The Green Light: A Beacon of Flavors student charity dinner logo.

The Green Light: A Beacon of Flavors

A CIA Student-Run Charity Dining Event

Saturday, March 28, 2026 | 5 p.m.

The Culinary Institute of America’s Food and Business Management class is thrilled to invite you to The Green Light: A Beacon of Flavors—an extraordinary event that celebrates the 1920s through culinary gastronomy. Our charity dinner was inspired by the 1920s art deco, prohibition, and influence from The Great Gatsby theme. Join us Saturday, March 28, 2026, at CIA to support CIA student scholarships and the City Harvest Charity.

Our beverage selection showcases a mix of class and elegance while still holding on to the 1920s speakeasy atmosphere. Sip handcrafted cocktails, fine wine, and local beer as you are immersed into the rhythm, sparkle, and spirit of a night that never seems to end. Don’t miss this opportunity to dress up, sip something sparkling, and make memories that feel straight out of another era.

This event is planned, organized, and executed by CIA students to benefit City Harvest, New York City’s first and largest food rescue program. They are involved in rescuing food waste from restaurants across the city and then donating that food to local soup kitchens and pantries. This event will also benefit the Andrew Zimmern Second Chances Scholarship for CIA students. This scholarship, created by James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Zimmern, creates opportunities for students that have overcome hardships on their path to CIA and during their journey becoming a chef.

Join us for an unforgettable evening where time slips backward and glamour takes the lead. Our talented chefs will present a menu that depicts the decadence of the 1920s, with rich flavors, vintage-inspired recipes, and artful plates that echo the era’s opulence.

Charity: City Harvest.
Scholarship: Andrew Zimmern Second Chances Scholarship.
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Time: 5–8 p.m.
Location: Farquharson Hall, CIA, 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, NY 12538.
Dress Code: Inspired by The Great Gatsby movie and the 1920s speakeasy vibe. Formal attire highly requested: costumes and themed dressing highly suggested.
Entertainment: TBD.
Price: $125, including beverages, three-course dinner, tax, and service.
Additional Notes: CIA gift cards are not redeemable for this event. Allergens and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. To allow for proper execution of the menu, guests must inform their CIA students of their course selections three weeks prior to the evening.

 

This event has sold out. For questions about the event or to be added to the wait list, please call 845-905-4374. Messages are checked daily.


 
Can’t attend this event, but would still like to make a donation? Visit Feeding America to make a donation.
 

Menu Coming Soon

This event is presented by CIA bachelor’s degree students. These future stars in the hospitality industry are responsible for all of the evening’s planning and execution, from menu development to the overall ambiance and design of the event.