JUNGLE PARTY

Tails of the Treetops

July 14, 2023

ABOUT THE EVENT

 

Thank you for joining us for Jungle Party 2023!

Save the date for next year’s Jungle Party: July 12, 2024.

 

Please join us on the second Friday in July for the 47th annual Jungle Party, Seattle’s wildest summer party, in celebration of the colorful animals who swing, soar and spring among the treetops! Your generosity makes possible our work caring for animals, saving species and inspiring people.


Jungle Party 2023

Tails of the Treetops
Friday, July 14, 2023
4:30 p.m.
Woodland Park Zoo’s North Meadow


Event Co-Chairs

Sue Borgman, Ambika Singh, Sandy Stelling, and Jill Walker

 

DONATE

 

What can you expect at this year's Jungle Party?

  • Up-close animal encounters and animal keeper-led tours
  • Appetizers prepared by your favorite local chefs and restaurateurs
  • A wild selection of summer beverages, including a specialty cocktail and mocktail
  • A four-course seated dinner featuring seasonal local fare
  • Bidding on exciting auction items, including exclusive zoo experiences only offered at Jungle Party
  • And more!

Meet Our Co-Chairs

 

Sue Borgman

Growing up in South Africa, Sue Borgman developed a passion for wildlife conservation early on in her life. Today, she shares that passion with her husband, Brad, and they enjoy traveling to visit animals in their wild habitats. Sue worked as Partner at Ernst & Young from 1990 until she retired in 2019, serving as a strategic advisor to companies in the software, telecommunications and hospitality sectors, among others. She became involved in the local EY Entrepreneur of the Year Program in 2013, forging enduring connections with women entrepreneurs based in Seattle. Sue has been supporting Woodland Park Zoo since 2014 and currently serves on the zoo’s Board of Directors. Sandy Stelling is currently Vice President of Strategy, Analytics & Transformation at Alaska Airlines, and has held several various leadership roles in her 24 years there. With her help, Alaska Airlines has been an annual Jungle Party sponsor and has awarded grants for education to the zoo. Sandy currently serves on the zoo’s Board of Directors and recently served as Chair of the Board. She and her husband, Cliff, have been attending Jungle Party since 2012.

 

Ambika Singh

Ambika Singh is the founder and CEO of Armoire, a clothing rental membership for ambitious women. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School, she held roles at Microsoft, Boston Consulting Group, and startups TravelPost and Rover before embarking on entrepreneurship. Ambika serves on the board of United Way King County, and has volunteered as Seattle Chapter Leader for Pratham USA, the largest NGO working to eradicate illiteracy in India. She has been featured on the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list and was a finalist for GeekWire's Startup CEO of the Year. Ambika is a sought-after speaker and has been invited to share her story at Amazon, Microsoft, American Express, Harvard Business School, MIT and the UW Foster School of Business.

 

Sandy Stelling

Sandy Stelling is currently Vice President of Strategy, Analytics & Transformation at Alaska Airlines, and has held several various leadership roles in her 24 years there. With her help, Alaska Airlines has been an annual Jungle Party sponsor and has awarded grants for education to the zoo. Sandy currently serves on the zoo’s Board of Directors and recently served as Chair of the Board. She and her husband, Cliff, have been attending Jungle Party since 2012.

 

Jill Walker

Jill Walker’s love for animals and protecting habitats began when she was a child and led to her being an avid, long-time supporter of wildlife conservation organizations. She and her husband, Scott, base much of their travels around visiting animals in the wild and supporting ecotourism. Jill is a CPA and has held a variety of leadership roles in Starbucks Coffee Company’s finance organization. Given her more than 23 years at Starbucks, she has witnessed the positive impacts that sustainable choices have had for her and Scott as well as friends, families, communities and wildlife. Jill’s support of Woodland Park Zoo began in 2001 and has been vast, from participating on the zoo’s Wild at Heart committee to first chairing Jungle Party in 2014. This is her 19th Jungle Party and fourth time co-chairing the event. She has been a member of the zoo’s Board of Directors since 2015 and is currently Board Treasurer, Chair of the Business & Finance Committee and Chair of the Audit Subcommittee.

Meet Our Specialty Chefs

 

Kris Kalinczok

Ethan Stowell Restaurants


Kris has been with ESR for six years and hails from Yuba City, California. Prior to ESR he spent time fishing in Alaska, refining his culinary skills across various Seattle-based restaurants including Cinque Terra and Le Cosho, and even a short stint as a cowboy! At ESR, Kris has served as executive Chef of Bramling Cross, Super Bueno, ESR Pop Ups, ESR Community Kitchen and the Virtual Events program. He is currently the Senior Director of Ballard Pizza Co, overseeing three brick and mortar locations and locations in all three major Seattle stadiums.

