Andrew and Karen are regularly invited to travel throughout North America to discuss their books and other subjects in their areas of expertise, which include chefs, cooking, customer service, flavor compatibility, hospitality, restaurant criticism, wine, and many other aspects of the restaurant business.  To invite them to teach or speak, you'll find contact information here.

2005

Thursday, December 29, 2005 — Karen and Andrew love their friend Marla Schaffel in "A Broadway Diva Christmas" in New York City, which also features Kathy Brier, Maya Days, Ellen Greene, and Christine Pedi...and "Jingle Babes" Tedi Marsh, Kate Pazakis, and N'Kenge Simpson-Hoffman.

Andrew & Karen/Carnegie Deli

Tuesday, December 20, 2005 — Karen and Andrew look forward to celebrating Gael Greene's birthday tonight in New York City. Happy Birthday, Gael!

Sunday, December 18, 2005 — Karen writes, "It's Andrew's Birthday today! To wish him a Happy Birthday, click here."

Saturday, December 10, 2005 — Karen and Andrew send Happy Birthday wishes to Susan Dey in Los Angeles. Happy Birthday, Susan!

Andrew by the vineyard at Rancho La Puerta in Mexico

Karen while on a hike on Mexico's sacred Mount Kuchumaa

Karen and Andrew at Mission restaurant in Tecate, Mexico

Wednesday, December 7, 2005, at 7:30 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the Gala Opening Night Performance and Champagne Reception for Jody Oberfelder's "LineAge" at Dixon Place at The Clark Studio/Lincoln Center (65th Street & Broadway), Rose Building, 7th Floor. Reservations: 212.219.0736 x111 www.theatermania.com

"Ms. Oberfelder's high-energy, sly new 'LineAge' looks at all kinds of lines, including wrinkles."
—The New York Times

Sunday, December 4, 2005 — Andrew and Karen join friends in from out of town for dinner at Daniel Boulud's DB Bistro Moderne in New York -- which included a toast to Susan Butler's forthcoming book Become the CEO of You, Inc.

Saturday, December 3, 2005 — Andrew and Karen run the NYRR Holiday 4-Miler, held in New York's Central Park.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 — Andrew and Karen look forward to tasting, and to toasting the launch of, DTOUR Macon-Villages with Daniel Boulud, Daniel Johnnes, and Dominique Lafon.

Bill Bratton, Rikki Klieman, Steve Tyrell, Sylvia Connors,
Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page at the Cafe Carlyle

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the evening performance of Steve Tyrell at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City.

As Steve will be bringing his soulful style to American popular standards like "This Guy's In Love" at the Cafe Carlyle through Dec. 31st, other hopeless romantics like us shouldn't miss it!

Sunday, November 20 - Monday, November 28, 2005 — Andrew and Karen visit Paris. Joyeux Thanksgiving!

Saturday, November 19, 2005 — Andrew and Karen send birthday wishes to Rocco DiSpirito. Happy birthday, Rocco!

Karen w/ Gael Greene, Snyder, Rikki Klieman, Donna Hanover

Kathleen Turner, Karen Page; Karen with Florence Fabricant

Karen w/ Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg & Diane von Furstenberg

Karen w/ Bobbi Brown and husband; Kathy Doyle and sister
Time Warner Book Group President & COO Maureen Egen

Karen Page, Leslie Crocker Snyder and Geraldine Ferraro talk
with Donna Zaccaro; Karen Page and Rikki Klieman

Karen w/ Judy Haberkorn, Donna Zaccaro, and Ariane Daguin

Karen w/ Carol Einiger; Rainbow Room's view of Central Park

Friday, November 18, 2005, noon to 2 pm — Karen is an invited guest to the Citymeals-on-Wheels' Annual Power Lunch for Women at The Rainbow Room in New York City, the yearly gathering of 300+ fabulous women benefitting a fabulously important cause: feeding Manhattan's homebound elderly. www.citymeals.org

Tuesday, October 25, 2005, 5:30 - 7:30 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the book launch party for chef-restaurateur Cesare Casella's Truly Tuscan at Maremma restaurant in New York City.

