million in funds to over 200 researchers across the globe. SWCRF differers in that it uses its funding towards “cutting-edge research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer”.
