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One Night, One Heart 2007

7. Simple Gifts
Special Guests: Sue & Dick Bender
Hosts: Lorry & Jack Luikart
Dinner at the Luikarts' Home by: Chef Elizabeth Falkner - San Francisco

Special Guest Sue Bender was granted a privilege rarely bestowed on outsiders - that of experiencing Amish life first-hand. Initially drawn to Amish culture through their beautiful quilts, she soon became immersed in their seemingly timeless world - a landscape of immense inner quiet. Having assimilated their values of simplicity, commitment, and the contentment that comes from accepting who you are, Sue wrote Plain and Simple: A Woman's Journey to the Amish. Not wanting to lose the impact of this experience in her daily life, she went on to write Everyday Sacred: A Woman's Journey Home. How to make the simple moments of every day count - given all the distractions of modern life - will be the theme of this evening's dinner. Sue's husband, Dick, who has illustrated both books, will be present to help provide another intimate perspective on Sue's re-entry. Chef Elizabeth Falkner, the executive creator/chef of Citizen Cake and Citizen Cupcake, will provide the sweet and savory accompaniments to this celebration of our daily accomplishments. Elizabeth received the Pastry Chef of the Year award in 2006 from Bon Appetit magazine, has competed on Iron Chef and Food Network Challenges, has been a judge on Top Chef, has a new cookbook out called Demolition Desserts, and will be opening the newest hot spot in town, Orson, by the end of the year.