Art, for MY Sake & Hanging with my TV Star Friend, ALL in ONE DAY. I LOVE L.A.!What a day; everything around me seemed to turn to silver and gold, whether I touched it or not. I arrived at the North Hollywood Sears store on Saturday morning on a sparkling sunny day to a spotless and busy store, completely set up with our Jenn Air induction cooking cart, mirror, microphones and shiny new cooking equipment. Oh, how I LOVE shiny new cooking equipment. After months of feverish planning, it was remarkable to see the "vision" come to life. I was truly moved. Chef Scott Storms arrived with beautiful produce all prepped and ready and immediately began setting up with Sears's staffers Sebastian Sciotti and Juan Sales. Culinary Assistants Rosa Ruiz and Madlen Torabyan jumped in and worked the crowd, assisting the chef adding even more sparkle to the exciting event. Guests gathered around for the hour long class, Chef Storms expertly demonstrated "Thai Lemon Grass Chicken in Lettuce Cups" and "Tahitian Ahi Tuna Poke", two of my luscious recipes full of flavor and oh,so very beautiful to look at...
With cameras rolling, our twelve "chef-testants" working all around the country in New York, D.C., Chicago and L.A. partnered with Sears crews to make this weekend shine, rolling out our groundbreaking culinary competition to astounding success. I was so dazzled by it all, I found the biggest Hollywood style "shades" I could find at Sears and wore them all day long. (I remember when the Sears Chef Challenge was just a glimmer in our eyes, and now it is real and I was tearing up.) I am so thrilled for all of you, chefs and associates alike.With my adrenaline still rushing, I headed out to see the work of one of my favorite artists, Chris Natrop. I had never seen his work in person. He is a genius, working in large scale paper installations and now in glass and stainless steel. Talk about glitter, the whole gallery shimmered with his mesmerizing organic shapes. I really needed those shades. I then went to dinner with my old friend from high school Jonathan, who is now a beloved TV star! As we ate dinner at an out of the way vegan restaurant, he was recognized several times by adoring fans. He probably needed the "shades" more than I. Yet, he is still the same humble, loving guy I used to go to see the midnight showing of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" with. Congratulations, my dear friend...
Can you believe I had such a day? It was a sensory and emotional overload: a sparking new Chef Challenge, glittering art and basking in the glow of my "celebri-friend". I so often find it hard to believe what my passion for cooking has made possible for me. Thanks everyone for an amazing weekend.
I am still finding gold dust in my pockets.
1 comment:
Rachelle, I am so jealous, your trip sounds amazing!
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