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We’re in Interior Designer Darryl Carter’s kitchen anticipating that our tastebuds will be tickled with cooking demonstrations first by Luigi Diotaiuti of Al Tiramisu and later by John Martin Taylor, a.k.a. Hoppin’ John. This fundraiser by the Women’s Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) also includes a tour of Carter’s exceptional Embassy Row home.
Charles Grazioli and Sherine Monir, Darryl Carter Inc. associates, divide guests into groups, then share snippets of Carter’s design style as they lead visitors through the spectacular home, which is a sophisticated mix of refined and rugged décor.
“Darryl salvaged this chandelier from a flea market, cleaned up the brass and added the little black lampshades,” Monir says of a light fixture in the designer’s solarium.
As at most swell bashes, the guests end up congregating in the kitchen, where Diotaiuti delights with samples of mozzarella ripiena (stuffed mozzarella) and gnocchi di ricotta (ricotta dumplings). But it’s his tiramisu that makes most mouths happiest.
“This is the best tiramisu I’ve ever had,” says Nancy Pittman, vice president of development of the Women’s Committee for the NSO.
Southern culinary expert Hoppin’ John, the author of four cookbooks, including The Fearless Frying Cookbook (Workman, 1997), gives a demo on how to make cornbread and grits.
“I laugh at people who look down their nose at grits, but then tell me about some fancy Italian restaurant where they had polenta,” Hoppin’ John says. “Polenta – I can’t call it that even though I lived in Genoa. I call it corn meal mush.”
As Hoppin’ John talks stone-ground nitty gritty, we catch up with Carter, who divulges that he moved the kitchen into the space that was formerly the dining room when this building was the Chancery of Oman. Carter also reveals that he never uses his formal dining room. “If I’m going to have dinner with my friends, I’d rather be interactive with my friends in the kitchen,” he says. This explains the stacks of exquisite art books on the dining room table. Treats to delight the eye after our tastebuds are left singing.