Sunday, October 23, 2005, 7:30 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the birthday celebration of New York Times bestselling author Michael Gelb (How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci, Discover Your Genius, et al).

Thursday, October 20, 2005, 7:00 pm - midnight — Andrew and Karen attend the 20th anniversary celebration of restaurateur Danny Meyer and chef Michael Romano's Union Square Cafe in New York City.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at 2:30 pm — Karen has a number of one-on-one mentoring meetings with student mentees, and is a featured guest speaker at The Council of 100 conference at Northwestern University, along with co-panelists Rikki Klieman of Court TV and novelist Loraine Despres (who will also be signing copies of her brand-new book The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell), in Evanston, Illinois.

"Thank you for meeting with me yesterday.  I had a wonderful time talking to you! You provided me with a great stepping off point for thinking about what career I would like to pursue.  You also provided a great relief in helping me realize that I have time to figure it out and that there is no 'wrong' path."
—Northwestern sophomore

"It was so good to meet and catch up with you this morning....Thank you again for taking the time to come and see us -- it really means so much to us!"
—Northwestern junior

Andrew and Karen -- after 13.1 miles....

Sunday, October 2, 2005, 8:15 am — Andrew and Karen run the 13.1-mile Grete's Great Gallop Half-Marathon in Central Park in New York City -- after Karen got a high five from world record-setting marathoner Grete Weitz herself as she crossed the starting line!

Tuesday, September 27, 2005, 5:30 - 7:45 pm — Karen attends the private advance screening of "Commander in Chief," the first primetime television program starring a woman president, hosted by Caroline Hirsch of Caroline's Comedy Club and Marie Wilson of The White House Project, with special guests Gloria Steinem and Arianna Huffington.

The 20 chefs and their 20 "Celebrity Sous Chefs" at the
Sept. 26th SHARE event at Chelsea Piers; Karen Page (c.) is
flanked by actress Crystal Hunt & Inside's Charleen Badman

Monday, September 26, 2005 at 6 pm (VIP reception) and 7-9 pm — Karen is featured as "Celebrity Sous Chef" to Guest Chef Charleen Badman of Inside restaurant at the 2nd Annual "A Second Helping of Life" event at Chelsea Piers in New York City. This is an all-women NYC chef event and auction benefitting SHARE, a New York City-based not-for-profit organization that offers peer-led support to women with breast or ovarian cancer, their families and friends. Other Guest Chefs include Rebecca Charles of Pearl Oyster Bar; Ariane Daguin of D'Artagnan; Anita Lo of Annisa; and Amy Scherber of Amy's Bread, among others. Other "Celebrity Sous Chefs" (primarily actresses, anchors and authors) include Blair Brown, Carol Higgins Clark, Christine Ebersole, Jessica Hecht, Leslie Uggams, and Joyce Wadler, among others. www.sharecancersupport.org.

"On behalf of all of us at SHARE, I want to thank you once again for gracing us with your presence at 'A Second Helping of Life' on Monday. Everyone who attended loved the event and many remarked on the quality and generosity of our sous chefs. At this point, it looks like we're going to raise more money than we did last year ($215,000), in addition to garnering some very positive newspaper and television coverage. I wish you the best with any upcoming projects you may have and hope we can work together again next year. P.S. I understand we have a mutual acquaintance: Gerry Cornez of The Acting Company, who I worked with for a couple years (and who is one of my favorite people)."
—Mary Fridley, SHARE

