Paula Wolfert has been an inspiration to so many of us. Her first book, on Moroccan food, was groundbreaking. When I traveled with her I discovered that she has the most remarkable palate of anyone I've ever met. And her cookbooks are beautifully researched and absolutely reliable. When I heard that she’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease I was stunned and saddened.
But Paula never does anything by half measures. She's a fighter. In typical Paula fashion, she’s become a leading spokesperson for Alzheimer’s.
To support her, a group of chefs including Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger, Farid Zadi, Nancy Silverton,and Robbie Richter are creating a Mediterranean Feast for Paula in Los Angeles on the afternoon of April 27th to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
The menu will feature recipes from Paula’s many books. The chefs are planning to roast a whole lamb, make Tunisian briks, bisteeya and Berber couscous. The eclectic menu also includes, porchetta, paella, bouillabaisse, rabbit with preserved pears and ginger, duck with green olives and herbes de Provence.... it is kind of an endless feast.
There will be an auction as well. Donations from chefs and cookbook authors are still coming in, but at the moment they include:
Signed cookbooks from Mario Batali.
Eating tour of Rome from Elizabeth Minchelli.
Cooking classes from Suvir Saran.
A French butchery class from Farid Zadi.
Tickets are $75. The event takes place on Saturday, April 27th from noon to 4 in L.A.
Tickets at: http://mediterraneanfeast.tumblr.com/