Culinary Arts Program tasting event raises $675,000.

The 9th annual Careers through Culinary Arts Program's (C-CAP) tasting event raised $675,000 for the charitable organization that provides foodservice career opportunities for underserved youth.

C-CAP manages the largest independent culinary scholarship program in the United States, awarding over $2,000,000 annually.

The event was held at PIER SIXTY at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan on Tuesday, February 27, 2007. Thirty seven of New York City's top-rated restaurants presented savories and sweets to nearly 800 guests.

The dishes included Braised Baby Lamb with Spring Peas and Wilted Lettuce; Butter Poached Shrimp with Smoked Ham Potato Hash and Sauce Bacalao; Wild Mushroom and Morel Flan with Black Truffle Oil and Creme Fraiche, Wild Mushroom Broth; Black Cherry Ice Cream Float; and Calamansi Lime Custard, Chamomile Tea Meringue and Candied Kumquats.

Kobrand Foundation donated some of the most prestigious wines from the finest producers around the world including Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Cabreco La Pietra, and Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto.

As this year's honoree, Lidia Bastianich received the C-CAP Honors Award, an original stainless steel sculpture created by artist Philip Grausman.

Past recipients of the award include Thomas Keller, Charlie Palmer, Danny Meyer & Michael Romano, Daniel Boulud, Jacques Pepin, Egidiana & Sirio Maccioni, Nina & Tim Zagat, and Saul & Stanley Zabar.

The evening's festivities also included a choral group of young artists led by Deborah Grausman, singing happy birthday to renowned Chef Lidia Bastianich, and a presentation by C-CAP Alum Amar Santana, currently Executive Sous Chef at Aureole.

Al Roker of NBC's The Today Show was the Master of Ceremonies.

Chef Marcus Samuelsson erved as Chef Committee Chair. The event was chaired by Stanley Zabar and Tim Zagat.

Susan and Richard Grausman served as vice chairs. This year's platinum sponsors were The Charles Martin Family, UBS, and Zabar's & Co.