Katie Couric hosted the packed Power Lunch for Women benefiting Citymeals-on-Wheels at the Plaza Hotel on Friday — and one very special man was made an honorary woman for the day.
Michel Roux, the French bon vivant who brought us Absolut Vodka, was honored in front of a crowd that included Brooke Shields, Debra Messing, Bobby Brown, Cynthia Nixon and Kathleen Turner.
Gloria Steinem handed Roux a pair of 6-inch patent high heels, and he said, “Thanks for the shoes. I’ll wear them tonight. I am so proud to be an honorary woman.”
Citymeals executive director Beth Shapiro told us, “Michel was the first man to attend the Power Lunch, 27 years ago, and he was a generous donor and our first sponsor.”
Helping to raise more than $1.3 million for Citymeals, which works to ensure no homebound elderly New Yorker goes a day without food, were Samantha Boardman, Patricia Duff, Cécilia Attias, Norah O’Donnell, Lizzie Tisch, Felicia Taylor and Patricia Wexler. Betsy Bernardaud and Donald G. Tober were honored.