Generous supporters of the Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) flocked to the Waldorf for the 13th annual black-tie Food Allergy Ball. A national nonprofit founded in 1998, FAI is the single biggest private funder of research into a cure for food allergies, which affect over 12 million Americans. FAI is backing studies of promising new therapies at major medical centers nationwide.
    Previous recipient Drew Nieporent presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned chef and restaurateur Tom Colicchio, creator of Craft Restaurants and 'wichcraft, and head judge on Bravo's Top Chef. Patient advocate Kathy Franklin received the Legacy Award. Mount Sinai Hospital received an award for its leadership in food allergy research and treatment, accepted by its president, Wayne Keathley. Chairing the event were Julia and David Koch, Sharyn Mann, Abbey and Steven Braverman, Todd Slotkin, Patricia and James Cayne, Nina Rennert Davidson and Mitchell Davidson, Judi and Joe Flom, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Roxanne and Dean Palin, Mary Richardson Kennedy, and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff and David Wolkoff.
    The evening, which featured a performance by cast members of Broadway's Million Dollar Quartet and a delectable dinner that was peanut-, tree-nut-, and shellfish-free, raised a whopping $4.5 mil for FAI's mission.