Chefs for Clearwater Dinner Honors Pete Seeger's Hudson River Legacy

Chefs for Clearwater is a spectacular fundraising event featuring the best food the Hudson Valley’s land has to offer, cooked by world-class chefs, all in support the Sloop Clearwater and its noble mission to clean the Hudson River and foster environmental education onboard the iconic ship.

The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and though it’s just the fourth time this event has been held, this year is special because it marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Pete Seeger — musician, activist and the Clearwater’s indomitable founder.

It is also the 50th anniversary of the Clearwater and its successful (but very much ongoing) work to clean up the river Seeger so loved. The impressive scale and draw of Chefs for Clearwater is a testament to the enduring legacy of Seeger’s philosophy “think globally, act locally.”

At this year's event, an all-star team of celebrated chefs, led by Nobu Fifty Seven executive chef Matt Hoyle and Batard Tribeca executive chef Markus Glocker will collaborate to serve a tasting menu showcasing food and drink sourced exclusively from Hudson Valley farmers, ranchers, vintners, distillers and cider makers. The evening will be hosted by musician Tom Chapin and include discussions with the guest of honor, the celebrated restaurateur Drew Nieporent, and wine educator Kevin Zraly. There will be music by bluegrass band Too Blue, and an auction led by Nicholas Lowry of Swann Auction Galleries.

But above all the pomp and circumstance, Chefs for Clearwater is a demonstration of the environmental and agricultural progress our region has achieved over the past 50 years, due in large part to the educational effort of The Clearwater. 

“Chefs for Clearwater is just amazing. It gives us the opportunity to talk about our successes,” said Clearwater executive director Greg Williams. “But it also gives us the stage to talk about the work yet to be done.”

The Industrial Revolution and then raw sewage, toxic chemicals and oil pollution turned the Hudson River into a scar running through one of the most naturally vivacious regions of this country. It was through Seeger’s activism, the creation of the Clearwater and the organization’s continued dedication that the river is now as appreciated and protected as it is.

“It’s somewhat fortuitous that this is the 50th year of the organization,” said Williams. “If nothing is done to clean up the river it will still be another 50 years before it’s safe to eat the fish.”

Nieporent’s presence will no doubt draw generous eyes to the event. He is the founder of the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates a roster of highly regarded eateries, including Tribeca Grill, Nobu Downtown, Nobu Fifty Seven and Bâtard. Nieporent’s first restaurant, Montrachet (1985), earned three stars from The New York Times and kept that rating for 21 years. Nobu NYC and Bâtard were voted Best New Restaurant in America by The James Beard Foundation in 1995 and 2015, respectively, and Tribeca Grill is a regular winner of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award. Earlier this year, Nieporent was honored as a “Master of Hospitality” by the CIA at an awards event that raised more than $1 million for CIA student scholarships. 

“It’s super exciting to have Drew Nieporent on board,” said Williams. “He’s highly accomplished and has great connections. This event has brought together a really amazing, interlocking, mutually supportive group of people. We are so pleased to have Tom Chapin coming back. He has been endlessly generous with his time.”

Individual seats for Chefs for Clearwater are $300 and sponsorships start at $500. Clearwater is an organization that is very cognizant of the fact that the cost of this event is out of reach for many of their longtime, loyal supporters, but they hope all understand that this once-a-year event, which has raised over $250,000 for the organization, helps make the rest of the year’s more inclusive programming possible.

Proceeds from Chefs for Clearwater will directly benefit Clearwater’s hands-on environmental education programs, which aim to create the next generation of environmental leaders, with scholarships to schools and youth groups in underserved communities and especially those in need of environmental justice.

For generations, the region’s back was turned to the river. Seeger used his gentle yet powerful voice to turn people around and remind them of the value and beauty of the Hudson. In his absence, the support of his mission is more important than ever. 

So, what could be more appropriate than to feed guests from the bounty of the river’s valley, honor Seeger’s centennial, and support the golden anniversary of his greatest achievement, the Clearwater’s tangible and soulful impact on the vitality of the Hudson River. This is truly eating for good.

Chefs for Clearwater
Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
The Culinary Institute of America
1946 Campus Dr. (off Rt. 9), Hyde Park, NY