Rosh Hashana
I met Prue because of another Personal Chef who was trying to get our Chapter (The Tidewater Chapter of USPCA) some publicity. We were a collective group of chefs who wanted publicity and had no money for advertising. Since we were a novelty sort of group back in 2000, we got a nibble from one of food writers from the Daily Press. The Daily Press covers a pretty large area and of course the paper is available most anywhere in the Hampton Roads area.

Prue Salasky came and interviewed our Chapter at the Founder's Inn one Sunday afternoon. We wanted to get the word out about how we are from the same association but we were all independent business owners who could serve a large gammit of clients. We had a nice in-depth conversation about where we all lived and the sort of services we all did. I considered the day productive and thought a small blurp is what we would get and I was pleased.

A while later (I think it was about 4-5 months later) I got a phone call from Prue saying that she was going to send a photographer to go with me to a client's home for some shots of me working. Another chef in the direct paper circulation area, got a page and a half spread and they took photos of her too. I think mine was about half a page. I had it frammed and it is on my office wall. I was so proud. Thus began my friendship with Prue.

Later somewhere down the road I got a call right before a holiday (I think it was Thanksgiving) and she wanted a menu of three or four courses for people with special diets. That was a huge spread and I got a few phone calls from that publication. Some one even asked what the name of my cookbook was. I had to laugh.

I got another phone call some months later from Prue and this time she wanted something more personal from me...my time. Prue hosts a family dinner at her house every year for the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana. There are usually about 20-22 people there. It's a well educated and lively group. My role was to help heat food up, do any last minute preperation for the lunch and of course to clean up at the end of day.

I am always amazed at how most of the family members bring food and how similar it is from the Christian holidays I have celebrated my whole life. I loved seeing the different dishes. I know nothing about them or their ethnic or religious origins, but it didn't matter. Food is a universal language of love and family. This family celebrates well!

I remember some of the dishes there were served and am basically guessing at some of their ingredients. I did manage to snap two pictures before everyone began to eat. Here is one of three tables that is set up for lunch.

On the right in the silver chaffing dish is the brisket. Around the table going clockwise is a trifle bowl of fresh cut up fruit, roasted vegetables, blanched fresh asparagus, an Apricot Koogle, Raisin Koogle, roasted sweet potatoes, baked pineapple in a syrup, and baked chicken with a tomato sauce with chickpeas. The picture does not give the food the justice it deserves.

Update: I finally got my photos to post today (9/30). I guess the only time that I am going to be able to post is on the weekends!