Examiner.com had the opportunity to attend one of the marquee US Open kick-off events at the W Hotel in midtown. The 12th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis was a star-studded affair. This year’s lineup included US Open champion Rafael Nadal, native New Yorker and former Davis Cup Champion James Blake, and top ten players Mardy Fish and wife Stacey Gardner and Tomas Berdych. On the women’s side, the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis field was stacked as the top ten ranked player in the world Victoria Azarenka. The players cooked-up culinary aces alongside highly acclaimed chefs including James Beard award winning chef Michelle Bernstein and Anita Lo of Annisa.
Other chefs we spotted included Brad Farmerie, Scott Leibfried, Daniel Holzman & Michael Chernow (The Meatball Shop), Humberto Leon & Ashley Palma (STK), Marco Porceddu (Asellina), Wendy Israel & Angel Elon (Baking By Design), Kerry Heffernan (South Gate), Michelle Park (Kyotofu), Fernando Navas (SushiSamba), Mario Pagán (Chayote), Emma Hearst (Sorella), Luisa Fernandes (The Best Chocolate Cake in the World), Bill Moore (Push Cart Foods), David Craine (BLT Bar & Grill), John Fraser (Dovetail), Maximo Tejada (Rayuela), Shea Gallante (Ciano), Marc Anthony Bynum (M Bynum Creations), John Mooney (Bell Cook and Candle), Mark Vidal (Boqueria), Adrian Richardson (La Luna Bistro) Gigi Fernandez and Marc Anthony.
Other guests included A.J. Calloway, DJ Jesse Marco, Professional Hockey Player Brad Richards and Craig Carton. During the bash hundreds of guests enjoyed foods from all of the above fantastic eateries and chefs. The party was also sponsored by Rum of Puerto Rico, Diet Pepsi, Dunlop Sport, Riondo, Inside Sports and Entertainment Group, Tennis.com and SNY.
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