"If Jean-Georges Vongerichten is New York's highest-paid chef, as reported in New York magazine (at $6 million), maybe it's because he's also its busiest. The other night, he personally prepared hors d'oeuvres at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Relais & Chateaux office at 148 E. 63rd St., along with New York's second-highest-paid chef, Daniel Boulud (at $4 million) of restaurant Daniel and Patrick O'Connell of the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. Just hours later, Vongerichten was back at Perry Street overseeing dinner for a packed restaurant that included several tables of food professionals -- from chef Kerry Heffernan of Eleven Madison Park dining with Ecco Press publisher Dan Halpern; to authors Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page dining with Court TV's Rikki Klieman and Democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman; to Mario Batali (New York's third-highest-paid chef, at $2 million) and his wife, Susi Cahn, dining with another couple and celebrating Mario's 45th birthday."
—Richard Johnson, "Page Six," THE NEW YORK POST (September 25, 2005)

Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 9:15 am — Andrew and Karen run the four-mile Fitness magazine Mind, Body, Spirit Race in New York City's Central Park.

Otho Kerr & Andrew Dornenburg; Trey Wilson & Karen Page

September 15, 2005 — Andrew and Karen dine at Bette in New York City.

September 14, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the book party for cheese guru Max McCalman at the Artisanal Cheese Center in New York celebrating his new book CHEESE: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Best.

September 13, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the Election Night party for their friend the Hon. Leslie Crocker Snyder.

September 12, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the operning party for the new restaurant from Five Points' owners, Cookshop, in New York City.

September 9, 2005 — Andrew and Karen are interviewed by Jan Uebelherr for an article on dining out (and getting a great table!) for the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL.

Sunday, August 28, 2005 at 7:00 am — Karen finishes the NYRR Manhatttan Half-Marathon (13.1-mile race) in New York City's Central Park.

August 2005 — Andrew and Karen are interviewed by Tracy Kendrick for an article on Michelin's forthcoming Red Guide to New York City for FRANCE magazine.

Thursday, August 25, 2005 — Andrew and Karen celebrate their 15-year wedding anniversary today. Hard to believe that it was 15 years ago already that they exchanged vows at Biba restaurant in Boston! (Today, they also send happy 27th birthday wishes to Craig Atlas at Bette restaurant!)

August 2005 — Andrew and Karen are interviewed by Judy Messina for an article on couples who work together for CRAIN'S NEW YORK BUSINESS magazine.

August 15, 2005 — Andrew and Karen are quoted in an article in U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT magazine.

Friday, August 12, 2005 at 10:20 am ET / 7:20 am PT — Andrew and Karen are interviewed by Rikki Klieman on Los Angeles' KFI Radio AM 640.

Tuesday, August 9, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the premiere of (and after-party for) Natasha Richardson's new movie "Asylum."

Tuesday, August 9, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the first-ever Barista Olympics, a heated coffee competition among the Union Square Hospitality Group's restaurants (e.g. Eleven Madison Park, The Modern, Union Square Cafe, Tabla, etc.) held at Cafe 2 at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Congratulations to winner Maria Franco of Cafe 2 for her grand prize win of a La Spaziale home espresso machine!

Saturday, July 23, 2005 at 8:30 am — Karen runs the four-mile Run for Central Park where else but New York City's Central Park.

Saturday, July 16, 2005 at 8:30 am — Andrew and Karen run the five-mile race NYRR Dash and Splash in New York City's Central Park.

(Karen, who finished the race despite a knee injury, credits her trusty iPod Shuffle mix, which today included several tracks off the amazing acoustic CD of the new Foo Fighters "In Your Honor," Eminem's "Lose Yourself," Franz Ferdinand's "This Fire," and The Plimsouls' "A Million Miles Away.")

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 — Andrew and Karen enjoy dinner during the soft opening of Maremma restaurant in New York City. For more information, click here.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 from 6-9 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the party hosted by photographer Patrick McMullan celebrating the opening of the 5th location of Pump in New York City. For more information, click here.

Saturday, June 25, 2005 at 9 am — In honor of Gay Pride Weekend 2005, Andrew and Karen (a straight couple — not that there's anything wrong with that) run the five-mile Front Runners New York Lesbian and Gay Pride Run in Central Park in New York City.