 

Sara Harvey

Alderbrook Resort and Spa


After arriving in the Pacific Northwest in 2007, Sara worked in the kitchens of Luc, Toulouse Petite, and Rockcreek, and served as food and beverage director for Capitol Cider. Sara’s pursuit of adventurous sourcing and celebrating seasonal products led her to the Olympic Peninsula. Before joining Alderbrook Resort, Sara was chef de cuisine at Hitchcock Restaurant and Saloon Manager and Culinary Director for Hama Hama Oyster Co. When she’s not in the resort kitchen coaching staff on preservation methods and fish butchery, she’s on the tidelands of Western Hood Canal with her partner helming a boutique shellfish company.

 

Stuart Lane

Spinasse and Artusi


Stuart began his career in Seattle at Flying Fish and Café Champagne. In 2004, he left for Costigliole d'Asti to attend the Italian Culinary Institute in a castle in Piemonte. He later staged at the Hotel Monte del Re in Dozza Italy outside of Bologna in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Upon returning to the U.S., Stuart landed a job at Cafe Juanita as a prep cook, then pastaoli, and finally, chef de cuisine. In 2010, Stuart came to Spinasse as co-sous chef under Jason Stratton and furthered his expertise with the cuisine of northern Italy. In 2015, Stuart assumed the role of executive chef at Spinasse and adjacent, casual Italian eatery and bar, Artusi.

 

Kevin Benner

The Lakehouse


Kevin's resume includes honing his skills at Maialino in the Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, leading kitchens at Semiahmoo Resort and Golf Spa, serving as chef de cuisine under Chef Mark Bodinet at Cedarbrook Lodge and later as executive chef at Seattle’s AQUA by El Gaucho. Immediately prior to joining The Lakehouse, Kevin was executive chef at Cedar + Elm, where he brought his insatiable appetite for seasonality, harvesting and sustainability to his craft. He has spent time volunteering and working at organic farms, pastry shops and specialty chocolate shops throughout the country. Outside the kitchen, Kevin is usually on the golf course, in the gym, out for a run or trying to keep up with his daughter.

 

Lisa Dupar

Lisa Dupar Catering


For over 37 years, Lisa has created culinary experiences inspired by her Southern roots, classic training and modern techniques. After graduating from her formal culinary apprenticeship at the Westin’s Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta, she spent 2 ½ years in Zurich and Geneva before accepting a position at the Westin Seattle, becoming the chain’s first female chef. In 1984, Lisa opened her restaurant, Southern Accents and added a catering service, Lisa Dupar Catering, which currently executes over 1,500 events a year. In 2005, Lisa opened Pomegranate Bistro in Redmond. She penned her award-winning first cookbook, Fried Chicken & Champagne in 2010.

 

Dinner Menu

by Lisa Dupar Catering



First Course


Peaches, Avocado, Tiny Toms, Native Greens (gf) Brazilian Bread (gf, ve)


Second Course


Tilapia Mojo de Ajo or Crispy Purple Potato Poppers (vg)


Third Course


Annatto Seed Spicy Rubbed Chicken (gf) or Brazilian Chuchu and Shaved Yellow Squash (vg)


Fourth Course


Manjar Blanco or “Save the Amazon, Eat a Brazil Nut” (Cusco chocolate cake) (vg, gf)


Wine by Elevation Cellars

2016 Black Peak Tempranillo
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Imperium Riesling
2021 Sauvignon Blanc
2022 Rosé

Coffee by Starbucks

Vegetarian (ve), Vegan (vg), Gluten-free (gf), Dairy-free (df)

 

Auction

Online bidding for the Jungle Party auction will open on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. and close at the event at 7:00 p.m. on July 14, 2023.

The silent auction and super silent auction will be offered online for all who wish to participate.

 



Contact

Questions? Reach out to Jessica Brosman at jungle.party@zoo.org or 206-548-2401.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What should I wear to Jungle Party?

This is not a black-tie event! The dress is casual, so you can enjoy Seattle’s warm, summer sun! Guests are encouraged to dress in the spirit of each year’s Jungle Party theme. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, too, as the party is mainly held on our grassy meadow and you will be walking on zoo grounds.


Should I make reservations?

Yes, reservations are required for Jungle Party. To buy tickets and make reservations, please register online.


Can I bring my child?

No, Jungle Party is a 21+ event.


The event is sold out of tickets; is there a way that I can still participate?

If you are interested in being added to a waitlist for in-person tickets, in the event that any become available, please email our office at Jungle.Party@zoo.org.


How can I reserve transportation during the event for a special needs guest?

We have transportation such as wheelchairs, electric carts, and security escort available for any guest that needs special accommodations. Please contact Jungle.Party@zoo.org to reserve specific transportation in advance.


Who should I notify regarding my food allergies?

We are happy to provide a gourmet meal to those with special food allergies, intolerances, or preferences. In order to properly meet your needs throughout the evening, please be sure to contact Jungle.Party@zoo.org in advance regarding any food allergies.


How can I support Jungle Party if I’m unable to attend?

There are plenty of ways one can support Jungle Party. You can donate an auction item for our silent and live auctions, bid on auction items, or make a cash contribution. Go to https://www.zoo.org/jungleparty/donate to make a donation! Don’t forget your employer may even be able to match your contribution.

SPONSORS

 

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.

Humane Certification
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Association of Zoos & Aquariums


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org