Considering that this blog is a recording of my culinary adventures, it isn’t my normal practice to cover events that don’t feed me. However, I made an exception for a fundraiser held on October 13th in the Grand Ballroom of the Omni Hotel in New Haven to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut—“the house that love built”—a home away from home for families whose children are being treated at nearby health facilities.
Headlining the fundraiser was celebrity chef and Madison resident Jacques Pépin,
a true gentleman with whom I’ve had the privilege of dining a couple of times. One occasion was a dinner prepared by students of the Institute of Gastronomy & Culinary Arts at the University of New Haven, the other a dinner at La Vie En Rose in New London, a beloved prix-fixe French restaurant that featured the cooking of Guillaume Burlion and the inspired singing of then-wife Ashly Cruz until it closed a few years ago. At the La Vie En Rose dinner, Pépin sang a touching version of “Les Feuilles Mortes,” adapted in English as “Autumn Leaves.”
Guests first signed in,
then proceeded inside the Grand Ballroom,
where live music was playing
and everything had been beautifully decorated on a fall theme.
There were displays for Trees of Hope
and various items being auctioned.
There was also a PowerPoint display about the Ronald McDonald House.
Although a bar was provided,
most guests were more interested in trying the various wines on display, including these from Carlos Rodriguez of Grupo Bodegas Olarra
and many others.
Hors d’oeuvre were passed around, and I confess I might have snagged one or two of them.
Everyone appeared to be having a terrific time,
including suave Kamran Moody of Giant View Café in Hamden.
Seeking a photo opportunity with Pépin and learning that he was momentarily visiting the top of the Omni, I took the elevator to the 19th floor to John Davenport’s,
which has incredible views of New Haven and an attractive bar area.
Years ago, when I avoided elevators for the exercise, I used to walk up all nineteen floors for a meal or drink at earlier incarnations of the restaurant. I abandoned walking down the nineteen flights because it was too hard on my knees. This time, I was happy to take the elevator both ways.
I found the charming Pépin with a small group and took a nice photograph.
I then retook the photograph because I had missed these lovely ladies.
Ah, but I was still at risk of hurting someone’s feelings, so we took one more photograph…
When I asked if this was the same dog that I remembered from La Vie En Rose, the ever-quick-on-his-feet Pépin quipped, “No, we ate that one.”
Downstairs, guests had the opportunity to buy Pépin’s latest cookbook,
and even to get it autographed.
Then people began to take their seats for Pépin’s cooking demonstration
and various individuals connected with the event got the opportunity to speak,
including Girish Patel of Madison Wine Exchange, Valley Discount Wine & Liquor in Ansonia, and getwines.com, who organized the various wine suppliers and was donating a portion of his sales from the event to the Ronald McDonald House.
At the front was a pair of long empty tables,
which turned out to be reserved for anyone fortunate enough to have a red or white “boot” taped under his or her seat.
And soon, the cooking demonstration, with Pépin and his wife Gloria, got started, and I slipped quietly away.
Ronald McDonald House of CT, 501 George Street, New Haven, 203-777-LOVE, www.rmh-ct.org