2022 Wine & Spirits Dinner Journal

2022 WINE & SPIRITS ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DINNER EVENT JOURNAL

Host Committee Jeffrey Banks Steve Bellini Linda Bruno Carmen Dell'Orefice Vincent Fyfe Susan & Robert Labriola Karen & Peter Martino Cheryl & Ed Micone, Jr. Emilie Puzio Tina Radziwill David Stallar Sharon Marantz Walsh & Kirke Walsh

Wine & Spirits Annual International Dinner Remembering

Tony May in loving memory

Honoring

Tony May & his daughter Marisa May for their legacy of setting the standard for luxury Italian fine dining in the United States

Presenting

Herman Hochberg with the Lifetime Service & Achievement Award

About Us The end of the Second World War in Italy left hundreds of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children on the streets. In 1945, our founder, Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, had the visionary idea to create youth-centered, self-governed communities in Rome and Civitavecchia for these young people – Boys’ and Girls’ Towns of Italy – to provide “a chance in life” to them. He believed that if young people were supported to take responsibility for their lives and their communities, they would grow into caring, self-sufficient adults. Self-government has been the central focus of our programs.

Over time, we realized that we could serve even greater numbers of vulnerable children by exporting our model of programming, creating safe havens around the world. In 2015, we opened our first program outside of Italy, in Ethiopia, and rebranded our organization as A Chance In Life to reflect our multinational approach. Since then, our organization has established villages of children around the world who learn invaluable life skills and develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and their peers with the support of adult educators, health professionals, psychologists and mentors. In Italy, Ethiopia, India, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Uganda, Palestine, and the United States, we have changed the lives of more than 40,000 children and their communities.

Through each of our programs, A Chance In Life is addressing complex global challenges outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals issues like educational access, clean water and sanitation, good health and well-being, gender equality, economic opportunity, and quality nutrition.

Through our work with children, families and communities around the world, we are are honored to advance the legacy of our founder while advancing these global goals.

Message from the President Dear Friends, Buona sera and benvenuti! As always, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to welcome our friends and supporters to our Wine & Spirits Annual International Dinner.

Tonight's event is a particularly special occasion, as we honor and remember important champions of our organization. Indeed, the Wine & Spirits International Dinner would not exist were it not for our honoree Herman Hochberg, who took it upon himself more than forty years ago to organize his colleagues to raise funds for our founder, Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing. Herman has selflessly continued to spearhead the effort, year after year, and we are proud to recognize him tonight with the much-deserved Lifetime Service and Achievement Award for his decades of contributions to A Chance In Life.

We are also touched to be able to remember the legacy of Tony May, a longtime supporter of A Chance In Life and champion for Italian culture and heritage. Tony May's love of and pride for Italy was evident not just in how his food tasted, but in how it was presented, and indeed, he came to be known for bringing luxury Italian dining to the United States. Any Italian fine dining chef today owes his or her success to Tony May, who paved the way for generations. Indeed, Italian Americans as a whole owe much to Tony May for his cultural contributions and we are so proud to recognize him tonight.

Tony May would also say one of his greatest contributions is his daughter, Marisa May, and I know we would all agree. Marisa began her involvement with our organization early in her career, and we are so excited to have the opportunity to reunite with her and recognize her for contributions to the culinary and philanthropic worlds. A restaurant legend in her own right, Marisa had dedicated her career to the twin causes of maintaining the May family legacy through a variety of restaurant and catering endeavors, and to education to advance understanding of Italian culture and cuisine. In light of our work to provide Italian culinary skills training to our students at La Repubblica, Marisa is a perfect match.

In the years since we began serving young people at La Repubblica, and since Tony and Marisa first became involved, and since Herman first established this event, A Chance In Life has evolved and expanded to reach increasing numbers of marginalized young people around the world, and this international expansion is reflected in our name. What has not changed is our core mission of providing education and empowerment through “self-government”, nor our commitment to the Monsignor’s vision to improve the lives of children who have otherwise been left behind and forgotten – children for whom there would be no other chance. We are so proud to welcome tonight so many friends who have supported us since the Monsignor's time - I know he would be proud of all we have been able to accomplish together.

