By guest blogger and New York writer Seanan Forbes:

Jennifer Petrusky of Charlie Trotter's is cooking for the gala. She's making it like the restaurant's current menu: "a celebration of spring".

It may be springtime in Chicago, but it's film noir time in New York City. With cool rain outside, there's need for a reminder that it's springtime -- and Petrusky and her crew are providing just that.

Asked how it feels to be here representing Chicago, she says, "It's a great honor to be here representing Chicago and also representing women -- from all over the world."

To judge by the smiles on her crew's faces -- and the scents coming from the work station -- she's representing better than well.