So we didn't win but we had a great time anyway! Here we are Team Spatulatta: Belle, Gaylon, Heidi and Liv, all decked out in our best black and white.
The Media Award ceremony was held at the Hudson Theater at Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York. The reception started in the lobby of the theater with waiters weaving through the crowd carrying trays of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Check this menu: Sesame and Coral-Crusted Shrimp, New Zealand Mussels in Sweet Thai Chile Sauce, Barbecued Oysters with Savory Corn Cakes and Szechaun Pepper-Seared Yellowfin Tuna with Shiitake-Peanut Salad were just a few of the offerings.
Besides the four of us, there was Liv and Belle's dad, Vince Gerasole, who was also nominated for a Media Award in the category of Television Food Segment, National or Local for his work on CBS - Channel 2 Chicago. Their grandpa "Pie" and grandma Patty left Girasole Restaurant in good hands and flew in from Pittsburgh to share the excitement. Thank you Uncle Vito, Uncle Gino, and Aunt Jennifer for taking up the slack.
We went into the theater. Instead of rows of seats there were tables set with tons of glasses for various courses of wine. Then we found out that the wine had been stolen! The hotel was kind enough make up the loss.
Miss Gaylon was joined at her table by her hubbie, Roger Brown, and her co-producer and host of the documentary "Living on the Wedge: Wisconsin's Artisan Cheesemakers," Mari Coyne and Mari's husband, Ed Blucher. Suzy and Hawk Pingree, long-time supporters of "Wedge" were also there to see if the doc would take an award for Best Food Special.
The food was fabulous of course. Cooked up by some amazing chefs.
Sara Moulton, chef of the Gourmet Executive Dining Room served up Baby Arugula Salad with Aged Gouda, Savory Praline and Whole Grain Mustard Dressing.
Tom Douglas of the Dahlia Lounge offered Wild Seattle Salmon Fillet with Rice Cakes, Cucumber Pickles and Shiitake Chips.
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich with Fortunato Nicotra of Felidia presented Braised Flat Iron Wagyu Beef with Spring Vegetable Ravioli.
And dessert was Mocha Panna Cotta with Fleur de Sel Caramel by our pal, Gale Gand of Tru and Expresso-Halvah Sundae with Raspberry Suzette Sauce by Wayne Harley Brachman of Porter House New York.
You can't imagine the tension as they read the names of the winners. Three possible awards! We held hands and looked expectantly at the stage.
Well...
We may have come home empty-handed but our tummies were filled to bursting!
We heartily applauded all the winners. Some people work hard all their lives and never get a Beard Award. Seeing the winners beaming faces as they trotted down the aisle to get their awards, it finally hit home. What a thrill it was just to be nominated! So we're extra, extra proud of those medals from 2006.
To Be Continued
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