Sunday, June 18, 2005 at 8 am — Andrew and Karen run the five-mile Father's Day Run Against Prostate Cancer race in Central Park in New York City.

Danny Meyer led a tasting of six wines with Blue Smoke BBQ

Saturday, June 11, 2005 from 3:00 - 3:45 pm — Andrew and Karen attend Danny Meyer's "Wine for Swine" seminar on pairing wine with barbecue at Jazz Standard in New York City. $25/person. For more information on attending this event, which is part of the 2005 Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, please visit http://www.bigapplebbq.org.

Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 9:00 am — Karen runs the Circle of Friends New York Mini 10K (6.2-mile race) in New York City's Central Park.

Thursday, June 9, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the Consul General of Canada Pamela Wallin's celebration of Canadian culinary expertise, wine and gourmet dining, "Eat, Drink Canada at Madison Park" in New York City.

"I wanted to express our gratitude for your quotes on Rocco DiSpirito's radio program and the quotes you delivered for Ron Eade's Ottawa Citizen article. Many Canadians and Americans have emailed or called to express their interest in the event and to have your validation has given us the much-needed exposure into the 'right' culinary circles, here in New York and abroad."
— Philip A.J. Nichols, Trade Commissioner, Canadian Consulate General

Tuesday, June 7, 2005, 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm — Andrew and Karen celebrate the arrival of BLT STEAK and BLT FISH's new sibling BLT PRIME (111 East 22nd Street) in New York City.

Tuesday, June 7, 2005, 11 am - 12 noon ET — Andrew and Karen are guests this morning on WOR Radio's "Food Talk with Rocco DiSpirito" in New York City. Ask a question — call in at 800-321-0710. You can listen live on the Web at http://www.roccodispirito.com.

Monday, June 6, 2005, 7:30 pm - midnight — Andrew and Karen support the Citymeals-on-Wheels' annual benefit "A Tribute to James Beard" in New York City. For details, click here.

Monday, June 6, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the 3rd annual gala of the Sarcoma Foundation of America in the Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center (311 West 34th Street) in New York City. For details, click here.

"I can't tell you how happy I am that you came last night.  You added more glamor to the occasion!"
—Addie Tomei, Gala Co-Chair

Two teams (including the English, to the left) preparing their
dishes for the "Best Chow" contest aboard The Intrepid...

...while the JFK Marines display their Operational Rations
known as MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat)

Sunday, May 29, 2005 at 2 pm — Andrew and Karen serve as hosts of the popular annual "Best Chow" competition, held as part of "Fleet Week" aboard The Intrepid in New York City. They are joined by celebrated chef judges such as Cesare Casella of Beppe; Gina DePalma of Babbo, and Pitita Lago. This year's winning team from Canada received copies of BECOMING A CHEF. www.intrepidmuseum.org

"The U.S. may have the biggest Navy, but could it be that Canadian sailors are the best fed? Maybe so — if you trust the results of the annual Fleet Week chow-off held yesterday aboard the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. A team of Canadian chefs won Best Appetizer and Best Overall Dish awards for a mouth-watering meal of spring biscotti, Atlantic seafood chowder, Arctic char and a maple reduction encased in vanilla pudding. 'We eat very well,' said Patti Cadwell of Halifax, a chef on the patrol frigate St. John's. 'We eat a lot. We try new things on the ship all the time. It's not just meat and potatoes.' Gina DePalma, pastry chef at the acclaimed Greenwich Village restaurant Babbo and a judge, said she was wowed by the sailors' concoctions. 'I think a lot of these guys could have a restaurant in Manhattan,' she said. 'I've had far worse meals in Manhattan.' Sailors on the French ship Meuse won for Best Entree, while chefs on the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy were awarded the Best Dessert prize. Chefs from Pakistan and England also joined the friendly competition."
—Derek Rose, New York Daily News (5/30/05)

Andrew Dornenburg, Karen Page and other "kindred spirits"
visit the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy

Friday, May 13 - Sunday, May 15, 2005 — Andrew and Karen participate in the conference of the Kindred Spirits Network, held in East Troy, Wisconsin at Nokomis Eco-Dairy, a 300-acre
grass-based dairy farm. Participant comments included:

"Beauty and connection, supporting my destiny with roots in the Earth."

