VIP attendees at this year’s Ryder Cup are paying top dollar for exclusive culinary experiences at Bethpage Black Golf Course. Lessing’s catering team transformed the iconic clubhouse and adjacent Heritage Club space into luxury dining venues for high-profile guests, including President Trump, Eli Manning, Michael Strahan, and Michael Jordan.
The catering operation has served 1,200–1,300 guests daily, with a focus on premium meats like tomahawk steak, Wagyu strip loin, and lamb. “They all attack the carving station,” noted Executive Chef Eddie Michaels. Chicken consumption alone surpassed several thousand pounds, prompting an additional 500-pound order for the final day.
Live sushi and raw bars showcased lobster towers, crab claws, local oysters, and bluefin tuna, while an international wine selection featured French Bordeaux and Italian Barolos. Clase Azul tequila and over 50 beer kegs kept drinks flowing.
Bethpage’s Metropolitan Lounge offered an ultra-premium experience for up to $40,000 per weekend ticket, granting all-access perks. Lesser’s recruited 30 cooks globally, many starting at 3:30 a.m. to prepare breakfast before the 7 a.m. tee-off.
The menu aimed to blend local flavor with international appeal—Lower East Side pastrami and Bronx-style Italian sandwiches gave Europeans “a taste of New York.” Despite Team America’s rocky performance, the culinary team thrived on the event’s energy. “Hearing the crowd roar from the kitchen is electric,” Michaels added.