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When world leaders and royal newlyweds come to Los Angeles, streets close down, and mayhem ensues. When one of America's foremost food writers comes to town, we eat! Such was the case last week when Ruth Reichl presided over a luxe feast at Osteria Mozza for some of the city's most celebrated chefs and food media personalities.
Reichl, who was tops in the food section for our very own Los Angeles Times from 1984 to 1993, has managed to stay not merely afloat, but at the forefront of the delicious intersection of food and new media since Gourmet magazine folded in 2009. Now she serves as Editorial Adviser of Gilt Taste, a stylish web destination for discriminating shoppers with a bent for palate-pleasing.
Gilt, one of the most successful e-commerce sites in recent years, has expanded their portfolio to include a food-oriented site, where editorial meets goods for sale. Reichl spoke warmly to those of us lucky enough to be assembled in Osteria Mozza's private dining room, expressing delight in her new role with the site.
Reichl, as well as Gilt Group Susan Lyne, and Gilt Taste General Manager Shan-Lyn Ma, were toasted by all present, including chefs such as Joachim Splichal, Michael Cimarusti, Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook, David Myers, Karen and Quinn Hatfield, as well as food media folk like Russ Parsons, Evan Kleiman, Merrill Shindler, and more.
Quipped our fellow attendee Hadley Tomicki of Grub Street L.A. the day after the event: "Basically, if Mozza had gone down in an earthquake last night, there'd be one helluva void to fill in the local food world today." Luckily, we were spared, and instead enjoyed a fine meal in even finer company.
