Tom Colicchio, Master of the Universe, Saves a Life

Scene: A party for the Art.Food.Hope inaugural event benefiting DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table. Attendees include: Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Rachel Maddow, and chefs galore.

Alice Waters bursts into the room, asking if anyone knows the Heimlich maneuver, as cookbook author Joan Nathan is choking. And then:

"Tom Colicchio knew the Heimlich maneuver. And the Top Chef judge performed it. So not only can Colicchio run multiple restaurants and anchor a cooking show and win five James Beard awards and cook for the rescue workers after 9/11, but he can save your life...Colicchio was modest. 'I just happened to be nearby,' he shrugged."