For renowned Chef Alain Sailhac’s 80th birthday, Sailhac’s wife and several esteemed colleagues (including Jacques Torres) secretly planned a surprise birthday party that would take place at Jacques Torres Chocolate.

Guests included: André Soltner, Daniel Boulud, Michel Nischan, Bill Yosses, Gabriel Kreuther, Marcus Samuelsson, Geoffrey Zakarian, Jimmy Bradley, Ariane Daguin, David Burke, Drew Nieporent, Charles Dale, Michael Lomonaco, Sam Hazen, Don Pintabono, Ron Ben Israel, Kerry Heffernan, Elizabeth Falkner, Sylvia Weinstock, Kevin O’Brien, Florence Fabricant, Mimi Sheraton, Olivier Reginensi, amongst others.

The party was graciously hosted by one of the last family-owned grand marque Champagne houses in the world – Champagne Taittinger. And, to celebrate, a six-level Champagne tower was created to toast Chef Alain Sailhac’s 80th birthday.

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• New York Eater
• Page Six
• New York Gossip Gal 
• The Hollywood Times