Celebrity Chef event brings big-name personality to Yuma

  Chef Denise Vivaldo remembers the only time cooking for a celebrity made her nervous.

  It was Vivaldo's first big-name gig. The setting was a super-fancy yacht and the hostess of the celebration was actress Sharon Gless.

  "At first I thought, 'Oh my gosh, how am I going to do this?" the chef recalled, laughing. "But of course you eventually realize that when we feed people they are all the same. I don't care if you have $3 million or $3. How we relate to food is all the same. People are just looking for something good to eat."

  But it didn't take long before cooking for famous names was nothing to Vivaldo. That's why cooking up some yummies for Yuma should be no big deal Feb. 28 when Vivaldo heads this way for a fundraising event called Celebrity Chef.

  Since that first encounter with a famous face the Los Angeles-based chef has gone on to cook for lustrous list of appetites: George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Prince Charles, Suzanne Somers, Merv Griffin, Cher, Aaron Spelling, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

  Celebrity Chef, an evening of cooking demonstrations and gourmet dining, is a fundraiser for Soroptimist International of Yuma. Proceeds will benefit Amberly's Place.

  The event is slated for Feb. 28 at the new Pivot Point Conference Center. Tickets at $75 each can be purchased at Sergio's House of Carpet, 1245 S. 4th Ave., or by calling Barbara at 783-0969 or Roe at 246-4068.

  These days Vivaldo ends up being a celebrity chef in two ways. She not only cooks for famous folks, but she's also become quite a celebrity herself. She has appeared on "The View," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Tonight Show" and "Inside Dish" with Rachel Ray.

  For more information about the chef, go to www.DeniseVivaldo.com.

   Yuma's ability to book this super-busy chef is thanks to Vivaldo's close friendship with Karla Bildt, a personal chef in Yuma.

  "We realized we were twins separated at birth!" Vivaldo said during a phone interview with The Sun. "I have been so blessed to meet Karla."

  The two chefs are planning to take a culinary-related trip to Thailand later this year.

  Bildt recalled meeting Vivaldo a cooking event and seeing her in action.

  "I was amazed at her enthusiasm towards everyone in the audience. The stories she told about her kitchen experiences kept everyone glued to her every word. Many behind-the-scenes events are almost to funny to believe. She will keep you in stitches."

  She added that Yumans looking for a great night of entertainment that supports a great cause won't find a better chance than Celebrity Chef.

  "I hope many Yumans take the opportunity to join the Soroptimists on Feb. 28th to not only enjoy great food, support the need to help women and girls in need, but to meet Denise and watch her demonstrate some of the entrees we will be enjoying that evening," Bildt said. "I promise you it will be a night you won't forget."

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Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.