On a rainy Manhattan evening, the grand marble columns of the Metropolitan Club provided the perfect backdrop for an event that stirred more than just conversation—it stirred commitment. The 9th Annual Spring Benefit for Spoons Across America welcomed New York’s philanthropic and culinary elite for an evening focused not on haute cuisine, but on a higher purpose: educating children on the power of real food.

Founded in 2001, Spoons Across America has grown into a national force in food literacy. Through programs like the Food Exploration Project, the nonprofit is actively reshaping how students across the country engage with nutrition, flavor, and choice. With more than 50,000 students reached in the past year alone, its mission is no longer aspirational—it’s operational.

This year’s benefit felt charged with urgency. Inside the Great Hall, attendees weren’t just there to celebrate—they were there to mobilize. With childhood nutrition and education at a critical inflection point, the evening spotlighted a shared belief: that real change begins not in policy rooms or test kitchens, but in classrooms and cafeterias.

The evening’s co-chairs, including Katherine Gage Boulud and Jeff Bank, anchored the program with a focus on what’s at stake. Rising childhood health issues, the changing landscape of American food systems, and emerging legislative momentum all served as context for why this moment matters. It was a call to arms—and to action.

Two standout honorees were recognized for their impact and leadership: longtime broadcast figure and philanthropist Al Roker, and Chef Mawa McQueen, a culinary visionary whose path from the Ivory Coast to Aspen’s fine dining scene has inspired many.

Roker, recipient of the Julia V. Jordan Award for Volunteerism and Public Service, brought his signature presence to the occasion, reinforcing the importance of early education in shaping lifelong habits. McQueen, honored for individual excellence, was celebrated not just for her accomplishments in the restaurant world, but for how she’s using her platform to promote wellness, culture, and community through food.

The evening also drew the attention—and support—of some of the culinary world’s most recognized figures. Icons like Martha Stewart, Daniel Boulud, Eric Ripert, José Andrés, Stefano Secchi, and Dominique Ansel lent their voices and visibility, reminding guests that the culinary community has long championed food equity and education.

The live auction, led by PBS favorite Sebastian Clarke, brought levity and enthusiasm to the room. With luxury travel packages, dining experiences, and rare collectibles on offer, guests gave generously and often, fueling the kind of impact that extends far beyond the ballroom.

At the core of Spoons Across America’s work is a deceptively simple philosophy: teach kids to explore food with joy, curiosity, and confidence. It’s not about restriction or fear—it’s about empowerment. And it’s working. The nonprofit’s curriculum encourages hands-on learning and replaces processed routines with meaningful rituals. Children leave with knowledge, agency, and a new relationship to what’s on their plate.

One of the evening’s committee members, Sugie Hong Bruttomesso, spoke to this beautifully, saying:

This way of thinking reflects a shared value that defines SAC—that generosity and advocacy are timeless tools for change.

As the evening drew to a close and guests returned to the drizzle of Park Avenue, the message was clear: food is more than sustenance. It’s a tool, a teacher, and a legacy. The benefit may have ended, but the momentum carried forward.

For Spoons Across America, it’s never been about one night. It’s about the hundreds of classrooms they’ll reach next, the students who will touch rosemary or snap a green bean for the first time, and the families who will make a new kind of dinner together—one rooted in knowledge, tradition, and care.