Grazie mille, Gabriele Delmonaco

Tony May As one of the nation’s most respected restaurateurs, Tony May worked diligently for five decades to elevate the image of Italian cuisine in America. Arriving in America from Naples, Italy, in 1963, he found a cuisine he did not recognize and sometimes a language he did not understand. The Italian cuisine was still known as “Eyetalian” – and was considered the ultimate comfort food “Good, Plentiful and cheap…”

For years, first as General Manager and then Owner / Operator, Tony May operated New York’s Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center (1968-1987)… This was the era of Music, Dancing, Premier Parties (Funny Girl, Fiddler on the Roof, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton, Luciano Pavarotti, just to name a few) …the Rainbow Room was THE focal point of the New York social scene.

While still at the Rainbow Room, in 1979 he founded Gruppo Ristoratori Italiani (GRI) thru the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce, they created a branch for Italian restaurants in the U.S. who were already members of the Chamber. Tony May was always vocal to his colleagues regarding the quality and authenticity of the cuisine in their Italian restaurants. Working with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation GRI established the GRI/Giacomo Bologna Scholarship for U.S. students.

In 1986, Tony May opened his first Italian restaurant, Palio, which attracted critical acclaim throughout the world. Two years later, he opened San Domenico, NY, his flagship restaurant that garnered international praise for 20 years. Through the years, Tony developed his own, very Italian style in the management of restaurants, a style that, since, dozens of colleagues have used as a point of reference.

In 1997 Tony May opened Gemelli in the World Trade Center followed by PastaBreak in 1998. On September 11, 2001, both Gemelli and Pasta Break were destroyed in the attack on the World Trade Center. Tony May and daughter Marisa worked tirelessly to help feed the rescue workers, as well as to help his displaced employees. A new PastaBreak opened a year later in the E-Walk complex in Times Square.

In 2008, San Domenico NY closed on Central Park South and in 2009 Tony May with his daughter Marisa May, opened SD26 Restaurant & Wine Bar, a tri-level restaurant on Madison Square Park North showcasing contemporary Italian cuisine and the next generation in fine dining.

He is also the author of “ITALIAN CUISINE: Basic Cooking Techniques,” a textbook distributed to culinary schools throughout the U.S. and available to the general public.

Marisa May A born and raised native New Yorker, restaurateur Marisa May, spent her summers on the coast of Naples, Amalfi, the Island of Capri, and throughout Italy, learning firsthand about the hospitality and the cuisine of Italy. Her father, the venerable and celebrated restaurateur Tony May, then owner/operator of New York City’s iconic The Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Center) sent Marisa to Italy every summer, to gain valuable knowledge from award-winning restaurateurs, winemakers and celebrated chefs, who exposed Marisa to the dynamic authentic cuisine and professional service throughout Italy. As a result, Marisa brought her experiences, unique dedication to hospitality and vibrant charm to reignite the New York City restaurant scene and helped set the standards for Italian luxury dining in New York City.

During her Sacred Heart Greenwich high school years, Marisa took restaurant reservations as her summer job. Upon graduating from New York University (NYU), she took on her full-time role at her father Tony May’s San Domenico NY restaurant at 240 Central Park South/Columbus Circle in New York City for 15 years, where she learned restaurant business from the ground up.

Marisa’s warm welcoming personality and charm were known as the secret behind the service and ambiance in the San Domenico NY dining room.

She spent time in the kitchen helping to make the bread and pasta, but loved directing the front of the house where she felt she truly belonged. Marisa directed a staff of 60 people on daily bases. She was also the director of branding, PR and marketing. San Domenico NY was the first-ever fine dining Italian restaurant to receive 3 stars from the New York Times. In 1996, San Domenico NY was one of only 24 restaurants throughout the world to receive the first Insegna del Ristorante Italiano from the President of the Republic of Italy, an award denoting the finest Italian restaurants outside of Italy.

In 1997, Marisa was instrumental and helped her father Tony May open their restaurant Gemelli Restaurant in the World Trade Center followed by PastaBreak in 1998. But, on September 11, 2001, both Gemelli and PastaBreak were destroyed in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Tony May and Marisa worked tirelessly to help feed the rescue workers, NYC Fire Fighters, NYC Police Officers, as well as helping their displaced employees.

In June 2008, San Domenico NY closed it doors on 240 Central Park South/Columbus Circle. Then in September 2009 Marisa, together with her business partner and father Tony May, opened SD26 Restaurant & Wine Bar on Madison Square Park (at East 26th Street) to usher in the new generation of Italian fine dining in New York City. As co-owner and operator of SD26, Marisa directed a staff of 90 employees on a daily basis.