"Magic time together, nurtured by the land. Incredible home-grown organic food feeding body and soul."

"The intersection of food, land, spirituality, friendship and long conversations. Profound, powerful connection."

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 at 8 am — Andrew and Karen attend a breakfast in support of the Hon. Leslie Crocker Snyder at the Sheraton in New York City. Please join them there by RSVPing at snyderfornewyork.org. You can read a major feature on Leslie in the May 16th NEW YORK magazine here.

Sunday, May 8, 2005 — Andrew writes, "It's Karen's Birthday today! To wish her a Happy Birthday, click here."

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 8 pm — Andrew and Karen are invited to be guests at a panel discussion on "Adventurous Eating" moderated by insatiable critic Gael Greene and featuring chefs Lidia Bastianich, Mario Batali and Fergus Henderson at the 92nd St. Y in New York City. To register to attend ($25; code T-LC5CB08-01), visit www.92y.org.

Andrew Dornenburg, Serena Bass, Karen Page and Andrew
Carmellini at the 2005 James Beard Foundation Awards

Celebrated L.A. taco stand Yuca's co-owner Socorro Herrara
(who runs it with her daughter Dora) accepts her Award

Monday, May 2, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the James Beard Awards, held at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. For more photos from the event, click here. For more information on the Awards, visit www.jamesbeard.org.

"Among such high-class gourmet types as Serena Bass, Mario Batali and Danny Meyer who won James Beard Awards at the Marriott Marquis on Monday night were the owners of the modest L.A. taco shack Yuca's, which is notorious for its great, cheap tacos and long lines. At the reception, co-owner Dora Herrera lodged a complaint about loyal customer LAPD Chief Bill Bratton, scolding, 'I always have to keep reminding him that the police don't have to stand in line because he keeps waiting his turn.'"
— Richard Johnson, "Page Six, " The New York Post (5/4/05)

Andrew Dornenburg, Gina DePalma of Babbo and Cesare
Casella of Beppe at the Chef's Night Out party at Ono

Sunday, May 1, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend Bon Appetit's Chefs Night Out Gala in New York City.

May 2005 — Karen is interviewed for this month's issue of the magazine All You.

Monday, April 25, 2005 at 7 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the book party celebrating the launch of Melissa de la Cruz's Fresh Off the Boat at Cendrillon in New York City.

Sunday, April 24, 2005 at 9 am — Andrew and Karen run the Thomas G. Labrecque Classic four-mile race benefiting lung cancer research in New York City's Central Park.

Friday, April 22, 2005 at 7 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the birthday party of their friend Samson Day (son of bestselling author Laura Day) hosted by CAA's Kevin Huvane and nightclub owner Amy Sacco at Bungalow 8 in New York City. Happy Birthday, Samson!

Monday, April 18, 2005 at 7 pm — Andrew and Karen attend the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Gala Tribute to Dustin Hoffman at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. The evening will include highlights from Mr. Hoffman's extensive body of work and accolades from the artists who have worked with and known him throughout his career, including Robert DeNiro, Mike Nichols, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Beals and David O. Russell.

Monday, April 18, 2005 at 6 pm — Andrew and Karen attend a cocktail party to celebrate the creation of the Maybourne Hotel Group (The Berkeley, Claridge's and The Connaught) at Asprey in New York City.

