
Ming Tsai and Ken Oringer grab a laugh before Boston Bites Back. Boston Herald Staff Photo by Matt Stone
Last night, Boston chefs Ming Tsai and Ken Oringer organized what I consider one of, as we say, the most wickedest awesomest nights at Fenway Park to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
More than 100 chefs took over the concessions area at the iconic home of the Red Sox , dishing out their specialties — everything from melt-in-your-mouth pasta dishes to cupcakes , cheese and funky soft serve — to 5,000 supporters at Boston Bites Back, a fundraiser for the One Fund Boston. The beer taps constantly flowed as they do during Sox games, but I heard there were also some veddy special cocktails being shaken up on the concourse especially for the 21+ event.
Upstairs, in the EMC Club, victims of the Boston Marathon bombings such as Adrianne Haslet-Davis, a ballroom dancer, had a big smile on her face as she shook hands and chatted up chefs.

(from left) Chefs Jody Adams and Jeremy Sewell, pose with Adrianne Haslet-Davis and her hubby, Adam. Boston Herald Photo by Abby Peterson
Later, one VIP — “Footloose” star and Stoughton dancing pro — Kenny Wormald told a friend that speaking to the upbeat Adrianne was one of the most inspirational moments of his life. No doubt.
Also in the EMC Club where the $1,000-per-ticket crowd hung out, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis was a reluctant rock star as admirers lined up to shake his hand or snap a photo. Downstairs on the concourse first responders, many in uniform, were getting the same celebrity treatment. It was a sight to behold.
Now, during my 30-year career at the Boston Herald, I attended countless, memorable Opening Days and extra-innings playoff games at Fenway. I chased celebrities up the ramp for their take on the “Idiots'” World Series run in ’04 and again in ’07. Crashed a lot of luxury boxes, too.
And then there were dozens of random charity events, including one called “Monster Chef ” when my team won the cooking throwdown in the EMC Club. Yes, I still have my trophy.
But last night, everyone was in high spirits for the best of reasons — even me, Mrs. Misanthrope, who volunteered to check in guests to the VIP party. I slapped on my biggest smile when a certain soccer player needed a kick in the pants for his rudeness. Or when Mr. Big asked me what he could do with his umbrella. (This is Fenway, not the Four Seasons!)
And then there was the young, floppy-haired dude who greeted me with, “I’m here and I’m on the list” as if I should know him on sight. I opted out of the requisite blank stare — because of the charitable spirit of the night — and asked, “And you are???”
It was kind of a thrill, actually, but I didn’t Bite Back. I asked in a much kinder way than that Vanity Fair flunkie who said the same to Gayle and me years ago at a post-White House Correspondents’ Dinner bash. (After we told him that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler had given us his tickets, he huffed, ‘Just LEAVE.’ So we did. In Steven’s limo.)
Over the past few weeks, many Boston celebs donated to the online auction. Ben Affleck, who is the host of “Saturday Night Live” this week, sent me a box of signed “Argo,” “The Town” and “Good Will Hunting” memorabilia.
Wellesley homey John Slattery of “Mad Men” fame had AMC send a signed script while US Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman threw in a one-hour, private gymnastics lesson since she is in LA prepping for next week’s “Dancing with the Stars” finals.
And props to “Person of Interest” cop Kevin Chapman who lugged a big bag of DVDs, a cast-signed poster and a signed canvas directors chair (sans frame) to the Boston Bites Back bash. That cache should be up on the on-line auction soon.
The benefit sell-athon, run by Charity Buzz, ends on May 30. Bid early, bid often. It will make you smile!
Awesome event, Laura!
Thanks for the awesome photo, Abby!
Well done all around