My friend Mark Durkop called me to judge a fashion competition. He said "I've invited my friend Jack who was on Project Runway." I'd not watched the current season of project runway, so I immediately did an internet search and go the skinny. I found Jack's hilarious youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evCOdcJl2PEand looked forward to meeting him.

Jack arrived in time for us to appear as guests on FM107's Lori and Julia show. Unfortunately as I pulled in to the parking lot of KSTP my car died, leaving me having to arranging towing and repairs minutes before going on air. Fortunately always there Robert, who had chauffeured Jack from the airport could stay until the segment was over and transport Jack to his hotel, and me to our home.

As I ran around trying to clean up and prepare for company (Jack, Mark and his friend, ShopNBC host Brian Kessler) Robert went to get food and drinks. Jack arrived, with laundry, and always ready to help Robert washed, dried and folded. Robert also prepared and served the food and the rest of us settled in to getting to know each other a little better. No want of conversation this group. 4 extroverts and Robert, who can certainly hold his own, but is most likely man out of the conversation when it's ruled by 4 "front of the camera" personalities.

After about an hour we drove to CRAVE restaurant in the Galleria in Edina, where coincidentally Jack was born. Not in the Galleria, but in Edina. We met Keyvan Talebi, my business partner, and owner of CRAVE, Bella Notte, View, ReVamp! salonspa, and a few other companies I don't know much about. His girlfriend, the ever fashionable and always charming Laura Schara joined us as we completely devoured sushi, flat bread pizzas, home made pastas, Sea Bass and Chicken. I'd go into preparation details, but that is where I have no talent. "A what reduction sauce?" Oh. Tastes good. Next.

Photo: Brian Kessler, Mark Durkop, Jack Mackenroth, Christopher Hopkins (right click to view entire image)

Photo: Mark, Jack, Christopher, Robert, Keyvan Talebi and Laura Schara (right click to view entire image)

I'm not a foodie. I like food, but discussing it is about as interesting to me, as the conversation on fashion and trend and body types was to Keyvan. I do try to throw in a business sentence or two to keep him from dozing. That or something about breasts.

All in all a lovely evening, good schmoozing, great friends and a wonderful warm up to the following night competition held at Epic Event Center in Minneapolis. But that is, another Blog.