THE CROWD

B.W. Cook

Share Our Selves recently completed the second of three dinners in the

Newport Mesa community organized to raise funds as well as awareness for

the homeless and hungry citizens of this wealthy community. As we drive

down the Pacific Coast Highway passing an armada of black luxury cars and

we see the framing of enormous homes rising from the foundations in every

local neighborhood, it may seem difficult to comprehend the scope of

hunger that does exist in Orange County, even in this very privileged

Newport-Mesa region.

Nevertheless, statistics reveal that the numbers of the working poor

are rising. One missed paycheck and the monthly rent is in jeopardy of

not being met. A second missed paycheck and the provider for the family

just might be snatching handfuls of ketchup packets from the local fast

food restaurant to pour into a pan of boiling water to create a makeshift

version of tomato soup. It’s not farfetched. It’s not imagination. It’s

real life at its most basic level.

The Sharing Chef’s series of three fund-raising dinners is the

creation of Corona del Mar resident Kathy Thompson. Thompson is a member

of privileged Newport-Mesa society that is fortunate enough to be aware

of the real fact that many of her fellow community members, including

their young children, go hungry many nights of the week.

Thompson, working closely with Karen McGlinn, executive director of

Share Our Selves and Karen Harrington, director of development for Share

Our Selves, came up with the idea six years ago to produce themed dinners

in the community, linked together by the lofty purpose of expanding

hunger awareness among those who do not know what it is like to go

without dinner.

The results of their efforts have been remarkable: more funds for

Share Our Selves, and an organization called the A-Team, created by

Thompson and her supporters. It has also brought in much needed support

to provide medical, dental and financial aid to assist both the working

poor and the homeless.

Royal Thai Cuisine in Newport Beach hosted the second in the series of

Thompson’s Celebrity Chef dinners last week. More than 50 local guests

turned out for Sam Tila’s exotic and delicious presentation of recipes

themed around “Christmas in Thailand.” The experience began with

cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres, including chef Tila’s own special

Thai spring rolls, katoang thong and beef and chicken saytay.

Guests were formally ushered into the Royal Thai dining room where tom

kah was served with chicken coconut soup as a starter course. Lady Thai

prawns, kang panang duck and pad Thai noodles followed -- served with

style as both red and white specialty wines flowed.

Chef Tila prepared fried banana flambe served with fresh coconut ice

cream as guests Marla Bird, Catherine and Jim Emmi, Jean and Frank

Forbath, Albert and Marilyn Seykes, Grace and Ray Vincenti, Verna and Joe

Degenhardt and Ann Zielinski shared mutual goals concerning helping the

hungry get through the upcoming holiday season.

Also in the crowd were Esther Benham, Penny Darling, Dorothy Gray,

Joan and Jerry Mack, Doug Harrington supporting his wife Karen, Nancy and

Dale McNulty, Debbie Day, and Ann VanAusdeln. Producer Thompson reports

that the third and final Celebrity Chef dinner of the season will be held

Nov. 12 at the Villa Nova Restaurant, Newport Beach. The Villa Nova theme

will be “New Year’s Eve Italiano.” Tickets are still available and may be

purchased for $75. Contact Verna Degenhardt at (949) 721.1660 for more

information.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.