Marisa also created San Domenico Events/SD26 Events, which catered an array of events from 10 persons to 1000 persons, on-premise and off premise, in the most exclusive venues in New York and beyond, organizing private parties, press launches, movie premiers, SNL parties and large events for celebrities, rock stars, movie stars, fashion icons, writers, sports stars, international heads, Presidents and Heads of States. Her creative, attentive sharp eye for details earned her incredible loyalty from her elite clientele. During her 6 years as co-owner/operator of SD26, Marisa was named ESQUIRE MAGAZINE's "RESTAURATEUR WE LOVE” in their “WOMEN WE LOVE” ISSUE. She was awarded “NYIT Gold Coast Classic Profession Excellence Award” in NYC. Marisa was honored on the front cover as the “COVERGIRL” on the prestigious national “Restaurant Hospitality” Magazine in the “COOL FACTOR” issue with Marisa being named “the cool restaurant chick that has it all” in the USA in 2014/2015.

Marisa was honored by the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW) for her exemplary work as a restaurateur, citing her as “an outstanding role model for young women”. Since the opening, SD26 was named one of Esquire Magazine’s “Best New Restaurants,” receiving four stars on Forbes’ as the best “All Star Eateries” in the USA (2010 through 2016). SD26 was named one of the Zagat ‘s Guide “Top 50 Restaurants.”

Marisa May has made her important mark within the restaurant-hospitality industry, having made numerous appearances on national television networks shows including: The Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, Rocco DiSpirito’s Restaurant Divided, Restaurant Redemption and as a regular guest cooking live on NBC’s Today Show. In addition, Marisa has appeared in local appearances on NBC’s New York Live, FOX Business News, Good Day New York on FOX, PIX11, ABC, CBS, i-Italy, RAI Italian Television and more. Marisa has also been featured in many exclusive articles in Food & Wine Magazine, The New York Times, PAGE SIX, The New York Post, The Daily Beast, Daily News, Travel & Leisure, Town & Country, Esquire, GQ, Departures Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Restaurant Hospitality, Nation’s Restaurant News, Saveur, New York Magazine, Time Out NY Magazine, Wine Spectator Magazine, Food Arts, Manhattan Magazine, Gotham Magazine, Seventeen Magazine, Haute Living Magazine, Downtown Magazine, Worth Magazine, La Madia Travel Food Magazine, Corriere della Sera, The Italian Tribune, i-Italy Magazine, EATER, both in print articles and online articles. Marisa was featured in documentary film as an “Italian Food Expert” in the “L’Eleganza Del Cibo (Tales About Food & Fashion” exhibition sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission in both in New York (Chelsea Market) & Rome, Italy (Mercati di Traiano – Museo dei Fori Imperiali).

In 2017, Marisa joined her father Tony May in his crusade to promote a better understanding of Italian cuisine and Italian products through Italian culinary education for the next generation of cooking professionals, by being a vital part of the Italian Culinary Foundation (ICF) www.italianculinaryfoundation.com. Marisa and her father Tony May also run and host food focused cooking programs/trips for amateur cooks/food enthusiasts: www.italylikeneverbefore.com and also professional cooking programs/tours for professional chefs: www.cook-like-anitalian.com Marisa & her father’s ICF programs also gift scholarships to young culinary students who are future young aspiring chefs /restaurateurs, as their giving back program.

Marisa also continues high-end catering as San Domenico NY Events for her VIP clients, as an exclusive boutique catering company in New York City.

Marisa has remained active within the New York City and restaurant communities, serving on committees and as a member, and staying active in organizations and charity causes including the prestigious Les Dames D'Escoffier, Women’s Chefs & Restaurateurs, C-CAP (Careers Through Culinary Arts Program), Food Bank for New York City, Citymeals-on-Wheels, The Madison Square Park Conservancy and The Central Park Conservancy.

Marisa lives and divides her time between her hometown New York City and in Rome, Italy.

Herman Hochberg Herman was born in Brooklyn and attended City College School of Engineering. For many decades, Herman was owner and operating of Queens Wines and Liquors in Ridgewood, Queens. Herman served as a member of the Ridgewood Community Planning Board no. 5 for twenty years. As Founding President of the Ridgewood Development Corporation and the Ridgewood Business Improvement District Herman is responsible for a federal grant which resulted in the revitalization of the Ridgewood business district for which Herman was honored by the Ridgewood YMCA. For eight years Herman was on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Community National Bank and Trust Company of New York. Herman has served as a Director of Mount Carmel Cemetery in Queens County. Herman is a member of the Board of Trustees of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn. He also serves on the hospital´s Executive Committee. In 2006 Herman received the Distinguished Trustee Award of the United Hospital Fund at a luncheon in the Waldorf Astoria. With his late with Polly, he has also been recognized with the Community Service Award for his involvement with the Park East Synagogue.

