When Chris and Jessica came to Lily’s Luau earlier this year, they bid on several silent auction Items, including a homemade Italian dinner cooked by yours truly.

Preparations began at Fraboni’s, where you can find an excellent selection of San Marzano tomatoes, fine olive oils, pasta, and fresh antipasti. When I ordered cannoli for dessert, owner Steve stepped forward with his piping bag to prepare the sweet treats. When I mentioned that my recipe called for Pecorino Romano cheese, Steve reached into the refrigerator case, handed me a wedge of Locatelli cheese, saying, “This, is not just a brand of cheese. This is the standard by which all other pecorino Romano is measured.”

I like a man who’s passionate about his food!

Later this afternoon, I made my way to Waunakee, where Chris and Jessica were kind (crazy) enough to let me have the run of their kitchen. This, after I conveyed my wife’s observation that the quality of my meals are inversely proportionate to the condition of the kitchen after I’m done. Undaunted by the warning, they invited two other couples — Brooke, Donnie, Tessa and Jason — to join them for bucatini and bacon.

I brought all of the ingredients, along with a few of my personal kitchen traditions. When it came time to crush the San Marzano tomatoes by hand, there were two strapping young men in the house who didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. When it was time to see if the pasta was done, Brooke and Tessa helped me prove once again that bucatini is the only pasta you can use to blow your own ear.

I love cooking for family and friends, but this was the first time my culinary services were auctioned off for charity. I must confess that I was a bit nervous, but Jessica and Chris were gracious, friendly, fun hosts. And it was a real blast hanging out with Brooke, Donnie, Tessa and Jason. They tolerated my picture taking throughout the evening, which was filled with limoncello and laughter.

Equally important, they seemed to enjoy the meal, and they supported a great cause in the process.

È stato divertente. Facciamolo ancora qualche tempo!