Several big name Mets alums showcased their skills away from the baseball diamond last Wednesday at CitiField, and at the same time came out in support of a good cause.
Formers Mets stars such as Darryl Strawberry, John Franco, Sid Fernandez, and Tom Seaver teamed up with award-winning chefs at the Teammates in the Kitchen event, a food tasting and silent auction to benefit the James Beard Foundation.
The event, sponsored by Citi, brought together the worlds of baseball and food and gave fans a chance to see how the Mets stars, who have all been active in the culinary field, performed at the stove rather than at the plate.
Strawberry for instance, who owns Strawberry’s Sports Bar and Grill in Douglaston, donned an apron and served blue cheese burgers to attendees. Meanwhile, Seaver, who owns a winery, dolled out glasses for a tasting and Franco bit into tiny Quesadillas.
“When fans came to see the Mets they were going to eat great food,” said Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides scholarships to those seeking a career in the culinary world or in restaurant and hotel management. The foundation has awarded over 3 million dollars in scholarships and tuition waivers since 1991.
Of course, Mets fans have become accustomed to good food at Citi Field, as Citi has also raised the bar when it comes to ballpark food, bringing in up and coming chefs to give fans’ taste buds a jolt.
Most of the chefs present at the event, like Anita Lo, owner of Annisa NYC, have been involved with the foundation for decades.
When asked if it was difficult to convince the stars to come out for the event, Ungaro pointed out that players like Fernandez and Franco were known foodies, and said that no one’s arm needed twisting.
Franco echoed the sentiment.
“It’s important for us to come back and participate,” he said, “to show everyone we are about the community. Queens is like a second home to all of us.”
