At Chelsea Piers last month, SHARE, the New York City-based national nonprofit that supports the community of women affected by ovarian and breast cancer and their loved ones, celebrated the 16th Anniversary of A Second Helping of Life, with the annual tasting benefit that featured 27 of New York City’s celebrity women chefs paired with ‘celebrity’ women sous chefs from theatre, television and print media.
Hosted by ABC 20/20’s Amy Robach, herself a breast cancer survivor, the SHARE event honored Sandra Lee, television chef and star of 2018 documentary Rx: Early Detection, A Cancer Journey with Sandra Lee, for her work in the national expansion of access to affordable breast screenings, and Andrea Jung, President and CEO Grameen America, for her work in the cancer community.
“Volunteering for SHARE is an honor. Being in the restaurant business, I feel that I have a commitment to the community around me and so does SHARE. Each year they make a difference in the lives of thousands of women with breast and ovarian cancer,” said Barbara Sibley, Executive Chef of the event. “The Second Helping of Life Benefit is also important because it is inspiring and empowering to see all the fabulous women chefs and celebrities that come together to support SHARE and their mission. In fact, I bring my daughter every year!”
For over four decades, SHARE has provided dedicated, experienced support, and in the last year alone, touched over 190,000 people with their programs.
“When SHARE’s executive director approached me in 2003 about creating a fundraiser with guest chefs, my first reaction was to make it about women chefs stepping up to help other women impacted by cancer. Adding guest celebrity sous chefs provided a way to get more women involved and give the event a fun spin. We all know at least someone- or sadly more- who has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. Little did I know I would be reaching out to SHARE for support when I faced by own breast cancer diagnosis in 2009. What SHARE does to help women – and their loved ones- through a difficult time is so valuable,” said Melanie Young, author, radio host and breast cancer survivor.
To date, “A Second Helping of Life” has raised close to $6.5 million for SHARE. This year’s event raised over $500,000.
The participating women chefs included:
Barbara Sibley, La Palapa Cocina Mexicana; Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh; Alison Awerbuch, AK Catering; Rebecca Charles, Pearl Oyster Bar; Alex Guarnaschelli, Butter; Abigail Hitchcock, Camaje; Sara Jenkins, Porsena; Kiersten and Krista Gormeley, Shaka Bowl; Donna Lenard & Preston Madison, Il Buco; Carly Nelson, The Norwood Club; Mina Newman, Sen Sakana; Sawako Okochi, Shalom Japan; Alex Raji, Txikito; Surbhi Sahni, Saar NY; Anne Saxelby, Saxelby Cheese; Amy Scherber, Amy’s Breads; Ivy Stark, El Toro Bianco; Jelena Pasic and Dardra Coaxum, Harlem Shake; Simone Tong, Little Tong; Melba Wilson, Melba’s
The participating women pastry chefs included:
Carol Becker, William Greenberg Desserts; Jessica Craig, L’Artusi; Fanny Gerson, Dough, La Newyorkina; Sarabeth Levine, Sarabeth’s; Abby Swain, Temple Court
The women celebrity sous chefs included:
Executive Celebrity Sous Chef Tamsen Fadal, Anchor PIX11 News; Brenda Blackmon, Television journalist; Sandra Bookman, Anchor WABC-TV; Melissa Clark, The New York Times; Audrey Flack Marcus, American Artist; Sara Gore, Host NBC New York Live; Donna Hanover, CUNY TV Correspondent; Magee Hickey, WPIX News Reporter; Jennifer Gould Keil, Reporter New York Post; Lisa Ann-Marchesi, Television Personality and Entrepreneur; Sara Moulton, television personality, author; Debra Monk, Tony and Emmy Award winning Actress; Karen Page, Author; Joanna Preuss, Author; Carol Anne Riddell, CUNY-TV reporter/host; Laila Robins, America stage and television Actress; Daphne Rubin-Vega, Tony Award-nominated Actress; Linda Simidian, Producer, Good Day New York; JoJo Starbuck, Olympic figure skater; Teresa Reichlen, principal dancer, NY City Ballet; Valerie Smaldone, Radio Host; Joyce Wadler, Writer/Humorist; Derina Wilson, IFBB Pro
Veteran wine and spirits journalist and radio host David Ransom curated the wine, spirits and beverages from sponsors including:
Banhez Mezcal Artesenal, Bodegas Taron, Empress, Carolina Wine Brands, 1908 Gin, Folio Fine Wine Partners, Koval Distillery, Milagro, Nestle Waters of North America: San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, Palm Bay International, Pere Ventura Cava, Il Palagio Wines, SolStars Wines, Social Sparkling Wine, Taub Family Selections, Thomas Henry Mixers, Whitley Neill Gin, The Pogues Irish Whiskey, Lunelli Prosecco, ZYR Vodka, T Salon, and Vineyard Brands.
To learn more about SHARE, visit their website
