"I would like to introduce you to the driving force behind the City Kitchen," the mayor said, still in his excited speaking voice, "a role model for us all, Sadie Millstead." I smiled at her as she headed to the podium and once again shook the mayor's hand. The mayor spent a few seconds patting my shoulder and smiling with me as he exited the stage. At least my fame had bought Sadie a strong defender.

Sadie was a competent speaker. Not the vibrant, play to the crowd type like the mayor, but she was confident. She spoke about how she and Richard started the kitchen. At the time it...