Katie Lee Biegel has executive produced a CNN documentary short titled “Top of the World” about Windows on the World, the renowned restaurant that operated on the 106th and 107th floors of the north tower of the World Trade Center. The project was inspired by Tom Roston’s nonfiction book “The Most Spectacular Restaurant in the World,” which Biegel discovered while co-hosting Food Network’s “The Kitchen.” After reading the book, both Biegel and her husband Ryan Biegel, a producer, expressed interest in adapting it into a documentary for several years before beginning the project approximately three-and-a-half years ago.
Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, known for their work on documentaries including “RBG” and a film about Julia Child, the 40-minute documentary premiered on CNN on Labor Day and received a limited theatrical run in New York from Aug. 28-Sept. 3 before becoming available on CNN’s app and website. The Biegels secured support from Time and Tribeca Studios after receiving interest from nearly a dozen production companies. According to Biegel, fundraising proved to be a significant challenge throughout the development process, requiring substantial effort to secure the necessary budget.
The documentary traces Windows on the World across its 25-year history, from its origins in the 1970s through its evolution in subsequent decades, including recovery from the first World Trade Center bombing. The film features interviews and archival contributions from figures including chef Michael Lomonaco, wine master Kevin Zraly, and restaurant critic Ruth Reichl. Actor Denis Leary provides voice work for archival material from restaurateur Joe Baum, who also created other notable New York establishments. The documentary also highlights immigrant employees at Windows, including hostess Nathalie Tolentino and prep cook Sekou Siby, emphasizing that the restaurant employed over 400 staff members from two dozen countries speaking approximately 60 different languages.
Among the nearly 3,000 people who died in the 9/11 attacks were 79 Windows employees and 91 guests. Biegel stated that she hopes audiences will respond to the immigrant workers featured in the documentary with empathy and understanding. This project represents part of Biegel’s evolving career following the conclusion of “The Kitchen,” which ended after a 40-season run. She continues to pursue storytelling through food via multiple platforms, including hosting the All on the Table podcast, producing cooking content for YouTube, and publishing a weekly newsletter.
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