One of our favorite things about what we do here at Great Performances is working with organizations and institutions that are making differences in their communities. Northern Westchester Hospital, one of the region's premier healthcare providers, is hosting their annual benefit at Caramoor, one of our exclusive venues. We recently had the pleasure of hosting a working tasting/meeting of the benefit committee, where we made plans for their upcoming event.
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) is a not-for-profit hospital that provides many community benefits such as charity care and community outreach for our most at-risk patients. While the Emergency Department is in the top 1% in the nation for patient satisfaction, the Hospital also provides a full spectrum of preventative and wellness services. The treatment that all patients receive is at the highest level, and includes cutting-edge technology such as state-of-the-art breast imaging and the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System. In addition to offering award-winning care, the Hospital has a significant impact on the community: it is the largest employer in Mount Kisco and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact.
The annual benefit is critical to allowing NWH to continue caring for the residents of Northern Westchester. Past events have made possible such developments as a new Emergency Department and the integration of state-of-the-art surgical service. The benefit not only raises money, but it also introduces new friends and supporters to the Hospital.
Great Performances is especially excited about being involved in the upcoming NWH benefit. Not only are we helping a truly worthy organization, but we have the opportunity to apply our creativity and experience as we help them re-engineer the format of their event. Instead of keeping to the traditional model of an awards gala with a seated dinner, we are invigorating this year with a new mix of lounge seating and a cocktail buffet supper. Not only will this set the event apart from other fundraisers in the region, but it will also draw new faces to the event as buzz around the benefit builds.
Any concerns the committee might have had about their guests being hungry without a seated dinner abated as soon as they picked up the first glass from our "Shaken Not Stirred" Salad Martini Bar, which featured seasonal delights as Quinoa and Sour Cherry with a Sherry Lemon Twist and Green Beans with Scallions and Citrus with Fire Roasted Pepper Coulis. Tasting plates included Braised Short Ribs of Beef with Soft Grits and a Meaux Mustard Sauce, a Mushroom Beggars Purse with Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, and Wild Striped Bass with Corn Creme Brulee. The committee also sampled offerings from various stations, including a selection of dumplings, Miniature Chicken Pot Pie, Carved Porterhouse Steak with Tamarind Steak Sauce, Creamed Spinach and a selection from The Potato Bar (Smooth Yukon Golds with Gruyere and Applewood Smoked Bacon, Fingerling Tostones with Pepper Relish, and Spicy Waffle Fries with Chili and Cheddar).
Because Northern Westchester Hospital has such significant ties with their community, our menu will also showcase generous donations from local restaurants including Q Restaurant and Bar, Ladle of Love, and Plum Plums, as well as beverage donations from Pepsi Cola of the Hudson Valley and wine from Polaner Selections. The centerpieces will be creative pieces featuring whole fruit that will be donated to a local non-profit organization. Highlighting the Hospital's relationships with these local businesses and organizations strengthens its connections to other members of the community.
If the contented smiles and empty plates at the tasting were any indication of the event's success, the benefit promises to be a night to remember.
Tickets are available to the Northern Westchester Hospital Benefit on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Caramoor. Information about the event can also be found on Facebook at Northern Westchester Hospital's Facebook page or Twitter at NWHospital