Turning 30 is one of those milestone birthdays where you want to celebrate with a big party. That’s one of the many good reasons why New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (affectionately known as “the Center“) is throwing a massive Garden Party on Hudson River Park‘s Pier 84 on Monday, June 24, 2013.
Besides, you only turn 30 once (most of us, anyway), so why not celebrate with a big sunset party on a pier overlooking the Hudson, attended by more than 1,500 of your closest friends and catered by 40 of New York’s most creative restaurateurs?
Amazing marshmallows from Mitchmallows (Source: MRNY)
For years, the Center‘s annual Garden Party has been the kick-off event to New York’s Pride Week. This year, the annual tasting event has partnered with Zagat and presenting sponsor Prudential to showcase the culinary bounty of more than 40 restaurants.
Guests from previous celebrations will attest to the Garden Party‘s gastronomic pleasures, which read like a litany of mouthwatering decadence: crab cake sliders, coconut cupcakes, mini croque monsieur, champignon crostini, tuna tartare with avocado mousse, pecan butterscotch bars, butter crunch and marzipan squares, summer tomato soup, citrus cake with blueberry and coconut filling and candied lime.
(Source: MRNY)
Now celebrating 30 years, the Center has spent its history building community through arts and culture, wellness and recovery, in its mission to envision a world where LGBT people no longer face discrimination or isolation because of who they love.
More than 6,000 people visit the Center weekly, with more than 300 groups meeting at the beloved West Village institution. The Center is home to a rainbow coalition of life-changing and life-saving organizations, from the Youth Pride Chorus to Center Families, as well as the largest LGBT job fair in the Northeast – and the proceeds from the Garden Party enable the Center to remain open 365 days a year.
Summer panino of lioni ricotta, basil-infused apricots, country ham and green pea pesto on foccacia from Good Restaurant (Source: MRNY)
What started as a fundraiser in 1984 with one catering company has evolved into the largest LGBT food festival in the country and one of the most celebrated tasting events in the culinary world. The Center‘s longest-running event is also its largest annual fundraiser.
This year, more than 1,500 supporters and foodies will welcome the Garden Party to its brand-new location on Pier 84. Guests will watch the sun set over the Hudson River while enjoying an open bar and bidding on delicious dining packages in the silent auction.
Source: MRNY
Apart from a banquet of delectables, the Garden Party is always a showcase for spring fashion with a festively attired crowd that promenades like peacocks in their seersucker and gingham, bow ties and waistcoats, and tutus and leather.
There’s also vodka mint cucumber cooler, tiramisu, summer panino, mini cannoli, salmon tartare, mushroom truffle croquettes, caramel crème cookies, and homemade meatball sliders. Need more convincing? Think about crudo and gelato and rainbow-colored marshmallows and green papaya salad and free-range chicken poppers.
Now that’s a birthday party that you don’t want to miss.
Source: MRNY
Additional Details:
Who: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Board of Directors and Executive Director Glennda Testone invite you to Garden Party 30.
What: Garden Party brings A Taste of Pride curated by Zagat and featuring presenting sponsor Prudential with 40 restaurants and culinary destinations offering samples from their delicious menus.
When: Monday, June 24, 2013, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Hudson River Park‘s Pier 84, West Side Highway at 44th Street, New York, New York
