Culinary Stars Join Colin Montgomerie for June 22 Benefit

Nearly 130 celebrity chefs, restaurateurs, and professional athletes are converging on Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, New Jersey, on June 22 for the 7th Annual Celebrity Chefs & Friends Golf, Tennis & Pickleball Tournament, a benefit for City Harvest, New York City's largest food rescue organization.

The event comes as food insecurity reaches record levels in the city. According to City Harvest, nearly 50% of working-aged New Yorkers cannot afford basic living costs, forcing difficult choices between rent and groceries. Federal cuts to food assistance programs are intensifying the crisis.

"This year's tournament brings together iconic restaurants, from World's 50 Best-ranked Tatiana and Gramercy Tavern to legendary institutions like Rao's, Sylvia's and Barbuto, as well as hot newcomers including La Tête d'Or and Bar Rocco, to raise critical funds for City Harvest and help combat food security," said Herb Karlitz, founder and executive producer. "Our 2025 tournament raised enough for City Harvest to help feed 1.5 million New Yorkers in need."

High-Profile Lineup Across Sports and Cuisine

The tournament is hosted by golf legend Colin Montgomerie, who holds the record with eight European Tour Order of Merit titles. Tennis host Patrick McEnroe, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, will lead the tennis portion of the event.

Acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi (Tatiana, Kwame's Patty Palace, Dōgon, Las' Lap, Maroon) chairs the golf tournament, while Simon Kim (COTE/COQODAQ) and Chef Kerry Heffernan (Grand Banks) co-chair the tennis competition.

Participating chefs include Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Vibe BBQ), Geoffrey Zakarian, Michael Anthony (Gramercy Tavern), Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto), David Shim (COTE Korean Steakhouse), Emma Bengtsson (Aquavit), Cosme Aguilar (Casa Enrique), Rocco DiSpirito (Bar Rocco), and nearly 100 others.

Celebrity athletes and entertainers include MLB Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, two-time Super Bowl Champion Justin Tuck, Super Bowl winner Victor Cruz, country music singer Jenn Wayne, and hip-hop artist Ja Rule.

Tournament Format and Culinary Experiences

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with registration and brunch, followed by a mini clinic with Montgomerie and celebrity guests. The shotgun start for 18 holes of golf commences at noon, with celebrity chef-led culinary activations and cocktails throughout the course.

Tennis and pickleball tournaments run concurrently, featuring drills, warm-ups, and competitive play for intermediate and advanced players. A post-tournament tasting reception at 5:30 p.m. will showcase contributions from top NYC restaurants.

"Described as a food and wine festival that happens to take place on a golf course and tennis courts, attendees can mingle with their favorite top chefs and athletes during the tournaments, as well as indulge in gourmet cuisine prepared by some of New York City's finest culinary talents."

Guests will sample offerings from COTE Korean Steakhouse, La Tête d'Or, Red Rooster, and Sylvia's, alongside freshly shaved Italian truffles and Black Diamond caviar. Certified sommeliers from firms including Te Mata Estate Winery, La Caravelle, and Hourglass Vineyards will pour selections.

City Harvest's Critical Mission

"Right now, nearly 50% of working-aged New Yorkers are not able to afford the basic cost of living in our city, forcing many to make impossible choices such as paying rent or buying groceries," said Jilly Stephens, City Harvest's Chief Executive Officer. "At the same time, many of our neighbors are beginning to feel the impact of federal cuts to food assistance programs and are turning to food pantries for support. Thanks to the support of the Celebrity Chefs & Friends Golf, Tennis and Pickleball Tournament, we will ensure that families across the city have access to the fresh, nutritious foods that they need to thrive."

City Harvest will rescue approximately 90 million pounds of food this year and deliver it to hundreds of pantries and soup kitchens across the five boroughs. According to the organization, every dollar raised funds a day's worth of meals for two people experiencing food insecurity.

Since its founding in 1982, City Harvest has rescued over one billion pounds of food. Over six years, this tournament series has raised funds equivalent to providing five million meals.

Industry Commitment on Display

Colin Montgomerie emphasized the culinary community's responsibility: "I am honored to serve as a host of this year's golf tournament and to support efforts to help feed families who aren't sure where their next meal is coming from. We all need to do our part in society and make a difference by helping each other."

Patrick McEnroe added: "I am thrilled to return to the Celebrity Chefs & Friends event to support such an incredible mission of feeding those in need, while also celebrating my love of tennis alongside fellow enthusiasts for a truly unforgettable event."

Major Sponsors and Partners

Key sponsors include Ernst & Young LLP, Cantor Fitzgerald, Meat & Livestock Australia, S. Pellegrino, Resorts World, and a diverse list of spirits brands including Angel's Envy, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Macallan. In-kind sponsors include Burlap & Barrel, La Española Olive Oil, and Yeti.

The event is produced by Karlitz & Company, which has created over 14,000 restaurant and chef events globally over 35 years, now managing approximately 400 annual activations for brands including American Express, Resy, EY, and Merrill Lynch.

For more information and to register, visit https://karlitz.com/tournament.

Why It Matters

For F&B operators and industry professionals, this event underscores the culinary community's outsized role in addressing urban food insecurity. The participation of top-tier chefs and restaurateurs—many operating flagship establishments—signals a deepening commitment to leveraging hospitality platforms for social impact. The tournament's growth (five million meals raised over six years) demonstrates that high-profile fundraising centered on culinary excellence and celebrity power can generate meaningful resources for food rescue infrastructure, a critical bottleneck in the fight against hunger.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors