I was on the entertainment committee of a private club and instituted a series of talks. I had Oliver Sachs, Fran Lebowitz, Martha Stewart, Camille Paglia, Dominic Dunne (yuck!), Eric Briendel, and yes, the Frugal Gourmet,Jeff Smith.
A dinner always proceeded the talk. Unfortunately, it was the first day of a new chef and he was in a panic because he had to feed this guy. Because he was British, I guess, he decided to serve Trifle for dessert. After Smith insulted a friend of mine who attempted to speak about restaurant food over our meal (”I don’t talk about restaurant food,” Smith sneered, “I am a chef who only speaks about home cookery.”) the Trifle was served. We all innocently dug into it whereupon Smith threw down his spoon.
“I don’t eat JELLY in my Trifle,” he screamed. “There is no place for JELLY in Trifle!” And, indeed, there was some sort of jelly mixed into the dessert. As we sat there in embarrassed silence, a board member ran into the kitchen to make sure the new chef hadn’t overheard. He had!
Well, Smith got up and gave his little speech about spirituality and food and was the soul of hypocritical reverence for food and God. Later on, he bought his two sons memberships but I don’t think they ever showed up.
After he was arrested, my very gay friend who loved restaurant food, laughed and laughed!
An arrogant creep......and him a minister. So tactless to complain about food served to you from the goodness of their hearts.
After a good meal I make it a point to compliment the chef.....b/c they need a little lift...they labor mightily over their dishes.
God, what an episode.
The true masters aren’t high drama. Jacques Pepin would have been total class in that situation.
(Is jelly in a trifle even a situation?...I have no idea)