Food & Wine Magazine Classic: Publisher's Party

If there were a Friends episode it would have been called "The One Where Pim Finds Out She Sucks at Party Photography."

What can I say, I really am horrible. It dawned on me this Saturday morning while uploading the paltry photos I took from the fun party last the night before. I spent hours at the party, brushing shoulders with all manners of stars in the food world, and what did I have to show you? Like ten photos. Yeah. Sad, isn’t it? Sorry.

Well, I was having a little too much fun at the party, so frankly I couldn’t be bothered to do it. Or, I don’t know, maybe it’s the cool kids syndrome I’ve got. You see, I didn’t think going to a party with a camera is very cool. Even less so is asking celebs to take photos of them. And it was, after all, the first night and the first party, so I was still getting my bearing. Or so I hoped.

From the few photos I have, it looked as though I was stalking Tom Colicchio. I didn’t. Really. It’s just that since Daniel Boulud was missing in action –prepping for his seminar in the morning as he told me the next day- Tom took up the position as the man-about-party, and really seemed to have been everywhere chatting, talking, hugging, salut-ing with everyone and anyone.

The food network contingent hung out in packs, it appeared. Bobby Flay, playing célibataire this weekend, the beautiful Giada and her husband, and a new face –so new someone had to tell me who he was- Dave Leiberman.

The Food & Wine staff was mostly there, and everyone went out of their way to make me feel well looked after. I was tickled for being introduced so many times as ‘This is Chez Pim’ as though it was my first name. Even more tickled –if not downright discomfited- was when Dana Cowin, the stylish editor herself, pulled a “OMG you are Chez Pim” when she saw me. How does one respond to that, with a bashful ‘hi’ and and little wave?

Also at the party were most of the Best New Chefs. I met Jason Wilson (of Crush in Seattle) because he and his wife came up to ask me who made my dress. Hey how can you not like a guy who can cook and loves fashion! His lovely wife, just for the record, was in a beautiful dress herself, a DVF wrap dress I think. I also talked for a bit with Douglas Keane and his wife. We’ve been trying to go to his restaurant Cyrus –friends rave about it- for a long time, but still haven’t quite managed it. Soon I hope.

Top Chef fans would be happy to see a good representation from that show, from the super cute Gale Simmons, and of course Tom, and Harold the Top Chef himself. Harold and I had a little chat and I took a photo of him for you guys, with –of course- Tom Colicchio and one of the Best New Chefs David Chang of Momofuku.

The great looking food was supplied by Jeffrey Zaccharian of Country restaurant, but I was frankly far too jetlagged to eat much of anything. The few bites I had were quite fun though. I guess I should check out the restaurant next time I'm in Manhattan.

The night ended on the early side for me, jetlag was taking over my espresso-fueled self, and I had to head off to bed. Tomorrow was another day.

Comments

[Graham]

Hilarious :) Had exactly the same thing in London recently, "So YOU're noodlepie!" Although kinda nice in a stalker-freak-you-out-scary kinda way. More power Pim. No horror from what I can see :)

[sarad]

I was there. Pim WAS stalking Tom C. I'm in the photo with him saying, Run away Tom! That Pim, she's dangerous. Danger in a good dress.

[Janine]

I'm so jealous! Can we see the dress??????

[sam]

Yes - its really not fair to keep pictures of THE dress from us, Pim!

[shuna fish lydon]

Maybe if you do a great job this year than next year they will hire a special Pim Photographer.

Great to see some of my old bosses having fun!

[Gerald]

Wow Pim, partying in the big league! Can't wait to hear about what's next from Aspen.

[Dianka]

Wow, I am so jealous Pim! You are a true celebrity!

[Vince]

You should come up to Seattle and try Crush sometime, great food.

Restaurant url: http://www.chefjasonwilson.com/

[Yishay]

Who cares about the food-celeb-shots? No one beats you on food-shots!

I would probably say: 'acutaly, its just Pim. Chez is a server farm'. but that's me, and that's why they probably wouldn't let me in the door to start with.

[owen]

Hi Pim,

and speaking of pictures. Are they worth 1000 words or are well written words worth more than 1000 pictures? I digress. I have purchased a new Canon A520 and want to take pictures of my meals in restaurants. Any general suggestions. I am finding that restaurants are just too dark. Flash is probably out of the picture (ha ha) because it would annoy fellow diners. Also, the pictures would come out too bright. Your pictures always look so good, so any tips would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Owen