Despite having lift problems at their Heights at Park Lane, Tracy and Kent Rathbun were the perfect hosts for the March of Dimes‘ 8th Annual Signature Chefs Auction sponsor party Wednesday. As reported, the elevator to the Rathbuns’ place went on the fritz. Among the folks who were lined up in the building’s lobby trying to figure out how to get up to the Rathbuns’ 19th floor apartment was Abraham Salum, who will be one of the 17 chefs at the November 12th event.
When the freight elevator was finally pressed into action, someone was heard to say, “It’s gonna be a helluva party!” After all, Moët Hennessy USA was providing the cocktails.
Once on the Rathbuns’ floor, guests were led in the back way, through a narrow hallway to the kitchen and past the servers. And who else was in the kitchen — Kent the man himself. Having been involved with various charities for more than a decade, Kent admitted that the Signature Chefs Auction is the easiest to get behind “because it has to do with children.” The chef went on to say that he has two beautiful children of his own, and couldn’t imagine what he would do if the doctor said there was a problem with one of them.
Regarding life in the highest of a high-rise, Kent, who had had refreshments sent down to those stuck in the lobby, admitted, “It’s part of the problem of living in a high-rise. Only one elevator serves our apartment (plus the service elevator).” Think of it like a car breaking down in the HOV lane. Rarely happens, but when it does. . .
Another aspect of living among the clouds that Kent addressed was the view down. He admitted that he still looks over the edge of the balcony sometimes and imagines what it would be like to fall to the ground. But he’s extra careful, because he routinely works out on the terrace and tries to stay away from the ledge and railing.
When the majority of the guests had made it up via service elevator or stairs, co-chair Dean McSherry said a special award should have been given to those who worked hardest to get to the party — those who walked up the entire 19 floors (like Diane Brierley and Rhonda Sargent Chambers among others).
Rhonda and her pal Holly Davis had still two more parties to hit that night — Marin Hopper‘s Hayward party at the Mansion on Turtle Creek and Sambuca’s 20th anniversary party on McKinney. Before heading out Rhonda compared notes with fellow-modeling-alum Stacie Martin, whose husband Christopher has created art for the auction.
If you haven’t made your reservations for the cook-a-thon at the Fairmont, don’t hesitate. This one is very popular among the hungry, young spending set.
Photos by Glenn Hunter