After 18 months and 89 amazing events, the 90th celebration on Jacques’ actual 90th birthday was the crowning jewel of the 90/90 Campaign. Jacques, Claudine, and much of the JPF team welcomed guests to the sold-out event in Jacques’ adopted hometown at an historic beachfront resort with Connecticut’s finest culinary talent.
Chefs Reneé Touponce, Emily Mingrone, and Terrance Brennan collaborated with the Madison Beach Hotel’s culinary team led by Executive Chef Christophe Santos on an elegant four-course menu with wine pairings. Bread service and petite fours by Pastry Chef Adam Young made stunning edible centerpieces, and the evening concluded with an incredible birthday cake created by celebrated pastry chef Ron Ben-Israel.
The raucous live auction featured a fun moment of chef coat modeling from Jacques’ granddaughter, Shorey Wesen, and raised the vital funds needed to reach the financial goals of the 90/90 Campaign. Naseema Gilson of City Seed Sanctuary Kitchen shared what Jacques has meant to her and the program participants she serves, bringing home the importance of the work being done by JPF Grantee organizations everywhere.
We captured a bit of the magic thanks to photographers Ken Goodman and Catherine Dzilenski, and you can see all of the photos from the once-in-a-lifetime celebration in our gallery (below).
It has been such an honor and pleasure celebrating Jacques with chefs and friends nationwide throughout the campaign, and it has been especially gratifying to see so much generosity in support of the Foundation’s mission. We are excited to continue doing the work that is so close to Jacques’ heart, and to keep celebrating him with Happy Cooking for people everywhere.
