Lifting a Toast to ‘Icon’ Craig Claiborne

Three-hundred wine lovers raised their glasses to restaurant critic and cookbook author Craig Claiborne during the annual Ritz-Carlton World of Wines Festival.

During the Sunday festivities at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dana Point, Claiborne received the hotel’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award was presented at the Absolut Brunch--one of the epicurean events featured at the three-day event. The $85-per-person brunch was expected to net $15,000 for Laguna Shanti, which provides support services for the terminally ill.

‘Wise Counselor’

Robert Balzer, wine journalist and master of ceremonies, presented the award to longtime friend Claiborne, whom he described as “an absolute icon.” Before his retirement, Claiborne was both restaurant critic and food editor of the New York Times.

Claiborne received a standing ovation from the crowd and responded with a poignant ode to wine:

“Wine has been to me a firm friend and wise counselor,” he said. “It has made me bold but not foolish. It has induced me to say silly things, but not do them.”

Two chefs shared the honor of preparing brunch. Christian Rassinoux, the Ritz-Carlton’s executive chef, created a first course of elegant appetizers, including scrambled eggs with caviar and terrine of smoked salmon.

Joachim Splichal, chef and owner of Patina restaurant in Los Angeles, prepared the main course--polenta with Santa Barbara shrimp, asparagus, pancetta discs and tarragon sauce--followed by a trilogy of pear desserts.

“We don’t cook at home,” noted Christine Splichal, wife of the renowned chef. “Sunday is our day off and we like to go out and see what the other restaurants are doing--or we call out for pizza.”

Absolut, the brunch host, provided guests with small bottles of flavored vodka that they could sip with each course.

Time for Healing

Laguna Shanti, the brunch’s beneficiary, offers meals-on-wheels, transportation, support groups and other non-medical services to people with HIV, breast cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

“Shanti is the Indian word for healing,” said Stephen Coppola, president of the Laguna Shanti board of directors. The charity is in Laguna Beach but was not damaged by the recent fire.

“I was so happy when I called the office and the answering machine was still on,” Coppola said.

Others attending were: John Dravinksi, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton and World of Wines chairman; Sarah Kasman, director of volunteer services for Laguna Shanti; Francois Cnockaert, World of Wines co-chairman; Emmanuel Kemiji, program director and Melinda Simon, World of Wines coordinator.

Magic Act

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation made $185,000 magically appear at its “Ten Years of Magic” Bid for Kids fund-raiser Saturday.

Six hundred guests paid $150 each and bid on more than 600 silent auction items at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

“This is a year when we were afraid the economy would cramp on us, but everyone’s been wonderful,” said Susan Reid, executive director of the foundation, which raises money for the pediatric cancer research lab of Children’s Hospital of Orange County in Orange.

Guests sat at tables adorned with towering Lucite centerpieces that supported top hats and magic wands, where they enjoyed a dinner of filet mignon, shrimp de jonghe, and for dessert a walnut truffle torte with fresh berry coulis.

Among the guests: Erin Wagner, chairman, and Michelle Sarnoff, co-chairman; Jeff and Bonnie Dankberg, Leonard and Susie Buchan, Marilee Edgar, Glenn and Jane Fowler, Scott and Cindy Jones, David and Linda MacDonald, Steve McAnlis, Joe and Janet McNeil, David and Lori Riggs, Don and Kathi Roberson, John and Karen Vallely and John and Kim Weiner.