Bridgehampton, NY: SOFO’s 37th Annual Summer Gala Some summer evenings remind you exactly why people fall in love with the East End; Saturday night, July 11th 2026 at the South Fork Natural History Museum was one of them.
Long before dinner was served or awards were presented, guests gathered beneath towering trees as the sun settled over SOFO’s peaceful grounds. It wasn’t the typical Hamptons gala scene. There were no flashing lights or loud music competing for attention. Instead, there was laughter, conversation, and a shared appreciation for the environment surrounding us.
The cocktail reception alone was worth arriving early. Each chef showcased a signature bite, turning the evening into a culinary tour of the East End.
Golden Pear Café stole my heart with an incredibly rich lobster mac and cheese that disappeared almost as quickly as it hit the serving tray. Page served tender duck on buttery croissants that practically melted in your mouth. Sen delivered beautifully prepared sushi that looked almost too good to eat, while LDV at The Maidstone impressed with a fresh, perfectly balanced tuna tartare.
Then there was Lunch. Their lobster rolls were overflowing with sweet lobster meat. If you’ve followed me long enough, you already know I’m a lobster purist. Personally, I could have done without the celery. The lobster deserved to be the star of every bite.
One surprise of the evening came from Events by Peter Ambrose. His seafood stew was comforting, flavorful, and one of those dishes that had guests asking, “Who made this?”
As cocktails flowed courtesy of Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Kidd Squid Brewing Company, Channing Daughters Winery, LALO Tequila, Hampton Coffee Company, Amagansett Wines & Spirits, and other local beverage partners, guests wandered through the museum grounds, catching up with old friends and making new connections.
When everyone took their seats, the focus shifted from food to purpose.
SOFO honored Bernadette Castro, Fabien Cousteau, Jean Shafiroff, and Stephen and Louise Pesce, recognizing their commitment to conservation, philanthropy, education, and community service.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Fabien Cousteau, grandson of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, whose words perfectly captured why organizations like SOFO matter.
“People protect what they love. They love what they understand. They understand what they’re taught.”
That message echoed throughout the night.
The live auction featured once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from Antarctica aboard a National Geographic-Lindblad expedition to private villas in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, ocean exploration in Curaçao with Fabien Cousteau, Kyoto, Scotland, Sonoma Wine Country, and the U.S. Open. Every winning bid helps fund SOFO’s educational programs, giving thousands of children and families the opportunity to discover and appreciate the natural world.
Events like this don’t happen without community support.
SOFO’s 37th Annual Summer Gala was made possible through the generosity of sponsors including the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Wells Fargo, HSBC, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, RAND Luxury’s Hamptons Concours d’Elegance, Carl Safina & The Safina Center, Whitmores, Summerhill Landscapes, Something Different Party Rental, Dylan’s Candy Bar, the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, and many others. Local restaurants, wineries, breweries, chefs, volunteers, and donors all played a role in creating an evening that celebrated both the East End and the mission of protecting it.
Walking back through the museum grounds at the end of the night, I couldn’t help but think that this was never just another fundraiser.
It was a reminder that conservation starts with connection.
When children explore a trail, families learn about local wildlife, or a community gathers under the trees to invest in protecting the place they call home, that’s where lasting change begins.
For 37 years, SOFO has been creating those moments. Saturday night was simply another chapter in that story.
Looking for more East End events? Explore our latest coverage of charity galas, community events, restaurants, and things to do across the Hamptons.
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