Tennis superstars attend the Citi Taste of Tennis Gala in NYC!
On August 23, Citi Taste of Tennis, premier culinary and tennis event, brought together the world’s top tennis players and New York’s award-winning chefs for an evening celebrating food and tennis. A portion of the proceeds from the event was donated to Wellness in the Schools, which inspires healthy eating, environmental awareness and fitness as a way of life for kids in public schools. Highlights of the event include an appearance by seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams, a cooking demonstration with Iron Chef Morimoto and world No. 3 tennis star Sloane Stephens. WPIX Sports Anchor Andy Adler, served as event hosts.
Below are the tennis players who attended the Gala.
Check out the interview with Simona Halep:
The Knockturnal: Is there anything in New York-specific that you eat when you are here.
Simona Halep: I like everything, I don’t have a special food because it’s tough for a tennis player during the tournament to eat something special.
The Knockturnal: In terms of playing tennis, now that you have a Grand-Slam, do you feel like you can play a little freer now?
Simona Halep: Well I feel better on the court, definitely. I feel more relaxed, but, the pressure is still there and it’s good because I play well when I feel the pressure. It keeps me focused and also concentrated on what I have to do.
At 9 pm that night they opened the Citi Taste of Tennis After Dark dessert event. The secluded area within the hall featured 5 chefs with their unique dessert creations. Chef Selina Sabolboro made Moffles: bite-sized pieces of waffles stuffed with mochi and sprinkled with chocolate or fruity pebbles cereal. Chef Satoko Kakinohana made Cracker Jack Sundaes: Vanilla ice cream and caramel popcorn topped with whipped cream, caramel crunchies, and a caramel drizzle. Chef Rebecca Clacecilla-Eng made cake pop: chocolate cake with a glittery tennis ball like exterior. Chef Douglas Hernandez made chocolate hazelnut bars: chocolate meringue on a hazelnut wafer bar topped with white chocolate cremeux, candied hazelnuts, candied cocoa nibs, and Nutella powder. Chef Eddie Zheng made Kakigori: Japanese shaved ice with strawberry or matcha oat. There was also a station where people could take slow motion 360° videos. The highlight of the event was also a performance by pop violinist Ezinma. She walked around the venue while accompanying and soloing over popular songs like Drake’s ‘In My Feelings’, Camilla Cabello’s ‘Havanna’, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Justin Beiber’s ‘Despacito’ (Remix), and Post Malone’s ‘Rockstar’. Filled with sweet desserts and great entertainment, the After Dark event was a wonderful experience.
Citi Taste of Tennis was sponsored by Citi, Karma Automotive, Zonin Prosecco, Oban Single Malt Wisky, Diplomatico Rum, Voss Water, Campari, Hampton Water, Jamaica Tourism Board, The British Virgin Islands, Palladium Hotel Group, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Mexico Tourism Board.
For more information visit www.tasteoftennis.com, follow @TasteOfTennis on social, and post using #CitiTasteofTennis.
