New York City - Collect 40 of New York's top chefs. Stage a roaming buffet under soaring, white tents. Don't forget Tom Finn, the DJ that Biz Bash has declared a living landmark - and, what have you got? Central Park Conservancy's "Taste of Summer."

The celebration of the start of summer united a cross section of 1,000 New Yorkers, raising nearly $650,000 for the Park.

Among the chefs and restaurants participating were Danny Meyer; Asia de Cuba; BLT Market; Brasserie Cognac; Le Cirque; Orsay; The Palm Court at The Plaza and Stephen Attoe from Swifty's.

Conservancy President Doug Blonsky and Women's Committee President Gillian Miniter greeted revelers who included Kitty and Tom Kempner, Jay and Laurie Mandelbaum, Muffie Potter Aston, Liz and Jeff Peek, Patsy and Jeff Tarr, Suzanne and Bob Cochran, Mario Buatta, Sharon Bush and Alexandra Lebenthal.

Doug Blonsky, Kitty Kempner, Tom Kempner, and Gillian Miniter. (Courtesy Photo: Nick Hunt for Patrick McMullan)