Citi Bank

Elevate partnered with Citi to develop a scalable culinary experience series for its Private Pass Beyond program, designed to deepen engagement with VIP cardmembers. By centering the platform around chef collaboration and storytelling, Elevate transformed dining into a unique loyalty program rooted in exclusivity and cultural connection.

Citi sought to leverage culinary as a platform to create one-of-a-kind, memorable experiences for an exclusive group of VIP cardmembers. These experiences needed to feel intimate, drive strong demand, and differentiate Citi’s Private Pass Beyond program from other rewards offerings, while maintaining consistency across multiple activations

Elevate created “A Culinary Tale of Two Cities,” an ongoing series pairing chefs from different markets to collaborate on one-night-only tasting events inspired by their local cultures and ingredients. A featured activation brought Marc Forgione (New York City) together with Michelle Bernstein (Miami) for an intimate, multi-course dinner that blended the flavors and influences of both cities. The menu highlighted seasonal ingredients sourced from each chef’s network of local farmers, fishermen, and purveyors, creating a true cross-market culinary collaboration. Throughout the evening, guests engaged directly with the chefs as they shared the inspiration behind each dish, reinforcing a sense of access and storytelling. Each experience concluded with curated, chef-driven gifting, including signed cookbooks and premium items, to extend the experience beyond the event.