It had a picnic atmosphere, but it was no run-of-the-mill outing at the sprawling Ken Roberts estate. That’s where 800 food fans sampled some of summer’s tastiest treats.
Granita’s chef of note Jennifer Naylor was cooking up a storm with her sweet heirloom tomato salad and Oaxacan chicken mole.
Under the shade of oversized umbrellas, guests moved from station to station sampling everything from sirloin chili to hot dogs made from foie gras topped with morel mushroom relish and sundried tomato ketchup. Even Wolfgang Puck made the rounds dressed in his signature white coat and clogs, while wife Barbara Lazaroff went for something festive, decked out in a lemon yellow and lime green silk frock, sparkling stone necklace and Ascot-ready straw hat.
It was all part of the American Cancer Society’s annual Gourmet Gala. Time flies and it’s hard to believe it’s been 18 years since the two high-profile food moguls founded the splashy bash. The event helped raise $650,000 for the society’s research, education and advocacy programs.
RYAN’S HOPE
Actor Ryan O’Neal is back on the job. With his leukemia in remission, the 61-year-old actor will be appearing in a new film appropriately named “Malibu’s Most Wanted.”
The “Love Story” star also has another project in the can, playing opposite acting vet Al Pacino and lovely Tea Leoni in “People I Know.”
After a long and painful bout with the disease, the 6-foot-1-inch star seems to be recovering nicely. Since being treated with a powerful drug called Gleevec, he’s cut his weight down to 200 pounds and reportedly works out for 90 minutes every day. But best of all, he says he’s just glad to be back on the set and doing what he likes best.
FAMILY BONDING
MGM is busy putting the finishing touches on Pierce Brosnan’s new flick, “Die Another Day.” The 20th Bond film will feature a name from the past-Moore-not Roger Moore, who played the superspy from 1973 to 1985, but his 38-year-old daughter Deborah.
The film is due for release later this year. In addition to Brosnan, two other famous faces will be shaking up the screen. Look for Halle Berry as a sharp sex kitten called Jinx and material mom Madonna as an equally sharp fencing instructor.