An afternoon downpour rolled into the Wood River Valley, storming with lightening and thunder. Despite the unusual foul weather, food, friendship and humor prevailed with help from author Sharon Boorstin.
A light-hearted atmosphere emerged, as women shifted chairs and huddled for warmth, to hear Boorstin's presentation "Girlfriends, Who Needs 'um," Wednesday, Sept. 21, as a benefit for the Wood River Jewish Community's Children's Music Education Fund.
Made possible by the Works of Grace Foundation, headed by Theresa Castellano-Wood and Benjamin Wood, Boorstin captivated the crowd with stories centered on friendship and food.
Invitations extended to women throughout the valley, attracted girlfriends groups and book clubs, who nipped on nosh, while being enchanted by Boorstin's cuisine-centered talk.
"Everybody has food memories," Boorstin said.
As a food critic and author, Boorstin brings an in-depth understanding of female social relationships that develop from culinary experience.
Based on the profound female friendships and intertwined with food, the California-based author recently completed her second novel "Cookin' for Love."
The book traces the friendship of two middle-aged women who venture to Malaysia to pursue a romantic interest. The book reveals the obvious possibilities for middle-age women to enjoy romance, sex and adventure. The chic lit adventure intertwines sexual discovery, with friendship and food.
Autobiographical and fantasy-filled, Boorstin's explanation of the real life story line provided a humorous base for the Wood River Valley women giggling throughout the presentation.
During the speech and with an interview with the Mountain Express, Boorstin explained that a real life reconnection with a lost friend provided the basis for the book.
After searching the Google search engine, Boorstin found her lost friend. The two rekindled their friendship and later embarked on an escapade similar to the "Cookin' for Love" plot.
The "Cookin' for Love" story rests on the reconnection made possible by today's technology. She attributes the Internet as a new tool that enables individuals to reconnect and maintain intimate correspondence.
Boorstin's believes friendship plays a substantial role in women's lives.
"Women are realizing the importance of friends...it's really about who you have in the end," she said.
The bonds of friendship form over food and connect to the past.
Boorstin spoke to the connection to the past, with a tattered blue notebook stuffed with years of recipes collected from family and friends, resting on the podium.
"Sharing recipes is a way to achieve eternal life," Boorstin said.
Flavors and smells trigger memories of childhood adventures, family gatherings, and holidays. The smells of fried onions or spaghetti evokes grown adults to remember their mother's cooking or an aunt's special dish.
"Food puts you back in touch with your roots," she said.
At the closure, Boorstin asked the audience to share their food memories. With little prompting, a sea of hands raised to relate humorous and poignant food memories.
Sharon Boorstin Photo by David N. Seelig
