Project MOST’s festive Building Blocks Summer Benefit will take place on Sunday, July 27, from 4 to 6 PM at Moby’s in East Hampton. The benefit will feature an afternoon of celebration and an opportunity to support scholarships, creative learning programs, and honor the champions, advocates, and donors who make Project MOST a cornerstone of youth enrichment in the community. The year’s event will honor Cindy and Joe Realmuto for their commitment to Project MOST.
“We are thrilled to honor Cindy and Joe as they have been an instrumental component of Project MOST since its inception. From teaching cooking classes and working with the kids in the after-school program to teaching kids how to grow and harvest organic produce, they have given back so much to our organization. We are incredibly thankful for their unwavering support and participation,” shared Project MOST Executive Director Rebecca Taylor.
Since 2001, Project MOST has been committed to bridging the experience gap in East Hampton by providing affordable access to dynamic enrichment programs for children. Project MOST’s mission is to inspire students and families to achieve their utmost in life through after-school, summer, and family programming, as well as childcare in Montauk for infants 6 weeks to 4 years old.
Joe Realmuto attended the Culinary Institute of America and, after working in Manhattan, settled in East Hampton, where he is currently the Executive Chef for all Honest Man Hospitality restaurants, including Nick & Toni’s, Rowdy Hall, La Fondita, Townline BBQ, and Coche Comedor.
While Joe has won numerous culinary awards, appeared on the Food Network, Ina Garten’s show Barefoot Contessa, and in Food and Wine Magazine, Project MOST honors Joe for his service to the community — working with schools, children, and farms, but notably with kids at the Springs Seedlings Project. The mission of the Seedlings Project is to teach children how to grow produce, cook, and eat healthy. Joe also served as a Board Director of Project MOST and created the Empty Bowls fundraiser, where he gathers his fellow chefs to prepare their specialty soups, desserts, and baguettes.
Cindy Realmuto is an educator, community leader, and chef in her own right. Joe says, “The kids and I are the lucky ones because Cindy is a great cook.” While Cindy also chose a career in the food industry and has a degree in Hotel Management, she loves working with children and teaching. Cindy is a dedicated and talented tutor for children at Project Most. She was a teaching assistant at the Springs School for many years. It was Cindy who noticed that not all children brought lunch to school, so she and Joe prepared and donated lunches to ensure that all children were fed at lunchtime. You will also find Joe and Cindy volunteering and working for community events, as well as local food pantries.
Building Blocks Summer Benefit is a family-friendly event that will take place in the beautiful gardens at Moby’s and feature the Tim O’Connell Jazz Trio, as well as cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, ice cream from A La Mode, coffee from Happy, and a live and silent auction. Tickets cost $150 per person or $250 per couple. Visit trellis.org/building-blocks-benefit. Guests who stay for dinner at Moby’s will receive a 10% discount on their meal.