Vice President Kamala Harris might be an avid and talented cook, but why do all the chopping and slicing yourself when you’ve got a small army of famous chefs, including legendary pizza makers, to do it for you—while also raising money for your presidential campaign?
A trio of renowned pizzaioli were among the culinary superstars scheduled to appear in “Cooking for Kamala,” a livestream fundraiser supporting the Democratic nominee for president. It took place Thursday night on Zoom and featured dozens of James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred restaurateurs and celebrity chefs.
Representing the pizza category were Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix and Los Angeles; Nancy Silverton, co-founder of Pizzeria Mozza and Triple Beam Pizza in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California; and Marc Vetri, who founded and later sold the Pizzeria Vetri chain and returned to the pizza business last year with Pizzeria Salvy in Philadelphia.
Chef Padma Lakshmi and actor/comedian Joel McHale served as hosts. Chefs scheduled to appear included José Andrês, founder of World Central Kitchen, and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio, along with Ruth Reichl, Jonathan Waxman, Gail Simmons, Marcus Samuelsson, Carla Hall, Cat Cora, Susan Feniger, Suzanne Goin, Stuart O’Keefe, Kristen Kish, Nyesha Arrington, Elizabeth Falkner, Josiah Citrin, Alice Waters, Nancy Oakes, Michael Cimarusti, Brooke Williamson, Tanya Holland, Art Smith, Mary Sue Milliken, Zac Young, April Bloomfield, Bricia Lopez, Martin Yan, Caleb Zigas, Jason Rose, Leticia Landa, Tiffany Faison, Herb Wilson, Neil Fraser, Meherwan Irani, Nik Sharma, Tiffany Derry, Sunny Anderson, Chef Lovely, Steve and Dina Samson, Ben Ford, Michael and Kiwini Reed, Molly Baz, Niki Nakayama, Carole Iida Nakayama, Akasha Richmond, Curtis Aikens, Jody Adams, Sherry Yard and Genet Agonafer.
Viewers registered online to watch the event for free on Zoom, although donations to Harris’ campaign were repeatedly encouraged. Many of the featured chefs made their own versions of a favorite Harris dish—roast chicken—while others offered cooking tips and shared recipes for everything from appetizers to cocktails.
Lakshmi, for example, asked Bianco for his No. 1 tip for pizza making. “One of the most important things is to give [your dough] time,” Bianco said. “Don’t rush it. Whatever normal dough you already make, if you did nothing else but give it more time, give it like an overnight bulk fermentation with a fold before you tuck it in, and maybe ball it up a few hours before you’re gonna bake it instead of just making the dough, balling it and then waiting…I think that will…be an improvement.”
Many of the chefs praised Harris for her culinary skills, opining that a president who can cook is a plus for the entire country. Chef Andrês said he once had the opportunity to cook with the vice president. “She’s a terrific cook,” he said. “She cooked a paella for me…and she was very in charge. I might be the king of paella, but she was in charge.”
U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, organized the event, which was a follow-up to his Comics for Kamala fundraiser, held on August 5.
