Long Island Food Critic

The weather was perfect for the annual Garden Party held at the illustrious OHEKA Castle in Huntington. The incredible event celebrated this year's Otto Kahn Award Winners. OHEKA also honored Caroline Monti Saladino with their first Humanitarian Award.

Almost a century ago, financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn built OHEKA Castle in the middle of a 443-acre plot on the highest point on Long Island in Cold Spring Harbor, for an estimated cost of $11 million ($110 million in today's currency). After Otto Kahn died in 1934, the estate changed hands several times and was eventually abandoned in the late '70s. Developer Gary Melius purchased OHEKA In 1984 and restored the Castle to its original grandeur.

This year marked a milestone for the Otto Kahn Awards Program, which surpassed $125,000 in scholarships awarded to talented Huntington area high school seniors. Due to the enormity of last year's Garden Party, the OKA program was able to bestow seven $2,500 scholarships to some of the brightest young minds that Huntington has to offer.

The perfectly manicured Formal Gardens flourished with guests as the Walt Whitman High School Orchestra supplied lovely background music. Attendees intermingled and enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres, wines and other libations.

Supper was then served as the Chamber Orchestra played melodic symphonies. After their last chord was struck, the program continued with the scholarship presentation to the seven Otto Kahn Award recipients. It was a night to showcase and celebrate these gifted students, pay tribute to the generosity and philanthropy of the Friends of OHEKA, and to commemorate Gary Melius, a true visionary whose unbridled passion brought life back to what is now one of Long Island's most recognizable landmarks.