It was a power lunch powwow at the Pierre with ladies donning their hats to honor food critic and Citymeals-on-Wheels founder Gael Greene, and to benefit the nonprofit association that provides nutritious meals to New York City’s homebound elderly. Greene says she founded Citymeals when she reflected, “How can I live my life in delicious ecstasy when my neighbors go hungry?” The mostly ladies-only, star-studded lunch included Denise Rich with daughter Ilona, Paula Zahn, Barbara Tober, and toasts and roasts by Liz Smith, Cindy Adams, Gloria Steinem, Sylvia Woods, and Kathleen Turner. Lizzie Grubman and dad Allen also turned up—Lizzie smartly dressed in a brown suit (a new image for her upcoming trial?), though definitely not seated at former PR partner Peggy Siegal’s table! Grubman seemed especially friendly as many approached her supportively.

Liz Smith, in a native Texan cowboy hat, launched her roast with, “I never thought Gael would get her mind off men and good food long enough to get what she got accomplished … but she’s the best food writer ever!” Gloria Steinem added: “Gael writes about sex as if it were food and food as if it were sex.” Steinem also tied in recent events: “If we could bottle everything that Gael stands for—food, compassion, unity, and equality for women—the Taliban wouldn’t stand a chance.” Andrea Marcovicci wound up the fab lunch by crooning “Hats Off to Gael.”