Working in the event trade, we often have the privilege of partnering with customers who bring more to the party by giving back to their communities. The team at NYC-based event design, planning and production company Raiola/Co. is no exception. As true event visionaries, they create remarkable experiences for a wide range of clients – as well as find inventive ways to impact the community and the world for the better.
Native New Yorker, President and Creative Director Jonathan Raiola has been on the Board of Trustees at God’s Love We Deliver for three years. “We also support a number of non-profits every year through donations and in-kind services, including Central Park Conservancy, Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, The Legal Aid Society, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Recess Art,” he told us.
When we asked him if we could work on a styled shoot together, Jonathan suggested God’s Love We Deliver as the venue because it not only featured a multi-functional event space complete with a rooftop garden and a demo kitchen, but it also included the opportunity to give back – with every $10 of event proceeds providing meals for sick patients who were unable to care for themselves.
Looks We Love
On the tranquil 7th floor rooftop garden, Jonathan styled a Tuscan-inspired dinner for 12, a modern farm-to-table dinner for 8, and a farmers market vegetable buffet. All of these looks incorporated gorgeous pops of summer color that complemented the lush beds of lavender, thyme and basil which are maintained by the volunteers and used in client meals.
To showcase the indoor space, he styled an elegant sit-down dinner for 10 in the breakout room, which features a large kitchen for culinary demonstrations, tons of natural light and a wraparound terrace with stunning NYC views.
Celebrating Love
Since we all love a reason to party, the tablescapes and the vegetable buffet remained as inspiration after the photo shoot for a COPE Event that evening, where local event industry professionals gathered for a celebration of what the team at God’s Love We Deliver does each day – build a network of support and kindness. Afterward, we caught up with Jonathan to learn more about what led him to where he is now, his inspiration behind the looks, and his philosophies behind styling great events.
How did you get started in the industry?
After obtaining a degree in Hospitality from New York University, I started my career in the restaurant industry, as well as on and off premise catering, and eventually found my way to event design and production in the late 90s.
The pursuit of happiness through food and wine have been lifelong. It’s what drives so much of my professional and personal life.
What led you to get into event design?
My love of entertaining started from a very early age. Growing up in a large Italian family taught me the importance of spending time breaking bread together. Event design combines so many of my interests, in particular – hospitality and design. It’s a great day when I can plan a menu and choose colors and fabrics to go with it.
Are you seeing a trend towards certain colors or textures in outdoor parties and events?
We love our events to be informed by current trends, but interpreting our clients’ style goals always wins out over insisting on this season’s hot look.
With all of the creative versatility you provide for your clients, are there any colors or textures that you love working with the most?
We let function provide the form, then try to improve upon it or give it a twist. We take something simple and let it take on multi-purpose or a new sense of appreciation. For example, printing the menus on the individual bread bags for an outdoor dinner.
Formal Seated Dinner for 10
What are your favorite elements in the indoor space?
The open kitchen to me is the focal point of the 5th floor space – setting the stage and showing the importance of FOOD, not hiding the kitchen – I love that. I also love that the space flows from indoor to outdoors, the Sennott Family terrace wraps around the space.
What inspired the design for the indoor dinner for 10?
We frequently produce corporate dinners, this look is a simple and elegant look that provides the setting for guests to enjoy the experience and the environment.
Get This Look: Marble Sky Blue Reversible Linen, Glass Bead Charger 13″ Gold, White Rim Dinner Plate 10.5″, Vanderbilt Gold Flatware Collection, Berlin Goblet 15 oz., Berlin Flute Glass 10 oz.-Discontinued, President Chair Translucent with Satin Cushions in CB Silver, Satin Napkins in CB Silver, Taper Candles
Rooftop garden dinner for 12
The rooftop garden dinner for 12 incorporated a dazzling mix of blues and yellows with pops of orange in the floral. What inspired the color choices?
This look was inspired by a recent trip to Tuscany… the light is so amazing there… and we love the Lucca plate! We also had some fun with the menu ‘cards’.