Friday, April 15, 2005 — Andrew has been interviewed as a "famous alum" of McDonald's for a coffee table book that is being published today, celebrating the occasion of McDonald's 50th anniversary. The first McDonald's franchise was opened by Ray Kroc on this day in 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois. McDonald's is the world's leading food service retailer with more than 30,000 local McDonald's restaurants serving 47 million customers each day in more than 100 countries.

Andrew Dornenburg at the Medill School

Thursday, April 14, 2005 at 8 am — Andrew and Karen are guest speakers at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in Evanston, Illinois, in a class taught by Newsweek's Karen Springen.

"Thank you so much — you were just great....You were guest speakers extraordinaire!"
— Karen Springen, Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism

Event moderator Janet Shlaes (standing) introduces panelists
Christine Canabou, Karen Page, Amy Rosenthal, Bonnie Typlin,
and Ava Youngblood at The Council of 100's Spring meeting

April 13 - 14, 2005 — Karen attends the Spring meeting of The Council of 100 at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ilinois. She also speaks on the panel "How to Make Your Career Move" at 6:15 pm on Wednesday, April 13th, moderated by Dr. Janet Shlaes with Fast Company's Christine Canabou, foundation director Amy Rosenthal, pediatrician Bonnie Typlin, and headhunter Ava Youngblood. Each panelist was asked to share a "big idea" about career management — and here are excerpts from Karen's "Big 10":

1)  Follow your bliss.  Listen to the small, still voice inside you — and what it says it would be most interesting and exciting to do.  If you're going to get up every morning and work 8-12+ hours before you go to sleep, you can't just like your work.  You have to love it.  People who love what they do definitely have an edge.  2)  Know yourself.  Then you'll be able to sense when that small, still voice changes, and you can change your path accordingly — i.e. get a new job, join a new company, or change industries altogether.  Make sure you're doing something you're passionate about.  3)  Know your strengths.  Identifying, developing, and leveraging your unique strengths is what will allow you to succeed professionally.  4)  Know your weaknesses.  These are the things that can trip you up if you're not careful.  5)  Always go the extra mile.  In any task you're assigned or any project you take on, do it to the best of your ability.  Make excellence your trademark.  6) Recognize and seize opportunities.  Keep your eyes open for what intrigues you (e.g. burgeoning trends, people or companies that are rising stars), and hitch yourself to them.  7)  Help others succeed.  You'll develop new capabilities in the process — plus the people you help will remember you, and will be helpful to you.   8)  Add value at every opportunity.  Offer your energy, your ideas, your network.  It will come back to you tenfold.  9)  Toot your own horn about your accomplishments -- albeit tactfully.  Let others know what you're doing and how to reach you (e.g. business card, resume, Web site).  10)  Have fun!  All work and no play leads to burnout.  Take regular days off during the week, and annual vacations. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all of your experiences on campus and was awe inspired by how you succeeded to be in the career you are in today....You have shown me how it is possible to be a leader in the corporate realm, and a dynamic human being (as a female nonetheless) while still loving what you do, and always making time to give back to worthy causes.'"
— Stephanie, sophomore, Northwestern University

"I want to thank you for sharing at the panel discussion.  Your positive attitude is so refreshing, and your accomplishments are incredible."
— Ashley, junior, Northwestern University

"It was a great pleasure to meet Karen, and I was awe-inspired about her expansive experiences. I, too, am planning on investment banking and business school, so hearing her insights on that process was a valuable experience for me. Also, I must tell you that I was just touched when Andrew's entering the room prompted her to say, 'my better half just came in.' I loved hearing about how you collaborated together to take on the world of cuisine, and the website that you two have developed is just beautiful. I will be referring to it often for the latest reviews and recommendations."
— Jeanne, student, Northwestern University

"I had a great time talking with you and your husband today.  After having met you both and read all the things about you on your website, I think you both are truly amazing people, and I am very inspired by your talents and enthusiasm."
— Sophomore woman student at Northwestern University

