HERE’S THE DISH!
Thanksgiving is here. That means food, and no one pours it on like Wolfgang Puck. In the back lot of Universal Studios, the celeb chef was scurrying around in preparation for his favorite event of the year, the American Food and Wine Festival. “You’re going to get food, don’t worry,” he said. “Just sit down and wait till you see Octavio.” He was referring to famed fellow foodie Octavio Becerra, who was about to work his magic with a Meals on Wheels crew to back him up.
Standing behind a stage adorned with fall pumpkins, colorful peppers, bushels of zucchini, boxes of pomegranate and bags of asparagus, Octavio prepped for a fall feast. In minutes, he turned out an extraordinary plate of succulent short ribs, fluffy grits topped with horseradish and crème fraiche.
In the meantime, event co-founder Barbara Lazaroff was floating around the silent auction area in a glittering, gold sequin tank and eye catching, bling-encrusted jeans. After 26 years and millions raised for Meals on Wheels, the talented designer, biz whiz and fashion plate was bursting with pride. “We have 3,000 people. We are oversold by 500,” Lazaroff crowed. “We are consistently voted the biggest and best food and wine festival in the United States, the best food, the best wine, the best music and this is our best year yet.” And with the sweet perfume of Jimmy Schmidt’s Rattlesnake restaurant lingering nearby, one couldn’t argue that this was the most delicious event of the social season. Schmidt was busy preparing a cabernet risotto with tuna carpaccio, Parmesan froth and micro greens. “It’s a bold move,” he said of his culinary daring, “but you won’t regret it.”
A herd of gourmets and gourmands poured in through the gates and were greeted by a five piece jazz band and flutes of champagne. Malibuites Irene and Jim Palmer were among the vintners impressing with their great grapes. “This is our second year,” Irene said. “What an amazing event. Nobu’s my favorite but, then again, I am a sushi girl.” Some of the longest lines were at Mario Batalli’s “Mozza”. Partner Nancy Silverton was filling in for the Croc-wearing super chef who was in NYC, away from the hungry hoards. The reward was worth the wait, with (real) buratta, braised leeks and their signature zucchini blossoms, as well as passion fruit and coconut gelato.
For a bite of the Big Apple you could count on Drew Nieporent. Drew was slow cooking mouth-watering ribs from Robert De Niro’s NYC eatery. “If you haven’t been to Tribecca, you haven’t been to New York,” he said, adding, “and this is the DeNiro family recipe.”
Wolfgang brought out the biggest names in his galaxy of stars. Manning the grills, ovens and iceboxes you’d find Lee Hefter, Thomas Boyce and Sherry Yard of Spago fame, Ari Rosenson from Cut and Rene Mata from Chinois on Main. Puck pals like Michael Mina of XVI, Mark Peel of Campanile, Piero Selvaggio of Valentino and Joachim Splichal of Patina, were also onboard. To work off that fabulous fare, guests grooved to tunes at the main stage.
Speaking of music, Bonnie Doone Winery’s Ruthie Graham even co-wrote a song about the Meals on Wheels food fest with famed cheese monger Norbert Wabnig. “It’s called ‘Take the Time,” she explained. “The message is to take the time to help people in need.” It was a reminder that all this indulgence is for a very good cause or, as Wheels founder Sister Alice Marie Quinn likes to say, it’s helping to transform the lives of those in need, one meal at a time.
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