Skip to content
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Podcast
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • CN Review
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
Search
Cuisine Noir Magazine
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • Events
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • Podcast
  • More
    • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
    • Black Wineries
    • Videos
    • CN Review
    • Donate
Cuisine Noir Magazine
  • Food & Drink
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Recipes
  • Book Grub
  • CN Review
  • Marketplace
  • Print
  • The Culinary Scoop (blog)
  • Events
  • Black Wineries
  • Videos
Support Our Work - Donate
Support Our Work - Donate

Iconoclast Dinner Brings Top Celebrity Chefs Together

Dr. Lezli Harvell
Picture: Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell | Photo credit: Patrick McCullan
July 8, 2015
CN Staff
Share this article
       

In honor of her beloved alma mater, Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., pediatric dentist Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell hosted a special iconic dinner in June at the James Beard Beard House in New York to raise money for the scholarship that also bears her name, the Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell Scholarship for International Students. The scholarship specifically benefits students attending Spelman from Jamaica and Sub-Sarahan African countries and is part of the philanthropic work Harvell does with her husband through their foundation, The Dental Kidz.

“Education is very important to my husband and me so our foundation, The Dental Kidz Foundation, does support initiatives in education for S.T.E.M. for underrepresented groups and it also supports initiatives in education for women and girls,” says Harvell, a mother of five girls who practices dentistry in New Jersey.

RELATED: Chef Kevin Mitchell to Channel Nat Fuller in Re-Creation of 1865 Feast

RELATED: Melba Wilson: Harlem’s Ambassador for Great Food, People and Community

Creating a Global Vision in New York

Harvell started her practice in 2008 and later founded the charitable arm last October. “As small business owners, we are often solicited by community organizations for donations and we decided to streamline our philanthropy to support initiatives that we are most passionate about,” shares Harvell.

The vision of the Iconoclast Dinner Experience was more than creating a great event to raise money, but an opportunity to showcase the talents of people of color in culinary, wine and spirits. “I love food as a hobby, not only going to fine restaurants but I also love to go to wine and food festivals. I sort of plan my schedule around them every year and throughout my experience as a gastronome, I have found that there is a lack of representation of not just black chefs but black somms and black people in beverage so my husband and I thought it would be a really, really great idea to have an event that featured these professionals of color at the James Beard House which is symbolic of excellence in those particular professions,” says Harvell. “The vision is to bring all of these icons of color together to collaborate on a meal that people will be talking about for an entire year. Not just the meal but the entire experience. Interacting with the chefs, interacting with the sommelier and just having an experience that stimulates all of their senses.”

The Iconoclast Dinner did just that bringing together celebrity chefs Tre Wilcox (TRE Cooking Concepts – Dallas), Nina Compton (Compere Lapin – New Orleans), Joe “JJ” Johnson (The Cecil & Minton’s – Harlem), Preston Clark (Lure FishBar – NYC), Nyesha Arrington (Leona – Coming Fall 2015 in Venice, CA) and Graham Hornigold (Hakkasan Group – London).  South African sommelier, Luvo Ntezo (One & Only – Cape Town) paired the chefs’ dishes that included Poached Octopus, Heirloom Tomato and Smoked Potato Puree by Compton, Braised Goat, West African Peanut Sauce, Corn Mash and Cherry Cilantro Salad by Johnson and a ceviche by Wilcox with wines from Black vintners Brown Estate and Mouton Noir as well as South African brands imported by Cape Classics. Barcadi’s national training manager Colin Asare Appiah crafted the pre-dinner reception spirits that included his Pearl Martini and Green River cocktails.

An Evening to Remember
Chef Nina Compton
Pictured: Chef Nina Compton and dinner guests | Photo credit: Patrick McCullan

Harvell worked closely with honorary chair chef Herb Wilson (Red Ginger – Miami) to conceptualize what the dinner would look like and the idea of bringing a team of chefs, wine and spirit professionals who are at the top of their game together for an unforgettable evening.

Together, the team wowed a small intimate crowd of 50 guests who got a chance to meet and talk with each of them, adding that personal touch that you don’t get to do at other events and festivals.

A silent auction was held on Charity Buzz with two experiences left to bid on that will benefit The Dental Kidz Foundation. Spend a day with TLC’s style expert Tia Beauchamp or be a guest on CNN’s set of New Day in New York and meet Michaela Pereira. Bidding ends on Tuesday, July 14.

The Iconoclast Dinner followed with The After Party Experience at the Alvin Ailey Studios with small bites by Spoonbread, Inc. and cocktails by Junior “The Liquid Chef” Merino.

With a successful event under her belt, Harvell is looking at how to repeat the fundraising dinner next year. Supporters of Spelman as well as scholarships are encouraged to donate all year long by going on Spelman’s donation page at www.spelman.edu and designating a contribution to the Dr. Lezli Levene Harvell Scholarship for International Students.

For more information and photos from the iconic evening, visit www.iconoclastdinner.com.

MORE FROM CUISINE NOIR

On TV and in the Kitchen, Wendy Williams Keeps it Real
Soul Searching: Family Biopic Explores Black Community's Intense Connection to Soul Food

  • Celebrity chef and The Great Soul Food Cook-Off Champion Razia Sabour
    under Black Chefs , Food & Drink Celebrity Chef Razia Sabour Honors Soul Food’s History with Competition Win
  • under Etiquette Etiquette in Public Places
  • LaTocha Scott-Bivens - Xcape’s and vegan enthusiast
    under Food & Drink Why Xcape’s LaTocha Scott-Bivens Wants to “Veganize” Your Menu
  • Soul Food Restaurants by Felicia owners Joselino Neto Lima de Barros, Feliciana de Ceita Neto de Lima and Jose Feliciano Lima de Barros
    under Black Chefs , Food & Drink A Mother’s Dream Inspires Soul Food Restaurant by Felicia in Lisbon
Share this article
CN Staff

A diverse group of global journalists who love to write and talk about all things food, wine and travel.

Related Articles

Loading...
Célébrez en Rosé festival attendees
Black Winemakers Food & Drink

Célébrez en Rosé Wine & Music Festival Announces 2023 Spring Dates

Blendees in San Diego - Monique Roussau-Stewart
Featured Food & Drink

Blendees Commixes Nutritional Flavors in San Diego

Food & Drink

Rémy Martin Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop With VSOP Mixtape and Museum

Be the first to know about the latest online, industry updates, world news, events and promotions that connect the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising

    #IAmCuisineNoir

    This site participates in affiliate programs. See our full disclosure for more information.

    Copyright© 2023 Cuisine Noir and The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Privacy
    Site by ACS Digital

    Any unauthorized duplication, download or reprint of images or content from this website for promotional or commercial use is strictly prohibited without written permission from The Global Food and Drink Initiative. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Trademark pending.

    YES!  We’re excited you are signing up too!  

    Get ready to receive our weekly newsletter about:

    • New articles online
    • World news and industry happenings throughout the African Diaspora
    • Mouthwatering recipes
    • Promotions and giveaways

    Right in your inbox!