The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation will host one of the most anticipated Hamptons events of the year, the 18th annual Hamptons Happening, held on the Bridgehampton Estate of Kenneth and Maria Fishel on Saturday, July 9. Guests will enjoy a night filled with tastings from dozens of chefs such as David Burke and Francois Payard, restaurants like T-Bar, Centro, and Mercato Cucina, and beverages from Woodford Reserve, Hamptons Water, and Blood Monkey Gin, all while helping raise funds for life-saving cancer research.
This year’s honorees include Bess Freedman, the CEO Brown Harris Stevens, Chef Julian Medina, chef and owner of Toloache, Tacuba, Coppelia, Kuxe, La Chula and El Fish Shack, Mark Melchiorre, the executive managing director, CIO and head of Brean Investment Group, and Max Mara and Cristian Notari, the CEO of Max Mara USA.
“Max Mara is honored to be partnering with the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, an organization whose mission is to eliminate cancer through innovative and collaborative research. At Max Mara, we honor those who have been impacted by cancer and we are proud to help in the fight to free the world from this devastating disease,” said Notari.
Through events like Hamptons Happening SWCRF has invested more than $100 million towards cancer research, supporting hundreds of investigators around the world, leading to breakthrough treatments and discoveries. This philosophy of collaboration has led to breakthrough discoveries.
We caught up with honorees Bess Freedman, Julian Medina, and Mark Melchiorre to learn more.
Congratulations on being honored. How did you become involved with the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s Hamptons Happening Event?
MM: The Waxman Foundation is a leader in cancer research and I was introduced to the organization through friends and immediately wanted to be involved.
JM: Thank you, I have been involved with the Samuel Waxman Foundation for several years, as a dear friend and regular at my restaurants, Richard Rosenthal approached me to get me active and participate in one of many food events that they organize, that is when I met Mark Friedman, chair of the event, since then this organization has been true to my heart.
BF: Mark Friedman, one of our agents, has been involved with the Foundation and brought huge awareness to BHS regarding their cancer research and how we can all do our part. We have sponsored events, done the Step Up To Turn Cancer Off walks and really rallied to support such a great cause. Literally two days ago one of my closest friend’s mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer. It is devastating. There is so much work for all of us to do.
Why is cancer research important to you?
BF: I know so many people personally who have been affected by this disease — children, parents, friends. Cancer does not discriminate, and we need to fight this together to find effective treatments and eradicate this terrible illness.
MM: Cancer has touched our family many times. My mother, aunts, uncles, and sister-in-law have all suffered various cancer diagnoses. As a result, our family is very involved in volunteering our time and resources to support cancer research. The Waxman Foundation is a prominent, local leader in this field, and I am honored to take part in their efforts.
JM: In these days of our lives everyone is related to cancer, a close family member, friend or a neighbor, I believe in finding a cure and research is the key to this.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s event?
JM: I’m so humbled to be an honoree this year, I’m looking forwarding to raising as much as we can and by featuring my restaurant through the foundation.
MM: I am most excited to experience the incredible food and drinks while getting the chance to spend time with others that are committed to cancer research.
BF: Meeting new people, including my fellow honorees, and raising more funds for this incredible cause.
What do you like to enjoy when you’re in the Hamptons? Any favorite restaurants or businesses?
BF: I love going to the beaches in the Hamptons — they are all beautiful and pristine. The sunsets here are spectacular. I love Sant Ambroeus in Southampton, Bilboquet in Sag Harbor, Pierre’s for brunch in Bridgehampton and sunset cocktails at Navy Beach in Montauk. I also love Round Swamp Farm — everything they make is delicious and I can bring it back home with me!
JM: I enjoy a nice day at the beach with my daughter, Olivia, swimming in the ocean and then cooking a nice BBQ in my backyard. I also enjoy going out to Sant Ambroeus, T-Bar, or get a casual burger at Buckley’s Inn Between.
MM: When in the Hamptons, I love going for dinner at Tutto di Giorno in Southampton, playing golf at one of the many amazing golf clubs out east, and of course, spending time at WÖlffer with my wife and children.
For tickets, visit waxmancancer.org.
