BMW invited VIPs out to Citi Field in Forest Hills, Queens, to experience the rush of driving some of BMW’s sportiest vehicles. The BMW Ultimate Driving Experience offered a unique happening — pairing cars with cuisine. With BMW’s head of multicultural marketing, Kevin Williams, serving as emcee for the night and with an early Q-and-A with NYC sports greats Tiki Barber and Keith Hernandez, the night was truly a special evening.
Attendees got to take the 6, 7 and M series vehicles out for a spin on a closed track and the experience was exhilarating, to say the least. “My heart is still pumping!” exclaimed one attendee as she exited her car. After the drive, everyone gathered for a reception and a three-course meal prepared by French Culinary Institute graduate and “Top Chef” alum, Palak Patel.
“I got in not knowing what to expect,” said Patel of her drive experience. “The last time I had such a high was when I went surfing. I had my hair in my face, tears in my eyes and I couldn’t breathe — it was a phenomenal drive! I’m still shaking!” The meal Patel prepared included poached cod, leg of lamb and sweet potatoes and vanilla cake with saffron yogurt, another undeniable highlight of the evening.
Mica Hughes of Mica’s Models also provided some glamour to the night’s events with her runway models. “We have partnered with BMW and it’s been an amazing experience, a natural marriage. We provide creative unique experiences to any event. Through our models and our services — this evening, we provided a total cultural immersion package,” she explained. “BMW really supports women-owned business and really recognizes the importance of the female dollar and the multicultural consumer. It’s been an amazing journey and I’ve had a blast.”
“Tonight was the finale of our 10-city tour,” explained Williams. “Our goal is to engage multicultural consumers across the United States. Our objective is to engage luxury automotive buyers and enthusiasts — people who are purveyors of fine luxury services. We had Bollywood dancers, models — a wonderful event. Our goal is to constantly ensure that because of innovation, engineering; we’re ensuring that we’re out in front of everyone else in embracing culture. That’s what our focus is and what our focus will continue to be.”
