Night of a Thousand Dinners 2006

Adopt-A-Minefield Celebrates Inaugural New York City

Night of a Thousand Dinners Event at UN

More than 350 guests dressed in their business best arrived at United Nations headquarters on the evening of April 4 to honor the UN and its secretary-general, Kofi Annan, for their work in clearing the world of landmines. The event also celebrated the first International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action and served as the inaugural New York event of Adopt-A-Minefield’s annual program known as the Night of a Thousand Dinners^®. The food-and-wine themed evening featured a five-course meal prepared by some of the world’s top chefs. But the glamour didn’t stop there.

Actor Michael Douglas not only presented Secretary-General Annan with the evening’s Humanitarian Award, but also co-chaired the event. The evening’s good will cause also drew Moby, Angélique Kidjo, Rachael Ray and Elie Wiesel to the UN in support of ridding the world of landmines. During the evening’s cocktail hour, illusionist Oz Pearlman dazzled guests with his magic, and while some 350 guests were enjoying their gourmet dinner, a silent auction featured items such as cooking lessons for 10 at the acclaimed Aspen Cooking School. 

UNA-USA Vice President for Humanitarian Campaigns Nahela Hadi introduced each of the five chefs before their courses were served. They included: sashimi prepared by Wayne Nish of March, foie gras prepared by Cyril Renaud of Fleur de Sel, organic cod prepared by Anita Lo of Annisa, spring lamb prepared by Dante Boccuzzi of Aureole and a peanut butter Napoleon cake by François Payard of Payard. Chair of Adopt-A-Minefield Nancy Rubin spoke as well, reminding guests of why they were there. She gave an inspiring speech about a recent trip she took to Cambodia, a country that is among the worst affected by landmines in the world.         

Adopt-A-Minefield holds a fundraising gala in Los Angeles every fall—an event that has become one of the top parties to attend on the west coast. Last night’s Night of a Thousand Dinners initiative marked the first east coast fundraiser for the campaign. Night of a Thousand Dinners was launched in 2001 to bring together thousands of individuals and organizations from around the world to host dinners in their own homes, restaurants, community centers and schools to help raise funds to clear landmines and assist landmine survivors. This year, dinners were held between March 1, which commemorates the date the Mine Ban Treaty entered into force, and April 4, the recently named International Day for Mine Awareness. For more information, visit www.1000dinners.com.

This article was written by Carina Kjelstad, a communications intern at UNA-USA and a graduate student at Seton Hall University's John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy.