Hot-Shot Chefs Line Up for Puck’s ‘Meals’

It sounds like the new math. On Nov. 14, 1,000 meals will equal 75,000 meals. And, in the world of charity fund-raisers--where events sometimes don’t add up to much--that kind of figuring is the perfect answer.

What that mathematical non-equation proves is that Wolfgang Puck, Barbara Lazaroff and their merry band of brand-name chefs have now made the fifth annual American Wine & Food Festival into a rousing success--and a major money-maker for Meals on Wheels.

At its inception in 1983 as a “backyard affair,” with several California chefs helping the Spago duo, the event grossed $1,500. In the subsequent two years that increased to $32,000 and then to $38,000--not a show-stopper, considering the now dozen-plus hot-shot chefs who came to cook, and the number of wineries contributing their products.

Last year, Puck and his right-hand person, Tom Kaplan, called in a half-dozen “pro-ams”--a group of friends who are experts in volunteer fund-raising--including Sandra Moss, Pam Korman, Joan Kardashian, Judy Leaf, Judy Gethers and Beverly Singer. The take on the Pacific Design Center event swooped up to $100,000.

Spanning Cuisine Spectrum

This year, using Universal’s back lot “Back to the Future” set, Puck and his friend, Vincent Price, will host 15 chefs from across the country and the cuisine spectrum--names like Chez Panisse’s Alice Waters from Berkeley, Jams’ Jonathan Waxman (New York City), Stars’ Jeremiah Tower and Campton Place’s Bradley Ogden, both of San Francisco, Arcadia’s Anne Rosenzweig of New York City and local lights like Piero Selvaggio and Lydia Shire. Kaplan and Pam Slate have arranged for major underwriting of the $150-an-eater event by the beef industry, American Express and Continental Airlines--all the more to help the Wolfgang Puck Charitable Foundation, which sponsors the event.

With that kind of help, the West Los Angeles Meals on Wheels and the mid-Wilshire Cuisine a Roulettes should have a tasty profit. (Oh, and the math means that if the anticipated 1,000 tickets are sold at $150,000 that will translate, at $2 a meal, into 75,000 Meals on Wheels.)

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION--This one from Sen. Art Torres, who is writing to friends saying, as he travels the state, “I am continually amazed at the growing outpouring of support for the work I have been doing in Sacramento. . . . Now I ask you to join me as I prepare for the toughest challenge of my career: providing leadership for a New California.” Torres’ proposed run for statewide office is not seen as an announcement for governor, but is rather aimed at one of the other constitutional offices up for grabs in 1990.

STAR QUALITY--Next Wednesday, those of you who are out there clipping paper towel coupons might be interested to know, Christie’s in New York City will auction off the “Magnificent Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Necklace” that was commissioned by the late Merle Oberon from Cartier in 1938. And that was, of course, the year before she portrayed Cathy in “Wuthering Heights.” And, if emeralds aren’t your speed, how about a 64.83-carat pear-shaped diamond pendant? . . . Clever New Yorkers have been crowding the late-night bar at the redone Bistro, listening to L. A.’s favorite pianist Joe Marino, while natives keep complaining that there is nowhere to go after sundown.

UPCOMING--The flood of invites continues. Here are some that have floated to the top of the pile:

Lorimar’s Merv Adelson gets honored Oct. 25 with the Sherrill C. Corwin Human Relations Award of the American Jewish Committee. The dinner at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel will feature ABC Commentator David Brinkley, who, of course, works with Barbara Walters (Adelson’s spouse).