Get This Look: Country Dining Table, Lucca Tuscan Charger 12.25″, White Rim Dinner Plate 10.5″, Tribeca Flatware Collection, Mercer Stemless Glassware Collection, Sussex Sapphire Goblet, Crossback Chair in White with Cotton Celadon Cushion, Marigold Cotton Dinner Napkins
Vegetable Buffet
You created two very different looks on the rooftop garden. What are your favorite elements when designing in that space?
The roof garden combines beautiful planter boxes with the surrounding city… it’s a Gardeners Paradise amid an Urban Jungle. We wanted to build on this and tie the look to the God’s Love mission, so that’s why we decided to feature fruit and vegetables from the farmers market (purchased thru GrowNYC).
How was the “Food is love” wood cutout created?
This is a treatment we have done a few times as buffet / food station signage, we wanted to tie in the God’s Love mission. It is particle board.
Get this look: Country Dining Table, Wire Basket Black, Wrought Iron Basket Oval, Wicker Basket, Straw Oval Basket, Faux Oak Wood Melamine Bowls, Wrought Iron 4 Arm Stand, Wrought Iron Round Double Ring Stand
Styled Bar Cart
Get this look: Zachary Bar Cart, Libby Pitcher, Village Carafe, Berlin Goblet 15 oz. , Wire Basket Black, Wrought Iron Basket Oval, Wicker Basket
Farm to Table styled dinner for 8
What was the design inspiration behind the intimate rooftop dinner for 8 (set with the skyline as the backdrop)?
This is our version of a modern ‘farm to table’ – continuing the ‘Food is Love’ theme… the centerpieces are an ode to a bento box.
Get This Look: Loft Dining Table with Grey Distressed Top, Bellini Chair, Mink Burst Glass Charger 13.25″, White Rim Dinner Plate 10.5″, Pandora Smoke Glass 12 oz., Elan Red Wine & Water Glass, Elan White Wine Glass, Vanderbilt Black Flatware Collection, White Irish Linen Table Runner, White Irish Linen Napkins, Hearst Votive in Smoke
Food is Love
Founded in 1985, God’s Love We Deliver prepares and delivers medically-tailored meals to people living with severe illness who cannot shop or cook for themselves.. There are more than 15,700 volunteers coming from all 5 boroughs of New York City and surrounding areas who deliver these meals directly and with their help, the organization was able to support over 3,500 projects in 2018. Some of the volunteers have been coming every day for years.
The state of the art kitchen includes several huge rotisserie ovens, a Combi steam and dry heat oven, a blast freezer which can freeze food in 12 minutes and a Digester which composts food and makes it into liquid – for safe disposal.
Food Is Medicine
Many sick people don’t have families or access to food that provides them with the nutrition they need. Serving 230 diagnoses, all of the menus are based on each client’s nutrition plan and contain less than 15 ingredients ranging from Vegetarian – to Renal – to puréed – to low sugar and more. Each client gets their own case worker who plans these menus directly with their doctors.
Share the love
God’s Love We Deliver is truly a unique volunteer organization. In addition to opportunities for individuals and businesses, there are holiday-specific and other special projects, as well as a chance for families, student and community groups, troops and more to give back to the community. And, while closed on Saturdays, they’re open Sundays, providing flexibility for those with busy weekday schedules to get involved. Volunteer shifts range from kitchen support, like chopping veggies and packaging burgers, to creating birthday packages and holiday cards.
If you’ve never volunteered before, don’t worry – God’s Love We Deliver welcomes first-timers. And you’re never too old to start! They have a 90-year-old volunteer who comes every day to contribute to the cause. To become one of the over 15,000 volunteers annually, visit their website to start delivering love today!
“Everything that God’s Love does is so well done ,” Jonathan said, “It is a pleasure to volunteer there and work with the amazing staff. To be a part of their community in any aspect is a pleasure. I would encourage everyone to get involved if they are not already.”