Marc Forgione's Tribeca Connection
The chef talks about his connection to Tribeca and the upcoming City Harvest event
For nearly two decades, Marc Forgione has been feeding people in his beloved Tribeca neighborhood at his eponymous Forge, along with NOLITA’s Peasant, and One Fifth in the Village.
Forgione’s calling is to feed people, and on Tuesday, October 29, he’ll join other luminaries in the culinary world such as David Shim (Cote Korean Steakhouse), Andrew Carmellini and Levi Raines (The Dutch), Cedric Vongerichten (Wayan), Emma Bengtsson and Heather McCaffrey (Aquavit), and more for City Harvest’s annual BID event.
Each year, the soiree chooses a different elaborate theme — with 2024 being the year of CHTV — celebrating classic 80s music and videos. Guests will sample food and drink from more than 50 of New York’s best chefs, restaurants, and mixologists as they eat, drink, and dance to benefit City Harvest.
Forgione will serve a dish from his restaurant, Peasant. The chef spoke with Broken Palate about the importance of feeding all New Yorkers and the special place Tribeca has in his heart.
Broken Palate: Your roots are deeply planted in NYC’s Tribeca neighborhood. What makes that neighborhood speak to you?
Marc Forgione: There are so many things about Tribeca that are special — the history, the people, the restaurants. But Forge has been done there for 16 years (first at 134 Reade Street, and now at 30 Hudson Street), and we have always had such amazing neighbors and regulars. The neighborhood really embraced us as soon as we opened and has ever since. I’m so thankful for that.
BP: Your restaurant Forge, moved from its original location to a space that holds historical culinary importance. How does it feel at 30 Hudson to walk in some huge shoes, as it’s the former Danube space?
MF: David Bouley was and is a legend in the culinary world, especially in Tribeca. I feel honored that we’re now carrying the torch in this space as a restaurant and it didn’t become another bank or clothing store.
BP: On October 29, you will be part of City Harvest’s BID 2024. What can guests expect? And what will you be serving?
MF: Guests can expect a good time! This event is one of the most fun ones I do every year and I’m especially excited about the year’s theme since I’m a big music fan. We’ll serve Pink Floyd’s “Pig” with Tuscan-style beans and fennel agrodolce from one of my restaurants, Peasant.
BP: As a chef, why is participating in City Harvest important? What does City Harvest mean for New York City and its people?
MF: As a chef, our job and passion is to feed people, so I’m a huge supporter of City Harvest’s mission to feed hungry New Yorkers. Also, so much food waste happens in New York City — not just from restaurants, but from special events, catering companies, vendors, grocers, and more. So it’s incredible that City Harvest can rescue this food that would otherwise be tossed and distribute it to those who need it.
City Harvest Presents BID 2024: CHTV! Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Glasshouse in NYC starting at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. for premium tasting hour). Tickets start at $1,500 and can be purchased here.