The unofficial start of the Hamptons summer season arrived with characteristic elegance this Memorial Day weekend, as philanthropist and television host Jean Shafiroff joined Antonella Bertello, proprietor of The Baker House 1650, to welcome guests to a Social Summer Hour Soiree at the historic East Hampton inn. Held at 181 Main Street, the afternoon unfolded with cocktails, warm conversation and the easy, unhurried spirit of a garden party among friends, setting a gracious tone for the months ahead.
The Baker House 1650, widely regarded as one of East Hampton’s most distinctive boutique hotels, provided an ideal backdrop for the gathering. With its 17th-century Cotswold-inspired architecture and a carefully maintained balance of old-world character and modern comfort, the property has long served as a gathering point for the Hamptons community. For guests arriving from the city, stepping into its grounds marked the true beginning of summer.
A Philanthropic Season in Full Swing
For Jean Shafiroff, the soiree was more than a social occasion. It served as an opening note to what promises to be a particularly active philanthropic season. Among her many commitments this summer, Shafiroff will be honored by the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center at their 37th Annual Gala Benefit on July 11th, 2026, a recognition that reflects her long-standing dedication to environmental and community causes.
She is also co-chairing the Halsey House Gala for the Southampton History Museum alongside Mary Slattery. Scheduled for July 3rd at Halsey House and Garden in Southampton, the gala supports the museum’s preservation work and ongoing cultural programming, connecting the area’s deep historical roots with its vibrant present-day community.
Earlier in the season, on June 28th, LTV Studios will present Shafiroff with the Francis Ann Dougherty Award for Broadcast Philanthropy at the season opening of the Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea, adding yet another milestone to a summer calendar that speaks to both her media presence and her philanthropic reach.
A board member of eight charitable organizations and the author of “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give,” Shafiroff has built a career around activating others toward meaningful giving. She champions causes spanning women’s rights, healthcare, the welfare of underserved communities and animal welfare, and brings that commitment to every gathering she hosts or attends.
The Baker House 1650 and Its Owner’s Vision
Antonella Bertello has developed The Baker House 1650 into something that goes well beyond a boutique hotel. Under her stewardship, the property has become a consistent host for charitable events tied to causes she personally champions, including cancer research, the arts, animal welfare and Peruvian community initiatives. Bertello is a dedicated supporter of organizations including the Samuel Waxman Institute for Cancer and Aging, ARF Hamptons and New York City Second Chance Rescue.
The hotel recently earned recognition from Conde Nast Johansens, affirming its standing as one of the region’s premier luxury accommodations. Entering the 2026 season with added momentum, The Baker House 1650 has announced a partnership with Hamptons Polo House, a collaboration designed to bring together luxury hospitality, equestrian tradition and the distinctive social culture of the East End in a way that feels both natural and exciting for the community.
Bertello herself brings a remarkable breadth of experience to everything she does. Born in Lima, Peru, and educated at Babson College with a degree in economics, management and finance, she has built a career spanning real estate, design, construction and international development. As a licensed agent with the Corcoran Group and a member of their Multi-Million Dollar Club and President’s Council, she works across New York City, the Hamptons and Miami.
Her most ambitious current project is Marina Coast Peru, a forthcoming luxury residential and recreational boating development positioned to become the first world-class superyacht marina on the South Pacific Coast. Located in northern Peru, the project is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027 and will include luxury accommodations, an inland marina for superyachts, a yacht club and a retail Marina Village. It is a project that reflects both her entrepreneurial ambition and her deep connection to her Peruvian heritage.
Bertello also serves as a Hamptons ambassador for Mission Huascarán, a Peruvian nonprofit that supports rural communities through its Knitting Hope program, and sits on the boards of the East Hampton Village Foundation and the Greater East Hampton Chamber of Commerce.
An Afternoon Among Friends
The soiree drew a notable cross-section of Hamptons society, philanthropic leaders and community figures. Guests included Michele Heary, Nicole Noonan, Robin Fleming, Will Stokes, Robert Farrier, Eunyoung Song, Mark Seidenfeld, Maria van Vlodrop, Bill Boggs, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Jerry Kremer, Susan Kremer, Victoria Wyman, Jim McCartney, Meghan McCartney and Kim DeGraff, among others.
The afternoon reflected something that both Shafiroff and Bertello embody in their own distinct ways: the idea that hospitality and generosity are not separate endeavors but deeply interconnected ones. A well-hosted gathering can raise awareness, strengthen relationships and lay the groundwork for the kind of collaborative giving that defines the best of philanthropic life on the East End.
As the Hamptons summer season begins in earnest, The Baker House 1650 once again finds itself at the center of it all, a place where history, community and purpose meet gracefully over a summer afternoon.
