Titled “Harlem EatUp!,” the Luminary Awards Dinner truly lived up to its name. At the renowned Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem, guests dined on an array of culinary delights. Launched in 2015 by co-founders and celebrated chefs Herb Karlitz and Emmy Award winner Marcus Samuelsson, this year’s honorees were TV Talk Show Host/Journalist and Author Tamron Hall, and Harlem-born Producer, Photographer, and DJ, D-Nice.
Under the culinary guidance of Samuelsson, Chef Ed Brumfield, and Alhambra’s Chef Daniel Philogene, the dinner menu showcased a delightful fusion of African and African American cuisines, paying tribute to Harlem’s diverse and storied culinary traditions.
The Alhambra Ballroom, steeped in a rich history of hosting jazz legends like Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington, provided the perfect setting for this celebration, paying homage to the Harlem Renaissance. Samuelsson shared his excitement, stating, “Harlem, with its vibrant culture and culinary heritage, has faced challenges, but as we revive this festival, we honor Harlem’s enduring spirit.”
