Hands For Haiti Now.. month one down..

Working away with Regina Marston (Marketing Queen), Rose Watson (all around event babe) and Mindy Smith (good friend and event guru) on Hands For Haiti Now.
Planning is going great.. We are brainstorming details for the event/dinner, which kicks off in just a month at South Coast Winery in Temecula's wine country. Most the girls have left.. as its getting late, and of course Rose and I are gluttons for punishment, and have 2 other events under our thumbs that need attention. So we're hammering away, when little Miss G. Rose (my 7 year old daughter- who I think is sound asleep) comes striding up to the table in her little pink Briar Rose princess nightie. I'm ready to read her the riot act, because shes out of bed, when she calmly hands we her note pad and asks me to read. It is a letter she has penned for the head of her school. It goes a little something like this (and as its my brother in laws birthday today.. I dedicate this to him.. Uncle Jared Charney.. Happy Birthday!

Gabriells Letter to the Head of School

Mrs. Mannon,
I want permission to do art at lunch. I mean like kids from our school will come to the office (where I will be) and give me a picture of what they want me to draw for .25 cents.
Every Wednesday at lunch, in the office, I will be available.
This is because I want to raise money for Haiti and other places in need. No children should have to sleep on dirt floors, or have no roofs.

A student at hillcrest, which is me, Gigi Charney-Di Bernardo

p.s.
If you agree, I will either write a note to (her teacher) Mrs. Sablan or you can talk to her. Please come to my class and give me a talk or a note to let me know its okay.

Again, Gigi
(second grader-hillcrest academy)

OK.. I think that about says it all for us adults!

Signing out for the evening, and saluting all of our kids, who do the greatest things ever- they simple speak the truth, call things the way they see them, and take the most natural step in the world.. to lend a hand and help others!

Hope to see many of you at one of our 12 dinners over the course of this year.. more info coming later this week!

L. Delyte
A cook, an educator, and a very proud momma!

Wonder Womens Epic Cooking Adventure.. all for Haiti

People can be so rude....

This epic adventure that I am setting out on has so many beautiful highs... but also lows, and the recent lows are low.

I've poured my time and energy into planning out the cities, chefs and establishments for our year long commitment of fundraising for Haiti, all while cooking are way across the globe. We've had such a beautiful start with South Coast Winery, to La Boheme in L.A., and
recently, discussions with Northwest chefs and Cities. Crazy Excitement.

Until today.

I was on the phone with somebody I thought I looked up to (or actually this persons assistant). I was told, after a very passionate introduction from myself (in so many words) that I was really nobody and who did I think I was bothering his talent...when really, I am a nobody.

Pregnant pause...

I felt a little light headed, not sure what to say. Because who says this kind of stuff? It's like a bad dream. I did de-whimp (a bit) and say, "you do realize we are raising money for some of our world neighbors, who need it the most, and we all need to chip in".

Insert another pregnant pause

"You don't seem to understand what I just said to you Mssss. Dibernardo (he mispronounced my name.. dick head), what I am saying is NOT that it is NOT a good idea, but you are more then likely NOT (he totally had a fake English accent) the person to carry this kind of project out."

There are many things that goes through ones mind when somebody tells you, you are a nobody. Degradation, humiliation, questions regarding your self worth, not to mention cotton mouth. Then, if your Sicilian/American, you want to reach through the phone and punch that smug ass-fake English accent right out of his voice box!

Irked.. I am irked, and I know I should not be, right!?!

I think this- we all have the POWER to do or be anything in this life that we want, period. I am not the gal to cower, because that hot shot is not coming to the table. I am the girl who bounces back fighting, sticking up for the underdog, and willing to stick her neck out for the betterment of each of us. After all, this nobody watched wonder women while growing up, and I know all her moves! Sooo Mr. Fake English needs to watch his back...yah!

I was speaking to Beth from Cafe' Luna in Spokane Washington this evening. What a bitchen lady. She is one of the reasons I keep going. Why I keep calling, keep asking and keep negotiating with chefs across our kick ass, totally bitchen, we don't back down nation. Beth is cool.. and she should know that she saved me from a pity party tonight! Thank you Beth!

So Haiti.. we are here for you.. each of you. There are many that are super fabulous that care.. but there are also us.. the common woman, moms, daughters and artisan chefs. Each committed to a year of fundraising and educating, in different cities around the world. Celebrating and discovering the known and unknown chefs, big wine makers and small boutique growers. Each of us ready to create and pair our art at dinner events, around the world, raising money for you.

Amen..

Chef Leah.. a.k.a wonder women