On Tuesday, February 1, 2011, The New York Botanical Garden held its annual Orchid Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental at Columbus Circle.
The Orchid Dinner began with cocktails served during a sale of rare and exceptional orchids. Some of the world’s leading orchid specialists were on hand to assist guests with their purchases. Guests then moved to dinner in the Grand Ballroom, where every table was adorned by an orchid centerpiece created and donated by leading designers from the worlds of fashion, architecture, horticulture, and literature.
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin H. Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce and Mr. and Mrs. John M. Sullivan, Jr. were the Gala chairs. Dara Caponigro, Editor-in-Chief, Veranda and Fernanda M. Kellogg, Chairman of the Board, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation were the Chairs. Carolyn Englefield, Director of Decoration and Special Projects, Veranda was the Decorations Chair. Dan Dahl was the Design Coordinator for the magnificent table decorations. Tiffany & Co., BNY Mellon, Veranda were the Dinner Underwriters.
All proceeds support the development of the Garden’s orchid research collection. In addition to maintaining the highest horticultural standards of orchid conservation, the Garden has also been designated a Plant Rescue Center through the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Improperly documented shipments of endangered wild orchids are seized at international borders and sent to these Centers. Through careful research and the application of appropriate horticultural techniques, Garden staff members have been successful in bringing a majority of these ailing specimens back to health. Many are on view year-round in orchid displays at the Botanical Garden.
Following the Orchid Dinner is The Orchid Show, running from March 5 through April 25, 2011, at The New York Botanical Garden. This year the undeniable glamour and irresistible allure of orchids take center stage during The Orchid Show: On Broadway — a dazzling display created by Tony award-winning set designer Scott Pask, image maker Drew Hodges, and Botanical Garden curators. The result is must-see horticultural theater. The lush tropical galleries of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory provide a dramatic backdrop for iconic elements of Broadway architecture to showcase 5,000 beguiling specimens. Featuring 300 types in an astonishing variety of shape, size, texture, and color, the exhibition underscores the breadth and depth of one of the most distinguished orchid collections in the world.
Gala chairs Mary Davidson, Nonie Sullivan and Deborah Royce, NYBG President Gregory Long, Chairs Fernanda Kellogg and Dara Caponigro, Decorations Chair Carolyn Englefield.
Bunny Williams, John Rosselli.
Barbara Tober and Donald Tober.
Table Decorations Design Coordinator David M. Handy.
Deborah Royce and Charles Royce.
Nonie Sullivan and John Sullivan.
Rod Winterrowd, J. Anderson, Steven Gambrel, Bill Cunningham.
Coleman Burke and Susan Burke.
Kirk Henckels and Fernanda Kellogg.
Eliot Nolen and Wilson Nolen.
Campion Platt.
Sara Bengur, Eugenia Santiesteban Soto.
Leslie Jones, Lionel Goldfrank, Dotty Goldfrank, Peter Jones.
Larry Condon, Marian Heiskell.
Barbara Cirkva Schumacher.
Jean Shafiroff, Fernanda Kellogg.
Hans P. Utsch, J. Merck, Louise Cullman, Memrie M. Lewis, Lewis Cullman.
Sylvester Miniter and Gillian Miniter.
Connie Hildesley, Hugh Hildesley,
Eliot Nolan.
Julie Burke, Edward Burke, Allyson Samson, Malcom Nolen and Jennifer Nolen.
Buck Margold and Linda Margold.
Charlotte Burton and Bruce Burton.
Frank Martucci, Katherine Martucci, Marvin Davidson.
Laura Vinroot Poole, John Lupton, Andrew Thomas, Arrash Jalali, Lisa Weisiger.
Photos:
Shaun Mader, Patrick McMullan and Cutty McGill
