Some chefs aren’t shy about tooting their own horns. Others are happy to let the chips fall where they may.
Like Jill DiPasquale did when she introduced the grilled sea bass served as the third course at Project PAVE’s Secret Chefs Dinner.
“If you like it, it’s from my family’s collection of treasured recipes. If you don’t, it’s from Larry’s side of the family.” Larry DiPasquale, of course, is president and co-owner of Epicurean Catering, a company known for its high-quality food.
For the record, the fish was magnificent.
Elaine Gampel chaired Secret Chefs, held for the 18th consecutive year at Strings, whose owners, Noel and Tammy Cunningham, have long supported Project PAVE in its efforts to end family, dating and schoolyard violence.
Gampel also was the secret chef for the carrot soup that was the dinner’s second course and said it has been one of her family’s Thanksgiving favorites for 20 years.
“But I’m very happy that Marc Spritzer volunteered to chop all the carrots,” she added. Spritzer, a senior vice president and director of CoBiz Advisors, was in the kitchen, anyway, helping with the prep work for the salad course, a mixture of cubed butternut squash, wild mushrooms and spinach that was billed as CoBiz Greens.
Colorado first lady Jeannie Ritter, a member of the Project PAVE board, was the event’s honorary chairwoman and helped board president Michael Hammell and executive director Mike Johnson thank the 200 guests whose presence helped raise $50,000.
Francisco and Gabriella Garcia, Joe Hubbard, Michelle Kales, Phil Laramore and Debbie Richardson also prepared dishes for the meal enjoyed by Dee Writer and Jim Rumsey; Dr. Dean Prina; Linda Goto; Kelli Kindel; Christine Benero; Jamie VanLeeuwen; Peter Kudla; Cori Plotkin and Tyler Streeter; Matt and Sarah Hogan; Steve and Shannon Bangert; Craig and Rosemary Jackson; Steve and Anna Siegel; Linda and Dr. John Roberts; James and Carol Schmidt; and Zee Ferrufino, who was there with his son and daughter-in-law, Mike Ferrufino and Dr. Cathy Carretero-Ferrufino.
Coming right up
The Polite Jazz Quartet entertains at Desserts & Delights, Thursday’s reception and auction benefiting the Hep C Connection. The fun begins at 6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, 1475 S. Colorado Blvd.; the $45 tickets can be purchased by calling 720-917-3965. . . . Christmas at Our House, a benefit for Assistance League of Denver, opens Saturday and runs through Nov. 13 at the historic Bosworth Mansion, 1400 Josephine St. League president Patty Schoenwald says the schedule includes tours, holiday shopping, a champagne brunch and catered luncheons with proceeds going to such ALD programs as Operation School Bell, a medical-equipment lending program and scholarships. Call 303-771-5998 or visit . . . . New, gently used, vintage and designer purses will be up for bid Sunday when the Rocky Mountain MS Center Guild has its Old Bags Luncheon at Pinehurst Country Club. Guild president Jeri Crater says the 11 a.m. event also includes a tribute to Nancy P. Dominick and a “Living with MS” talk by Ami Clay. Sign up by calling Michele Maxfield, 303-333-6827, or by visiting .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
