I meant to call you this week but I didn’t. The signs were there yet I kept getting distracted and that call never happened. I kept finding memories of you this week while I was reorganizing my house; photos, a Harrods teddy bear you gave Luke from your travels to London, a Christmas ornanment of a rocking horse for Lucy, it was 2014 the year of the horse and included a note that said, “I can’t wait to watch you grow up. Love, Uncle Rod.” I can’t believe you’re gone, but your memory will live on forever.

My memory...
It was 2009 and I was having dinner with a group of friends Kim Lichtenstein Lieb Marissa Rudman Monica Canellis at Sunda. We had a table next to the sushi bar and before long we were greeted by chef Rodelio Aglibot, smiling ear to ear, delivering a plate of sushi that he wanted us to try. He turned to me and said, “My friend is here and she’s a TV Producer who gets a kick out of watching me deliver free food to pretty girls.” I then told him “I’m a producer.” Rod said “She used to live in NY. I said, “I’m just moved from NY.” He said, “She worked at Tyra. I said, “I worked at Tyra, who is she? It was Becky Cohen Fortunee who was my Supervising Producer He brought me to her, and now that we knew one person in common our friendship was born.
You were more than a friend, you were family. Despite coming from different backgrounds there were so many commonalities that brought us together; both having lost siblings, living apart from our tight knit families, but always finding comfort in food. I introduced you to Jewish cuisines and even made the trip to NJ with you and my parents so you could try the largest deli sandwich and matza balls at Harold’s Deli. You made me some of your favorite Filipino dishes and I was always willing and able to be your taste tester. You brought me along on your eating adventures ordering OOE One Of Each which later became the storyline for your TV show Food Buddha.
Food and family weren’t the only ties that bind us...it was love. I loved hearing about your love life but also quite critical of it. You had so much love to give and no one was good enough to reciprocate it. And I thought you would be just as tough with me, but you weren’t when I brought Judd to Sunda for the first time to meet you, you welcomed him with open arms. When we got engaged, I asked you to be my Bridesman. You made the trip to NY with me and my 8 bridesmaids to my East Coast shower and bachelorette party. It was a weekend to remember. Being a Bridesman then became your staple and even landed you a story in Glamour Magazine thanks to because Rachel Gillman Rischall.
After giving birth to Lucy, you were one of my first visitors and truly a baby whisperer. Knowing I went 9 months without sushi you hosted a dinner party and made the most delicious omakase dinner at your home...you are still the only person I’d ever know to have a real sushi bar in their house!
So many memories we shared and such a huge loss for all of us. #foodbuddhaforever