"I just wanted to thank you for meeting with me at NU's Council of One Hundred.  Hearing just how much effort you put into promoting your book was a real wake-up call for me.  It gave me a lot of ideas about how to approach my next creative project and my career as a whole.  Most of all, your enthusiasm about your career reminded me that all the hard work is worth it in the end. Thanks again for all your help."
— Anna, recent alumna, Northwestern University

Honoree Rikki Klieman and Karen Page at The Palmer House

Rikki receiving her award from NU President Henry Bienen

Karen Page with honoree Shinae Chun and her husband

Saturday, April 9, 2005 — Karen and Andrew attend a ceremony and banquet at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago where their friend attorney and legal analyst Rikki Klieman receives the 2005 Northwestern University Merit Award. Karen is also happy to congratulate her fellow Council of 100 member, honoree Shinae Chun, director of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, DC.

Wednesday, April 6, 2005 — Advisory Board members Karen and Andrew attend a send-off preview party for Jody Oberfelder (at 115 Wooster) before her dance company leaves on its European tour.

Ruth Reichl &
Karen Page

Monday, April 4, 2005 — After dinner with Gael Greene and Steven Richter, Karen and Andrew attend the book launch party for the latest book by Ruth Reichl (entitled Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Restaurant Critic) at Cafe Boulud. They enjoyed having the opportunity to catch up with several friends and colleagues including Ed Brown, Mitchell Burgess and Robin Green, Dante Camara, Andrew Carmellini, Cesare Casella, Rebecca Charles, Deborah DiClemente, Rocco DiSpirito, Peter Elliott, (the newly-engaged) Georgette Farkas, Kerry Heffernan, Andre and Rita Jammet, Farmer Lee Jones, Sheila Lukins, Mauro Maccioni, Eric Ripert, Marcus Samuelsson, and Karen Waltuck — not to mention Ruth Reichl herself.

April 2005 — Andrew and Karen are interviewed by Barbra Annino about using the principles of flavor compatibility in garnishing for this month's issue of Cooking Smart.

April 2005 — Andrew and Karen serve on the Advisory Panel for the Dallas Wine & Food Festival's Rising Star Chefs Contest, in which up-and-coming chefs face off against one another on both a written exam and in food preparation.
(www.dallaswineandfoodfestival.com)

Thursday, March 17, 2005 — Andrew and Karen are invited to attend the annual St. Patrick's Day party hosted by celebrated photographer Patrick McMullan at SPIRIT in New York City.

Karen Page, Andrew Dornenburg and Patrick O'Connell with
altar boy in the kitchen at The Inn at Little Washington

March 12-15, 2005 — Andrew and Karen visit the Washington, DC area (including a much-anticipated 2nd visit to the extraordinary property The Inn at Little Washington, in Washington, VA).

March 5-10, 2005 — Andrew and Karen visit Venice (followed by an extra night in Paris after their direct flight is canceled).

February 2005 — Karen is interviewed by Camille Chatterjee for More magazine on one of her favorite wintertime indulgences.

Saturday, February 26, 2005 from 8:30 - 9:30 am — Andrew and Karen deliver the keynote address on the subject of flavor development at the 7th Annual FENI (Foodservice Educators Network International) Summit, the international gathering of culinary educators being held in New Orleans.

"The two of you are America's leading authorities on the subject of flavor development." 
—Morgan Holzman, Program Director, FENI  

"It was great meeting the both of you at the FENI confernce in New Orleans last week! I enjoyed your presentation and thought that you made some great points on flavors and tastes."
— Brooke Brantley, Professor of Culinary Arts, Collin County Community College (Texas)

February 11-13, 2005 — Andrew and Karen deliver the weekend workshop "Eat, Drink and Be Married: The Relationship Between Food and Love" at Kripalu in Lenox, Massachusetts. For details or to register, click here.

The catalog described the workshop this way:

"Calling all food lovers! Join the dynamic husband-and-wife team Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page for an exploration of the power of food and love and the relationship between them. Chefs, authors, and lifelong food lovers, they will explore the union of food and love as a force that brings people together: igniting relationships, bonding families, uniting communities, and bringing healing to the world.

