Bake sales have long been a staple of fundraising efforts for schools, clubs, and organizations. But what happens when two culinary powerhouses team up to create a bake sale? That’s exactly what happened when Eleven Madison Park and As You Are, a New York City-based nonprofit organization, joined forces for a charitable bake sale event.
Eleven Madison Park, a Michelin-starred restaurant known for its innovative and elegant cuisine, closed its doors in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During its hiatus, the restaurant pivoted its operations to focus on community service, providing meals for frontline workers and food-insecure New Yorkers.
As You Are, founded in 2019 by Chef Jae Lee, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing meals and culinary training to underserved communities. Through its programs, As You Are aims to empower individuals by providing access to healthy and delicious food and the skills needed to prepare it.
On a sunny weekend in May 2021, the two organizations came together for a bake sale fundraiser, featuring a selection of sweets and treats created by the Eleven Madison Park team. The event took place at As You Are’s facility in Queens, New York, and was open to the public.
The bake sale featured a variety of items, including chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, and banana bread, all made with Eleven Madison Park’s signature attention to detail and commitment to quality. The treats were available for purchase on a pay-what-you-can basis, with all proceeds going directly to As You Are’s programs.
The event was a resounding success, with hundreds of people turning out to support the cause and indulge in some delicious baked goods. In addition to raising funds for As You Are, the bake sale also provided an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the power of food to bring people together.
The partnership between Eleven Madison Park and As You Are highlights the potential for the culinary industry to have a positive impact beyond the walls of high-end restaurants. By leveraging their expertise and resources, these organizations were able to create a meaningful experience for the community while supporting a worthy cause.
As the food industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, it is inspiring to see chefs and restaurateurs using their skills and resources to make a difference in their communities. The bake sale event serves as a reminder that food can be a powerful tool for positive change, bringing people together and making a difference in the world.
Looking ahead, it will be exciting to see what other collaborations and partnerships emerge from the culinary world, as chefs and organizations continue to explore new ways to use food as a force for good. The bake sale may have been a one-time event, but its impact will be felt for years to come, as the funds raised help to support As You Are’s important work in the community.
