THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 8, 1995 TAG: 9506070146
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Morsels
SOURCE: Ruth Fantasia
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
FRANK FARELLO, a retired local chef who distinguished himself with charity work as well as food, died May 25 at age 66. His list of awards and accomplishments was long, but only begins to paint a portrait of the man.
His death brought a sense of loss to the many people in Hampton Roads who knew him.
``He got me into this, what am I going to do now?'' asked Art Elvins, president-elect of the Tidewater Culinary Federation. ``He was my mentor.''
``Every year he lined up all those restaurants for the Gourmet Gala,'' said Bill Abourjilie, Frank's long-time friend. ``I don't know who they are going to get to do that job.''
Frank somehow managed to be everywhere and do everything.
He was a big man with a big voice. He was never shy about asking for money or publicity but he only asked if it was for a good cause. And he had a lot of good causes.
From the St. Jude's Gala to a chef auction that raised money for the Children's Milk Fund, a division of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Frank was there. He got restaurants and food suppliers to hand over money for culinary scholarships, training and contests.
And when he wasn't asking for money, he stood in the kitchen with students cajoling, pushing and praising them into being better.
If you want to talk to Frank Farello, go to Johnson & Wales and talk to a student who is going to become a chef. If you want to see Frank Farello, go to the Navy Historical Museum in Washington, D.C., where his confectionary sculpture of the USS Constitution is on permanent display. If you want to hear Frank Farello, go to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and listen to the laughter of children recovering from life-threatening illnesses.
What are we going to do without Frank?
The answer lies in what I once heard him tell a student competing for a scholarship. Frank had demonstrated how to trim a vegetable, stood back, crossed his arms over his chest and said, ``Now do it just like I showed you.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Frank Farello
by CNB