Vongerichten's Gift for Trump's 3rd Wedding

By JULIETTE ROSSANT How much is Jean-Georges Vongerichten's investment worth in Donald Trump's wedding today? Vongerichten, whose flagship restaurant, Jean-Georges, is in the Trump International Hotel and Tower in New York City, is providing the feast for 350-500 guests for Trump's third wedding on January 22 to ex-model Melania Knauss. The Daily News reports that the invitees will feast on filet mignon with green peppercorns -- hardly unusual for nuptuals and no stretch for J-G. What is that worth? The New York Times' Alex Williams and Eric Dash put it at $43,000 based on a typical prix-fixe dinner at Jean-Georges. The Times quotes Amy McFarland, a principal in Snap Public Relations, saying, "It's about putting the product in the right hands: celebrities, socialites, prominent New Yorkers." For Jean-Georges, Trump's guests are his customers, and getting his brand attached to the Donald is as good as gold. Previous articles: Marcus Samuelsson Flees Philly Jean-Georges Vongerichten in Minneapolis Designer Water: Super Chefs Promote Next Wave? Gourmet Gyms Are Hardly a New Trend Jean-Georges Vongerichten (from the Forbes Celebrity Chefs column of March 22, 1999)