Culinary Workers Among Victims of Terrorist Attacks

The Restaurant Industry Mourns: Among those who died in the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 were many in the culinary profession. Timothy Ward, an information technology executive at Rubio’s Restaurants in Carlsbad, lost his life on hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 out of Boston.

Windows on the World, the restaurant on the 106th and 107th floors of the north tower of the World Trade Center, was hosting a breakfast banquet at the time of the attack. Chef Michael Lomonaco and general manager Glen Vogt were not in the restaurant at the time, but as many as 35 cooks and 35 waiters were. David Emil, president of Windows on the World, and his partner, Waldy Malouf, the chef of Beacon Restaurant, are still trying to verify which of their staff have survived. A hotline has been set up for people to call with information on any of the missing employees at (877) 226-5170. The Windows on the World Web site, at https://www.windowsontheworld.com, will post updates.

A fund has been set up to benefit the families of all food-service workers in both World Trade Center towers. Called Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund, it is being managed through Beacon Restaurant, 25 West 56th St., New York, N.Y. 10019. Emil and Malouf are also hoping to set up a night of fund-raising dinners to be held at restaurants across the United States on Oct. 11.

Les Dames d’Escoffier International, a nonprofit organization of women in the restaurant industry, and the Culinary Historians of L.A. helped create the idea for these fund-raising dinners in the tradition of Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935), who himself publicly remembered the kitchen staff that went down in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Chefs or restaurant owners who want to be involved in the fund-raising dinners should contact either Linda Civitello at (310) 202-1057 (fax [310] 202-0379; e-mail cucinalinda@aol.com ) or Katherine Evans, co-president of Les Dames, Los Angeles, by e-mail at cvevanf@worldnet.att.net or by fax at (626) 584-9633.

L.A. events: A group of local chefs, including Patina’s Octavio Becerra, Vida’s Fred Eric, Melisse’s Josiah Citrin, and Lucques’ Suzanne Goin, will join Frank Falcinelli in his Moomba kitchen Sunday afternoon in a benefit for the New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Moomba parking lots. There is a $25 minimum donation, payable in checks or cash. * Moomba, 665 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A., (310) 652-6364.

In addition Goin, and her partner Caroline Styne of Lucques will donate all proceeds from dinner service Sunday night to the New York City firefighters. Dinner reservations are being taken for between 5:30 and 10 p.m.* Lucques, 8474 Melrose Ave., L.A.; (323) 655-6277.

Gladstone’s Malibu donated all proceeds (about $5,000) from dinner on Sept. 16 to firefighters. The restaurant is teaming with R.J.’s of Beverly Hills and the Pantry in downtown L.A. to donate the proceeds from one hour of dinner (5-6 p.m.) on Oct. 1 to the families of the restaurant workers who died.

* Gladstone’s, 17300 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades; (310) 573-0212.

* R.J.’s of Bevelry Hills, 252 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 274-7427.

* The Original Pantry, 877 S. Figueroa St., L.A.; (213) 972-9279.

A Hamburger Helper: McDonald’s Corp. has donated $1 million to the relief efforts in New York. Ronald McDonald House Charities has matched that donation. In addition, any contributions made to the Ronald McDonald House this month will go directly to the American Red Cross.

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Reach Angela Pettera at (310) 358-7647 or pettera@prodigy.net.