City Harvest’s 2025 Gala transformed Cipriani 42nd Street into a celebration of community and generosity under the theme of Carnaval. Produced by JWP, the event united New York’s culinary and philanthropic leaders, raising enough to provide more than 8.5 million meals for New Yorkers in need.

The gala gathered nearly 450 guests, including Richard Gere, Katie Couric, and Christian Siriano, and honored the Thompson Family Foundation for its longstanding partnership with City Harvest. The evening’s program featured remarks, performances, and an auction of exclusive dining experiences contributed by world-renowned chefs, including Eric Ripert and Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

For the first time, JWP reimagined the after-party within the main ballroom, engineering a seamless transition from dinner to celebration. Through staging adjustments, live musical performances, and choreographed movement across the space, the team redefined how Cipriani could function as both dining hall and dance floor.

Through projection mapping, lighting, and disciplined show design, the production immersed guests in an environment that balanced celebration with precision. The visual experience was developed with Colin Cowie Lifestyle and Mario Avila Design.