Where Flavors and Philanthropy Meet: VIP Moments at Chelsea Market for a Cause

  • By: Meera Rathod

Espresso, empathy, and elevated bites, all under one roof.

On the evening of September 19th, Chelsea Market radiated with anticipation as food lovers, advocates, and community members gathered for the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund Benefit. Before the main benefit program began, Andy King hosted an elegant VIP Lounge presented by Tito’s Vodka, featuring Espresso Martinis made with Tito’s Vodka and Joe Coffee Company. It was a curated prelude, part cocktail hour, part culinary showcase, designed to unite guests over shared values of sustainability and food justice. With over 150 chefs and vendors lined up to serve their standout dishes, the event was more than a night out, it was a celebration of how food, flavor, and community can come together to fuel meaningful change in the fight against leukemia and to support new generations in sustainable farming.

The VIP Lounge set the tone for the night the moment guests walked in. Soft, golden lighting glowed against Chelsea Market’s brick walls, giving the space an intimate feel. The star of the lounge, though, was the Espresso Martini crafted with Tito’s Vodka and Joe Coffee Company. Smooth, velvety, and perfectly balanced, the cocktail brought together the depth of freshly brewed espresso with the clean finish of Tito’s. The collaboration felt deliberate: pairing New York’s beloved local coffee roaster with a nationally recognized vodka brand embodied the night’s mix of sophistication, community, and accessibility.

When the main program began, the heart of the evening came alive through the food. More than 150 chefs and vendors turned Chelsea Market into a showcase of New York’s culinary spirit, tables lined with everything from farm fresh bites to inventive small plates that reflected artisanal care and sustainable sourcing. But it wasn’t just about indulgence. The gathering radiated community, drawing people who came not only to sample extraordinary food but to honor Anne Saxelby’s legacy. It was a vivid reminder of how food, when shared with intention, can bind people together around a mission much larger than the plate.

Since its founding, the Anne Saxelby Legacy Fund has built a remarkable track record of impact, with more than 250 apprenticeships funded across 60+ host farms in 24 states, with 75% of alumni pursuing careers in food, agriculture, or environmental work. That’s why this benefit matters. It’s not only a tribute to Anne Saxelby’s vision for sustainable food systems, but also a bridge connecting food, education, sustainability, and health. Funds raised directly support both apprenticeships and leukemia research and patient care, linking nourishment of the body with care for the broader community. The VIP Lounge set the tone for how philanthropy can be reimagined: chic, gourmet, and community-driven. Guests left not only having enjoyed a memorable night, but with the sense that they were actively shaping a future where good food and good causes are intertwined.

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