Life as a bona fide Food Stalker is always crazy! Appetite? Ahh, Yes! Just like Gael Greene, an insatiable one at that.  A year ago I had one too many people stepping on my toes, which were already paralyzed by my pointy Italian shoes. (Yes, vanity can be cruel) but I was willing to risk my designer wardrobe to meet the Royal Couple, Prince William & Kate, at The Polo Club in Santa Barbara for a fundraiser.  In typical Stalker Style I called in every favor to gain access. My efforts were unsuccessful, but, you can’t blame a girl for trying.  To avoid a total loss, I reached out to the event planner at Your Bash throughout the year. Emails, missed calls, leaving messages…you know the drill. Fast forward a year later and Bingo, my efforts paid off when I was contacted by them to document The David Lynch Foundation event at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel honoring Legendary Producer George Shapiro.  From rejection to Red Carpet!

I’ve got my own special Spy Girl combo – intriguing and adventurous, right down to my Junta Watanabe – Comme des Garsons black linen dress & bone colored YSL heels. (Ladies, these shoes are like a staple, something you have in your closet, like butter or milk in the fridge).  My Alexis Bittar turquoise bracelet was the perfect accessory to “give people the bird” all night long and after snagging a press pass and slapping on a smudge of Pink Peony Lipstick, I hightailed it to Beverly Hills with my dream team.

Sure, I had Red Carpet access only, but what’s The Food Stalker without food? With crew in tow, I ambushed Executive Chef Gilles Arzur in the kitchen. (Damn, recognized again.) With clock ticking, and a thousand questions I began devouring the sizzling scent of swordfish wrapped in banana leaves cooking on the grill. Chef Arzur, being most accommodating, not only answered all my quirky questions but allowed me to witness the amazing ballet of the kitchen and wine cellar in motion preparing for 800 guests. Dashingly handsome in his chef’s whites, this man was not a domesticated animal, he was like a wild cat, a panther in motion, seeing to it that no detail was left unattended. He continues to impress diners with his perfectly executed and delectably composed dishes and impeccable service.

Once upstairs for the Red Carpet Event I saw The Food Stalker Sign on the floor right there with New York Times, LA Times, E Channel, etc. That’s when I knew I had made it, there was no turning back. Cameras were flashing and celebs were asking, “A Food what? Where Food & Fashion Explode?” Suffice to say, hearing I was The Food Stalker didn’t cause anyone to ask for my autograph, but it did give me the opportunity to interview David Lynch and learn more about Transcendental Mediation. This annual event recognizes exceptional men & women who bring creativity, health & education to the world. Performances from Comedy’s Elite: Russell Brand, Sarah Silverman, Jay Leno, Garry Shandling, Jerry Seinfeld and other high profile guests honored legendary agent George Shapiro and it raised funds to support veterans and underserved youth. A force for decades in the TV comedy world, Shapiro is award-winning Executive producer of “Seinfeld” and the first recipient of the “Lifetime of Bliss Award” from the Foundation. The buzz from this blissful event will have me going for weeks! I high- fived myself and felt like I had just climbed Mount Everest! In a fashionable shoes of course…

* Photography by Rebecca Dever

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