Amy Reiley is one of the foremost-educated women in food and wine. In August 2004, she became the second American to earn the title Master of Gastronomy awarded by France's culinary temple, Le Cordon Bleu. Since then, she has made appearances with Fine Living television, Food Network's Dave Does, San Francisco's View from the Bay and radio shows from KCRW's Good Food to Maxim's Sex Files as a leading authority on food and romance. However, Talking about food isn't enough for Amy, she volunteers for an organization that picks up surplus food and delivers it to homeless people. What could be more "just" than helping people enjoy food and romance, all while trying to feed the homeless? A Just Cause, indeed!

1. You have chosen a career dedicated to food. How does that relate to your core "values" in how you approach life and what you want to share with others?


Food, health and happiness are so intertwined. My decision to go into the niche of aphrodisiacs was my way of trying to get people excited about food - by getting them excited. Food is the basis of life and, lets be honest, the thing that satisfies us the most. Aphrodisiacs make it even more fun, exciting, and interesting. Sharing my knowledge and passion for the industry and aphrodisiacs with others is extremely satisfying.
 


2. When you look at the impact your career has had on people around you, what makes you the most proud?


I'm also a wine journalist - I started writing professionally on wine in my early 20's. Wine isn't the most welcoming field to women, especially young women. These days, I get calls and emails from young women in the business telling me I was a role model when they were trying to make a decision as to whether to fight their way into the business or find a job in a "gentler" segment of the food biz. That is always a gratifying feeling and gives me a sense of pride.



3. Was there a "defining moment" when you knew that this was what you wanted to focus your professional energy on?


I don't think I've had that yet. I'll let you know!!!!!



4. In your personal life, what is the "cause" to which you dedicate the most time / energy / money?


I work with an organization called Rock and Wrap It Up - we make contracts with major musical artists, sporting team, schools and colleges to pick up surplus catering food from events and deliver it to homeless shelters. 
 


5. Why? Has it touched your life somehow?


Because I believe that eating well is extremely important, I wanted to work with an organization that helped people eat well no matter what walk of life. I met the founder of Rock and Wrap it Up, Syd Mandelbaum, on September 10, 2001. He came out to the West Coast (from NYC) to meet with me, and he was forced to stay for several days. During that time I got to learn not only about the organization, but the amazing man who is its driving force. I started out simply wanting to give back and wound up working to help grow the grassroots effort of one extraordinary man and an amazing organization. It is a necessary effort. No one should be deprived of food and Rock and Wrap it Up operates under that notion.

6. What do you do - personally or professionally - to support that cause? 


Occasionally I'll do a pickup at a concert, but for the most part, I organize a group of volunteers to make sure that the food is picked up from all the events in the LA area and brought to the necessary shelters in time for our homeless population to be fed. 



7. What do you wish people understood about your cause?


Something called the Good Samaritan Act, which allows 3rd parties to donate leftover food that would otherwise get thrown away, without liability. In other words, you don't have to volunteer for Rock and Wrap it Up to donate food you see going to waste. You can simply take charge, pack up the food and give it to the shelter of your choice. It is simple, necessary, and helps provide the necessary nourishment for homeless women, children, families..etc. It is such an easy thing to do and does not take that much effort. I wish more people would do it. 
 


8. If you had a magic wand, what would you do?

Transport myself wherever I need to go. No fuel, no road rage, no weather delays, just instantly get there without the hassle. I divide my time between LA  and Las Vegas, so you know how difficult it can be getting from A to B.
 


9. What organizations support your cause that we should all know about?


Please check out www.rockandwrapitup.org
 


10. Can you think of an example of a really innovative approach to solving this problem - either one that someone else did or that you would like to see someone do?

Rock and Wrap it Up has done an amazing job of getting their hands on food that would have otherwise been wasted and thrown out. They really have it down. I wish other organizations or governments would use it as a template to help increase the outreach and effects. So many less people would go hungry.