Misstropolis

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Great Chefs, Even Greater Friends

by Robin Hauck

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There’s nothing they hate more than the head tilt.

They’re young. They’re courageous. They’re funny. They’re more likely to get together for a three hour run than a pity party. 

Nanci Gelb and Kelly Sohn lost their husbands to cancer within a week of each other. They are single mothers now, and they know they don’t have it easy. But there’s nothing worse, they say, than the sorrowful look and maddening tilt of the head people give them when they meet. “It doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom,” Kelly says. “Part of our healing process is being able to laugh!”

When Nanci and Kelly met, their own heads were tilting forward toward an exciting yet distant finish line. They were training for the Boston Marathon with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge fundraising team. Both of their husbands had been treated at Dana-Farber, and both wanted to give something back. “It’s therapy,” Kelly explains. They talk, they cry, they laugh, they understand the importance of moving forward. Their hearts work to keep up with their feet.

Kelly has a daughter who is fourteen; and Nanci has four children, eleven to fourteen. Nanci says she had no choice but to be strong for her kids. “As a mom you have to show them that no matter how hurt you are, there is a purpose. You teach them to do good by doing good yourself.”

The marathon also brought them together with Terri Tsagaris. Terri lost her father to cancer eleven years ago. Like Nanci and Kelly, she was determined to turn her grief into action, and a triumphant trio was born. Terri jokes that the three know absolutely everything about each other. “There is nothing that doesn’t come out in a long run,” she says. “We rely on each other, we get everything out.” In nine weeks, they will run the marathon a second time for Dana-Farber. Though they are required to raise three thousand dollars to be a part of the team, they all expect to raise much more.

Going above and beyond what’s expected is also how Terri, Kelly and Nanci approach chairing the Great Chefs Cooking for a Cure event, which will take place at 125 High Street on March 8. For the second year in a row, the three have headed the committee of about twenty volunteers to run the gourmet event to benefit the Friends of Dana-Farber. Last year’s event was such a huge success that this year they had chefs asking to participate. “The chefs are amazing,” Nanci says. “They give so much – their time, all the food. But they have a great time!”

This year’s event boasts some fun firsts. Billy Costa of NECN’s TV Diner and KISS 108 will host the event, and MC a live auction, neither have been part of the event in the past. “It’s a great big cocktail party,” they all agree. Even Miss America called to say she wanted to come; though - sigh - she’s not able to make it.

Over forty exceptional restaurants, caterers and vineyards will be there, and Anthony Caturano, owner of Copia and Prezza (and subject of this week’s Table article) is Honorary Chef. Other restaurants participating include Gargoyles on the Square, Met Bar, Union Bar and Grill, Sweet Basil, Mare, Icarus and Harvest. Check out the whole list, and buy tickets while you’re at it.

So if you’re going to tilt your head when you meet Nanci, Kelly or Terri, tilt it forward to say hello to their children who will be helping out at the event; to choose another delicious bite; or, really make their night, and tilt it back in a laugh.