Herman is active in many charitable liquor industry endeavors including the UJA New York Wine and Spirit Division and Founder of the A Chance In Life Wine & Spirits Annual International Dinner. In 1986 he was honored by the Boy´s Town of Italy with their Humanitarian Award and in 2009 he was elected to the National Board of the Boys Town. He continues to serve on the national Board of Director of A Chance In Life. In 2009 Herman was the honoree at the AHRC (Association for the Help of Retarded Children) Long Island Salesman Wines and Spirits Dinner and Golf Outing. In 2006 He was honored as The Business Person of the Year at the Ridgewood Democratic Club Annual Dinner. Herman is a loving father to his daughter, Marisa.

Program Welcome Remarks Gabriele Delmonaco, President & Chief Executive Claire Gallagher, Vice President, Development & Communications Call to Action Claire Gallagher, Vice President, Development & Communications Student speaker Daysha Freeman Dinner Presentation of Awards Tony and Marisa May presented by Robert Labriola Herman Hochberg presented by Steve Bellini and Vinny Fyfe Closing Remarks Gabriele Delmonaco, President & Chief Executive

Special thanks to Broken Shed Vodka, Steve Bellini, BouveryCV, Marcelo Calabrese, Cipriani, Donna D'Urso, Vinny Fyfe, Herman Hochberg, the Amy Kennedy family, Peter Martino, Emilie Puzio, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Sharon Marantz Walsh and all of tonight's volunteers

Thank you Tony for your many contributions to our Italian culinary experiences. You are a treasure and will be sorely missed.

With love and affection from the Labriola Family

Congratulations to my friend and fellow Board Member Herman Hochberg on your much deserved Lifetime Service& Acheivement Award Thank you for all you do!

-Mauro Romita

Congratulations to our dear Marisa May and our dear Tony May! Thank you for your many decades of friendship, delicious meals and for setting the standards for luxury Italian fine dining in America.

We miss you very much, Tony! Your memory lives on in our hearts.

We Love You Both Very Much, The Porzio Family Ellen & John David, Johnny & Elizabeth

GRAZIE Founder Monsignor John Patrick CarrollAbbing: Tonight, A Chance In Life continues your Vision and Mission Emilie Puzio, Board Member Amy Margherita Puzio Education Fund La Repubblica, Roma

Our Team

Srii Srinivasan Chief Executive, Chargeback Gurus

Board of Directors Robert Iommazzo Chairman Managing Partner, SEBA International​

Tim Tynan Former CEO, Bank of America Merchant Services

Mauro C. Romita Vice Chair

Roy Van Pelt Consultant, Lathrop Construction​

Stephen Bellini Treasurer President, Broken Shed Vodka, LLC​

H. E. Card. Giuseppe Versaldi Prefect Congr. Catholic Education (Honorary Member)

Jeanine T. Margiano Secretary Partner, Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

Staff Gabriele Delmonaco President & Chief Executive

​ abriele Delmonaco G ​President & Chief Executive, A Chance In Life​

Claire W. Gallagher Vice President, Development & Communications

Kate Bullis​ Managing Partner, SEBA International​ Eugene B. Ceccotti President and CEO, Shamrock Materials Guy Chiarello Chief Operating Officer, Fiserv, Inc. Phil Guarnieri Chief Executive Officer, Empire State Bank

Elser Llanos Vice President, Programs Guadalupe Aguirre Building Manager, The Village Jaqueline Arenales Executive Assistant and Program Coordinator

​Herman Hochberg​

Clara Chahwan Director of Operations

Lawrence Nibbi CEO, Nibbi Brothers General Contractors

Loziana Vejuka Office Manager

Gabriele Pera Piscopo

Claire Walton Communications & Development Manager

Emilie Puzio Realtor Associate, D’Amico & McConnell Realtors – Spring Lake, NJ

Caroline Ziccardi Director, Donor Relations

250 East 63rd Street, Ste. 204 New York, NY 10065 www.achanceinlife.org 212.980.8770