Wine & Spirits Annual International Dinner
Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 6PM - 10PM
Riverpark | 450 E 29th St. New York
A Chance In Life is proud of our longstanding relationship with the wine & spirits industry, which has generously supported our programming through the annual Wine & Spirits International Dinner for many years. This annual event features a silent auction, cocktail reception, and seated dinner, during which we recognize some of industry's leaders in business and philanthropy.
This year, we are honored to recognize Arthur Backal, Founder and CEO of Backal Hospitality Group, Gianni Lanzarotti, Executive Chef of Tiro A Segno, and Marc D. Taub, President and CEO of Palm Bay International and Taub Family Selections.
All attendees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (vaccine card, New York State Excelsior Pass or comparable) and photo ID upon arrival to access the event
Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 6PM - 10PM
Riverpark | 450 E 29th St. New York
A Chance In Life is proud of our longstanding relationship with the wine & spirits industry, which has generously supported our programming through the annual Wine & Spirits International Dinner for many years. This annual event features a silent auction, cocktail reception, and seated dinner, during which we recognize some of industry's leaders in business and philanthropy.
This year, we are honored to recognize Arthur Backal, Founder and CEO of Backal Hospitality Group, Gianni Lanzarotti, Executive Chef of Tiro A Segno, and Marc D. Taub, President and CEO of Palm Bay International and Taub Family Selections.
All attendees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (vaccine card, New York State Excelsior Pass or comparable) and photo ID upon arrival to access the event
Arthur Backal, Founder and CEO
Backal Hospitality Group An expert in all aspects of dining, hospitality and gatherings to celebrate, Arthur F. Backal is the CEO of Backal Hospitality Group (BHG) and during three decades in the business has overseen world-renowned venues and executed thousands of milestone events – from intimate affairs to glittering galas. As a deeply respected voice and veteran in the hospitality industry, Backal has supplied his magic touch in the development of numerous iconic hotels and restaurants around the world. He has also managed 20+ event spaces in New York City. Businesses that Backal currently operates and/or owns throughout New York City include Apella, an Alexandria Event Space located on the edge of the East River; RiverPark, Little River, VERSA Restaurant and Rooftop in the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel; Event Management Firm State of the Art Enterprises; events at the Mandarin Oriental New York Hotel since 2003; CNVS Event Space located in the Hudson Yards district; AOG Design which provides modern event décor; All Seated, and Cellar Dog. Before founding BHG and from the start of his career, Backal worked with iconic New York hospitality institutions and spearheaded the re-opening of The St. Regis New York, overseeing the entire food and beverage operations, and was also credited with restoring The Pierre to its legendary grandeur during his tenure as Director of Catering. He was also at The Plaza, The Waldorf Astoria and of The Rainbow Room. |

Gianni Lanzarotti, Executive Chef
Tiro A Segno
Chef Giovanni Lanzarotti, a Parma native, has been serving the members of Tiro A Segno superb Italian cuisine based on the traditions of Emilia-Romagna since he arrived there in 1993. He studied at hotel school in Salsomaggiore Terme, outside Parma, and cooked in Switzerland at the Hotel Royal in Crans sur Sierre and Restaurant La Perle du Lac in Geneva before coming to America. Lanzarotti is on the board of directors of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America, from which he received the Raymond Vaudard Medal of Excellence.
Tiro A Segno
Chef Giovanni Lanzarotti, a Parma native, has been serving the members of Tiro A Segno superb Italian cuisine based on the traditions of Emilia-Romagna since he arrived there in 1993. He studied at hotel school in Salsomaggiore Terme, outside Parma, and cooked in Switzerland at the Hotel Royal in Crans sur Sierre and Restaurant La Perle du Lac in Geneva before coming to America. Lanzarotti is on the board of directors of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of America, from which he received the Raymond Vaudard Medal of Excellence.

Marc D. Taub, President and CEO
Palm Bay International | Taub Family Selections
Marc D. Taub is the third generation leader of a dynamic, family-owned enterprise that has been a trailblazer in the wine and spirits industry for 43 years. Palm Bay International has its roots in Italian wine imports and today offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the U.S., comprising some of the world’s most prestigious wine estates, distilleries and popular brands from 17 countries. Its sister company Taub Family Selections specializes in terroir-driven fine wines from highly-regarded winemaking families that represent benchmarks from top regions around the globe.
Marc, together with his wife Sandy and their children Jake and Chloe, is proud to continue his family’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy through his support of Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, and A Chance In Life.
Palm Bay International | Taub Family Selections
Marc D. Taub is the third generation leader of a dynamic, family-owned enterprise that has been a trailblazer in the wine and spirits industry for 43 years. Palm Bay International has its roots in Italian wine imports and today offers one of the most comprehensive portfolios in the U.S., comprising some of the world’s most prestigious wine estates, distilleries and popular brands from 17 countries. Its sister company Taub Family Selections specializes in terroir-driven fine wines from highly-regarded winemaking families that represent benchmarks from top regions around the globe.
Marc, together with his wife Sandy and their children Jake and Chloe, is proud to continue his family’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy through his support of Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, and A Chance In Life.
Dinner Chairs
Steve Bellini Herman Hochberg Host Committee
Allen Atwell Dawn Celovsky Vincent Fyfe Nicola Rifino Jake Taub Casey Tedd |
Past Honorees
Jack Battapaglia Steve Bellini Aldo Bozzi Richard Cacciato Michael Cheek Michael Correra John Devin Arjun Dewan Brett Dunne Vincent Fyfe Jason Glasser Herman Hochberg Joseph Lehane Donald Leone Tony Magliocco Charles Merinoff Fedele Miranda The Opici Family Casey Tedd |