Tribute Video for Jennifer Perillo: Mikey’s Peanut Butter Pie
If you haven’t already heard the news, then hopefully this video will share it all. On Monday, our dear friend Jennifer Perillo’s husband died of a sudden heart attack. Jennie is a special force in the food community and is loved by many.
We had a gathering in our garden with friends Brooke, Jen, Gaby, Penny and Rene when we heard of the news. It was a shock to us all and were left speechless for a long moment of silence. Fortunately we were together to comfort one another in the pain.
Jennie asked that in honor of those we love, to make a Creamy Peanut Butter Pie and share it. This pie was also a favorite of her husband, Mikey. You can read it on her blog.
In full force, with fierce love and commitment, the online food community banded together as one family to celebrate Mikey and everyone dear to us. Under the twitter hashtag #APieforMikey , a beautiful explosion of peanut butter pies came pouring out of all our hearts to be shared with our loved ones.
We were devastated at the news of Mikey’s passing. To heal and share in our grief with Jennifer’s family and the whole online food blogging community, we made a pie in honor of Mikey.
To also celebrate our friend Jennifer, her strength, courage and love, we’re giving her a gift in the best way that we know how: by video.
Thank you to all of you, the food community and those who poured in to share your thoughts to share on this video. It was impossible to add all the thoughts that came pouring in, but know that we appreciate all of you who sent them in.
We asked close friends of Jennie to contribute thoughts and we also searched the hashtag #APieForMikey and found some wonderful sentiments to Jennifer. Those were added to the video. Special thank you to Kim Severson for sending us this amazing image for inspiration in the video.
Jennie, this is for you, our friend and sister, from all of us in the food community. You are loved. Deeply.
And most importantly, this pie and everything it symbolizes is for Mikey.
holding you all close,
diane and todd
I been reading all over the internet about Jennifer heart wrenching story… and I have been able to keep my composure up until now.. your video is beautiful, such a tribute to her and her girls, that like everyone said has been engulfed in the virtual arms (and hearts) of this amazing blogging community, which I have never been more proud to be a part of.
i, like nearly every other blogger in the universe, have cried buckets and buckets of tears this week . . . and cried more tears when we watched the video together. but the tears when watching the video weren’t necessarily because of the beautiful tribute – there were those tears too – but what really takes my breath away, what really shakes me to the core whenever i come to this spiritual place you call a blog, is just that . . . a spiritual place for me . . . a restorative place . . . a place of challenge . . . a place of stretching who i am personally/spiritually . . . but the downright wailing and weeping is because in this piece, as well as your other work, i see your souls . . . deep into your souls – the parts others keep hidden . . . and i know who you two really, really are . . . that is a gift . . . that is rare . . . that is respected and appreciated . . . that is why the two of you are so loved . . . because you let us in. i don’t know if we’ll ever reach a place in our professional careers of creating the kind of work you do, but we continue to work towards that goal . . . thank you for the video . . . thank you for lighting the path and leading the way . . . much love, d
What an incredibly beautiful, moving tribute to a wonderful family. I hate that we’re all having to band together over something like this, but BOY am I glad we all have each other. Lots of love to Jennie and the girls.
Thank you for such a beautiful tribute to Mikey. I love being a part of our glorious, generous, caring and delicious food blogging community.
I started crying with the first notes. This is one of the most touching and beautiful videos and tributes I’ve ever seen. Jen, I do not know you but I am profoundly sorry for your loss and though I missed this delicious day, I will now be making a peanut butter pie this week in your husband’s honor.
Belonging to this community is the best thing that happened to me. When you need support there is always something that will be there for me no matter what. You are true friends of Jennifer and that video is so powerful. Sending my condolences to Jennifer and her girls.
eloquent & extraordinary way to honor your friend & pay tribute to her husband, mikey.
jennifer is blessed with such an incredible “force” as the food blogging community… my heartfelt condolences to jennifer & her girls.
What a beautiful tribute. I am new to these websites, but so wanted to be at home to make a peanut butter pie. I was not, but am moved by the responses I have seen. What a wonderful community.
This is utterly brilliant. The kindness and generosity of this community is staggering. Thank you for this beautiful video.
I am so glad we are a part of such amazing community. Thanks for this heartfelt tribute. Loads of hugs to Jennie and the kids. RIP Mikey.
Such a heartfelt and emotional tribute. Thank you for so eloquently sharing what so many of us feel for Jennie and Mikey.
Awesome tribute!
Beautiful, heartwarming, touching, and more. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beautiful tribute. Beautiful.
Your love comes through loud and clear in this piece—loved watching your tribute.
I didn’t know Jennifer or Mike but this was a very beautiful tribute. I love to see how everyone came together over this. I too am glad to be part of the huge foodie family.