Happy in the Hamptons

  

Jon Bon Jovi posed for photos with fans at Sunday's 2010 Great Chefs Dinner at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton.

One of the culinary highlights of the Hamptons season is the annual Great Chefs Dinner to benefit Bridgehampton’s Hayground School and to remember one of its co-founders, Jeff Salaway, the East End restaurateur (Nick & Toni’s) who died in 2001. More than 60 percent of Hayground’s students receive financial aid, and this annual benefit is an important source of revenue.

This year's event was on Sunday, August 8.

The evening started at 5 p.m. with a cocktail party ($150) with beverages supplied by, among other vendors, Vine wine bar in Greenport. The food was provided by an impressive list of chefs, including Tom Colicchio (Craft Restaurants and TV’s Top Chef), Gerry Hayden and Claudia Fleming (North Fork Table & Inn, Southold), Sam Talbot (Top Chef, Surf Lodge in Montauk), Kevin Penner (1770 House in East Hampton), Bryan Futerman (Foody’s, Water Mill), Tom Schaudel (A Mano in Mattituck), Christian Mir (Stone Creek Inn in East Quogue), Joseph Realmuto (Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton), Keith Luce (Luce & Hawkins in Jamesport), Steven Lewis (First Street Restaurant in Greenport) and Vittorio Assaf (Serafina East Hampton).

I've been to Nick & Toni's, though not for some time. My in-laws live out in the Hamptons, so they actually knew Mr. Salaway. Alas, they didn't go to the Great Chefs Dinner this year, though they have gone in the past.

Sounds like a great event, and it looks like JonBon is enjoying his time off. Amazing what a little family time can do for your smile.

~ Hath