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A treasure-trove of community cooking | 2007 Romance Benefit Gala Concert & Dinner A treasure-trove of community cooking
Chicago
Tribune e love community cookbooks, those distinctive collections of community recipes that more often than not benefit worthy charitable causes. So we love the annual Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards, which recognizes the efforts behind these labors of love. This year's crop of winners underscores the sophisticated nature of many of these cookbooks, which can rival more commercial offerings. "The Bells Are Ringing: A Call to Table," from the Mission San Juan Capistrano Women's Guild in California, won first place for its regional recipes and history. Proceeds benefit the preservation fund of the mission's museum ($30; missionsjc.com or 949-234-1322). Second place went to "Mardi Gras to Mistletoe," from the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier in Louisiana. Recipes salute the traditions and festivals of the northwest part of the state. Proceeds benefit the Junior League's projects in the area ($26.95; jlsb.org or 318-221-6144). "Plantation Tours & Tastes," from the Women of Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church in South Carolina, earned third place honors. Georgetown history meets Low Country cooking in this book, with proceeds benefiting the restoration of the Prince George Winyah Church, built in 1721 ($29.95; pgwinyah.org or 843-546-4358). Regional honors also were awarded to cookbooks across the country. The Midwest regional winner was "A Signature Collection" from New Albany Cooking with Friends, a non-profit cooking club in New Albany, Ohio. Proceeds will benefit the Mid-Ohio FoodBank and other local groups ($29.95; nacookingwithfriends.com). —Renée Enna
2007 Romance Benefit Gala Concert & Dinner The Orange
County Register It was a magical moment, when the sun's final rosy rays lit the historic ruins of The Great Stone Church at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Michael Amante sang the famous "Nissun Dorma" tenor aria from Puccini's "Turandot" to 550 rapt listeners Friday, Sept. 14. Amante, who gained accolades in 2004 as the first artist in 200 years to perform in The Great Stone Church, explained that the mission holds special significance for him because it's where his parents were married. "Romantico, The Romance of the Mission 2007," which netted $230,000 toward the restoration of the mission's south wing, honored fervent mission supporter Erma Jean Tracy. Mission Preservation Foundation member Connie Spenuzzathanked Tracy and the family foundation for "ensuring that many generations of children will continue to understand California history and appreciate our 'Jewel of the Missions.'" Tracy later said, "I love the mission. My late husband Tom's funeral, my daughter Katherine's wedding and my grandson Shane's christening were all here." The ringing of the Mission bells drew guests into the inner courtyard, where elegant rectangular tables dressed in red linens and overlaid with black sequined Chantilly lace awaited along with red rose-garlanded candelabras and garden box floral centerpieces. Thanks to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, and Southern Wines & Spirits, the gala's hors d'oeuvres, dinner, wait staff, wines, and liquors were all donated. The gorgeous $16,900 "Natalie Tara" platinum and 18k gold diamond necklace opportunity prize from Traditional Jewelers in Fashion Island was won by mission supporter Rich Nagby for wife Diane. Guests departed with Amante's new CD and "The Chronicles of California's Queen Calafia," a 15th century myth of a little-known warrior queen and her role as California's namesake, compliments of organizing editor Dr. Mozelle Sukut. Event highlight: The beautiful sounds of Drew Tretick's electric violin filling the gala reception with the haunting "Time to Say Goodbye."
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