In this program, you will:

• Learn the essential lessons, history, and philosophy underlying 10 global cuisines
• Discover the key principles of flavor compatibility and culinary harmony
• Gain awareness of your own unique palate and the power of simple ingredients through thought-provoking exercises and tastings
• Master the art of transforming mealtime into an aesthetically pleasing and meaningful experience for you and others."

The most meaningful / powerful experiences cited by 2005 participants in their reviews include:

"Tasting, sharing and especially learning from Karen and Andrew as they shared what they learned while writing their books."

"Karen and Andrew were smart, sophisticated and incredibly knowledgeable. They shared information, stories, food and love with generosity of spirit and joy....I leave this workshop more informed that I ever would have hoped and inspired to delve deeper into the wonderful world of food. I had a blast!"

"Having the opportunity to be up close and personal with two great people with such intimate knowledge of cuisine around the world and many of the great chefs and restaurants in the U.S."

"[Karen and Andrew were] articulate, very knowledgeable and passionate about their topic."

"Thanks for a great program."

Wednesday, February 2, 2005 — Andrew and Karen are invited to a tsunami fundraiser being hosted by New York Chefs Cooking for Life at the Tribeca Rooftop in New York City. Participating restaurants include Acapella, Alain Ducasse, Asia de Cuba, Bouley, Brasserio Caviar & Banana, Café Boulud, Café Gray, City Hall Restaurant, Capsouto Freres, Chanterelle, Cru, Devi, Dos Caminos, Jewel of India, Nobu, Payard, Roc, Tribeca Grill, Tarmarind and Vong.  All proceeds will be shared by Save the Children and UNICEF.  www.nyccl.com

Monday, January 31, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the opening of the latest Amy's Bread location at 250 Bleecker St. (bet. Sixth and Seventh Avenues) in New York City.

Brendan Milburn, Valerie Vigoda, Karen Page, Andrew
Dornenburg & Addie Tomei

Thursday, January 27, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend a pre-opening "friends and family" dinner at The Modern at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

"Service the Modern Way: Restaurateur Danny Meyer seems poised to do whatever it takes to turn his latest, The Modern at the Museum of Modern Art, into a success. Having already lured brilliant chef Gabriel Kreuther from Atelier, he recently hired top wine director Stephane Colling and gracious service director Thierry Chouquet away from their posts at Alain Ducasse. The other night, at a pre-opening tasting for insiders, the dining room was filled with the likes of longtime Lutece chef-owner Andre Soltner and his wife Simone, savorysojourns.com's Addie (mother of Marisa) Tomei, and ABC news anchor Bill Ritter. Meyer's service staff appears primed to do what it takes to please customers. When the cheese cart appeared at one table, a woman spied a familiar round wooden container and jokingly requested, 'Epoisses, Epoisses, and nothing but Epoisses!' While the uber-rich French cheese is typically served in small tastes, the server worldlessly lifted the entire 8-ounce box with his silver serving utensils and placed the Epoisses upon her plate - to laughs around the table."
— Richard Johnson, "Page Six," THE NEW YORK POST (2/5/05)

Wednesday, January 26, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the book launch party for Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings at The Rainbow Room in New York City.

Saturday, January 8, 2005 — Andrew and Karen attend the 40th birthday party for Kathy Reilly at The '21' Club in New York City.

Andrew Dornenburg, Laura Day & Karen Page;
Karen, Andrew & Adam Robinson

Thursday, January 6, 2005 — Andrew and Karen (with their bestselling author friends Laura Day and Adam Robinson) attend the party hosted by photographer Patrick McMullan for the cookbook The Pump Energy Food at QUO in New York City.

January 2005 — Andrew and Karen are interviewed by Jennifer Newton Reents on the subject of food and wine pairing for the debut issue of Cooking Smart magazine.

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