Taking a Break From the Coronavirus with Middle Eastern Cuisine

New Yorkers have worked long and hard to bring down the daily count of Covid-19 cases in the state. So when Peconic Bay Zonta invited a short list of friends to an outdoor fundraiser in support of the group’s various scholarships, the response was overwhelmingly positive, with everyone saying how eager they were to do something fun for a good cause.

The by-invitation event, held on September 15, 2020, was a cooking class on Middle Eastern cuisine, featuring professional chef Julien Shapiro (pictured below).

– photo by Diane Greenberg

Just to be sure things went smoothly and safely, the invitation stressed our conditions for attendance: outdoor event, limited seating to maintain social distancing, masks required and hand sanitizers readily available.

Twenty-five participants were all eyes on the cooking demonstrations, then happily sampled the food. It was a perfect late summer day, in the beautiful back yard of Peconic Bay’s President Annika Shapiro. Three members assisted as servers: Betsy Kaplan, Geri Kazenoff and Liala Strotman. The very successful fundraiser netted $1,320 for Peconic Bay Zonta.

J. Shapiro showed the audience how to prepare baba ganoush, hummus and beef kofte. He is the chef, butcher and baker at 8 Hands Farm in Cutchogue, after working as a chef in France and Washington DC. A. Shapiro (pictured below) grilled Middle Eastern peach and chicken skewers.

– photo by Diane Greenberg

Both Shapiros (Julien is Annika’s "bonus" son, as "step" family members are known in Sweden, her native country) removed their masks while they did their demonstrations. The servers wore masks while plating and serving.

To give the event a special Zonta touch, A. Shapiro spoke to the group about “a recipe for ending child marriage,” a cause supported by Peconic Bay Zonta. Over 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year, which often causes them to discontinue their education and not live up to their full potential. In the U.S., 46 states allow marriage before the age of 18.

Days before Peconic Bay’s fundraiser, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo updated New Yorkers on the state's progress. “Our numbers continue to reflect the work of New Yorkers, who ultimately flattened the curve,” Governor Cuomo said.

Covid-19 cases declined in New York dramatically following the peak on April 15, 2020. This is why Governor Cuomo said New Yorkers had “flattened the curve.” On the date of this post, October 3, 2020, cases were rising in 20 counties, with the highest in Orange and Rockland. The governor is calling for more enforcement of state-wide guidelines.

Along with all other regions of the state, Long Island is now in Phase Four of reopening, with social gatherings of up to 50 people allowed. Above all, everyone is asked to wear a mask and maintain six feet distance in public. For more information about state guidelines, go to New York Forward.