Richard Capizzi Tribute Dinner
Event Details
Sunday, February 19, 2023
6 p.m.
Join us as we celebrate the legacy of Pastry Chef Richard Capizzi as we honor his life and culinary excellence at a tribute dinner and fundraiser at Lincoln Ristorante.
This event will feature a star-studded lineup of chefs: Thomas Keller, Shea Gallante, Jonathan Benno, Artem Orlovskyy, and Chad Palagi who will prepare a sumptuous six-course dinner in homage to their beloved friend. The evening will also include a dessert collaboration by pastry chefs Sebastien Rouxel, Stefanie Morgado, Kara Blitz, Katie Backlund and Scott Cioe.
This tribute dinner is a fundraiser for the Capizzi family, in memory of Chef Capizzi. It will provide an opportunity for the restaurant community to gather and remember him, and also to launch a scholarship in his honor at The Culinary Institute of America, his alma mater.
The dinner will begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a six-course dinner with wine pairings.
Event Details
Sunday, February 19, 2023
6 p.m.
For more information on the scholarship and to donate, visit the link below:
Richard Capizzi Memorial ScholarshipJoin us in supporting the Capizzi family by participating in our silent auction until March 1st. We are offering a variety of exciting items, including exquisite dinners, travel experiences, and arts performances. All proceeds will go directly to the Capizzi family.
To maximize support for the family and provide an additional opportunity for the community to participate, monetary donations are also accepted. Your donation will enable even more support for the family during this difficult time. Please go to use the link below to donate, or text "capizzi" to phone number 56651.
Support the Capizzi FamilyAbout Richard Capizzi
Pastry Chef Richard Capizzi crafted refined renditions of Italy's classics: light, lush, and beautifully constructed. He was known for a highly attuned attention to detail and fine artistry. Richard worked in what might be called the golden age of pastry, when no well-regarded restaurant would ever be without a pastry chef and often a pastry department. Earlier in his career, before becoming pastry chef at Lincoln Ristorante, he was a pastry assistant at The Russian Tea Room, the pastry sous chef at the opening of Per Se and later pastry chef for the restaurant and Bouchon Bakery. He had stints at Le Cirque, Chef Jean Louis Palladin's Napa Restaurant, The Royaume du Chocolat in Lyon and Monte Carlo's Grand Hotel. With each position, he honed his craft, methodically perfected his skills.
Richard graduated first in his class at The Culinary Institute of America. He won the title of Pastry Chef of the Year, as well as gold medals for "Most Artistic Plated Dessert," The Vatel Club's "Technical Prize" and the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique's Award for Exceptional Taste at the 14th Annual US Pastry Competition in New York in 2003. He was the youngest and the first pastry chef ever to sweep the entire competition. While at Per Se Dessert Professional honored Richard as one of the top 10 best pastry chefs in 2009. With him as pastry chef, Lincoln Ristorante was awarded two New York Times stars and one Michelin star.
In 2021 the covid pandemic led him to expand his pastry role and serve as executive chef at Lincoln. He undertook the challenge with his usual focus and determination. Due to his selfless nature, only those close to him knew that he had become ill with glioblastoma. He passed away in September 2022 at the age of 45, mourned by his wife, children, and all who knew him.
This dinner offers a unique opportunity to honor and celebrate the life of Richard Capizzi, who was a tremendous talent and human being, whose legacy will continue to be honored and cherished by those who knew him.
We hope to see you there as we come together to honor the life and legacy of Richard Capizzi.