Project Chicken Soup: Warming the Soul + Honoring Founder Mollie Pier

By Rachael Narins Fri., Nov. 16 2012 at 8:57 AM

Gabe Lane

Suzanne Tracht, Alex Reznik, Mollie Pier, Evan Kleiman, Susan Feniger, Kajsa Alger, Eric Greenspan

In 1989, Mollie Pier founded Project Chicken Soup with the intention of delivering wholesome, kosher meals to people living with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses. Last weekend, Pier was honored for her decades-long dedication to that cause at a heart-warming awards brunch at Temple Beth Am near Beverly Hills. Many of L.A.'s most prominent chefs with connections to the Jewish community lent their talents to the cause.

The brunch, which was attended by more than 200 people and raised more than $20,000, helped crystallize the idea that food builds community and nourishes us in ways more than the obvious.

The morning began with a batampte buffet provided by Akasha Richmond (Akasha), Evan Kleiman, Alex Reznik, Suzanne Tracht (Jar), Susan Feniger (Susan Feniger's Street) and Eric Greenspan (The Foundry on Melrose). The chefs prepared the meal with products donated by Surfas, Westside Produce, Baron Herzog Wines and with volunteer assistants in the fully kosher kitchen.

Gabe Lane

Alex Reznik with Pickled Herring

Kosher food can, at times, be dismissed for its limitations, but these chefs all knew how to make it work. Alex Reznik's pickled herring was tangy and sour, with just a hint of sweetness. Susan Feniger and Kajsa Alger made the deviled eggs that are available on the menu at Street; Akasha Richmond's kale Caesar salad brought the garlic that no Jewish food event should be without.

As guests settled in to nosh, Pier was feted for her incredible dedication to a cause that she founded after losing her own son, Nathaniel, more than 25 years ago. Since that time, she has worked four hours, twice each month, visiting clients prior to meal deliveries and leading a team in the PCS kitchen, located in the Surfas building in Culver City. The money raised goes to making and delivering meals to 125 clients two Sundays a month, with 10 meals per delivery.

At the conclusion of the day, The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles performed a few songs -- including a Jerry Herman's "Hello Dolly," with the lyrics changed to "Hello, Mollie." There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Nor any hungry people.

Project Chicken Soup is always seeking volunteers and donations.

Gabe Lane

Deviled Eggs by Susan Feniger

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Tags:

Akasha Richmond, Alex Reznik, Eric Greenspan, Evan Kleiman, Mollie Pier, Project Chicken Soup, Rachael Narins, Susan Feniger, Suzanne Tract

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JennieVasquez topcommenter

This is such a great organization. Many years ago, in the mid 90's my college professor, Dr. Joe Beaton had some of us students volunteer for this organization. I only did it a few times as I lived in Yucaipa at the time and the drive was a bit far for me. I was a small town Catholic girl very unfamiliar with the organization, the community it helped, and the Los Angeles area itself. This experience changed my life. The volunteers, were so welcoming and friendly. The clients, were just as amazing. I met some incredible people who were so kind and loving and even those that were gravely ill welcomed me into their homes and treated me like an old friend. I have to say this was one of greatest experiences of my life and it forever changed my view on many things in a positive and good way and it made me a better person in every way possible.