A Minute to Remember...

In my hustle and bustle starting Wines class this week I failed to take a moment to post on a subject that has not gotten much attention in light of the bigger event.

Sept 11th saw America defaced and shook to its core just 6 years ago, but one of the greatest losses of that day to the culinary world doesn't seem to get mentioned very often.

When the North Tower collapsed that day it took with it one of the best and most respected restaurants in the world;

Windows on the World.

This is a photo of one of only two surviving Windows employees on that day. Her name is Beatriz Susana Genoves and she was a greeter for the restaurant who was stationed on the 78th floor to welcome guests and direct them to a second elevator that would take them to the 106th floor, where the restaurant was located.

This is a brief account of her experience:

"I had been working since 7 o'clock. Everything was fine. Then I felt a big explosion. Smoke filled the air. I saw a woman come out of the smoke. She said, "Oh my God, I'm burned, I'm burned."

A man told me, "Here are the stairs, take the stairs. " and I went down. It was so hot in there. So many people were trying to get down, it was really slow. Somebody said, "Stay against the wall. Just one line down, so the firemen can go up."

I had my walkie-talkie in my hand. I hear a man, upstairs on the 106th floor say, "Please help us." I heard his voice, but there was nothing I could do."

Lost in this horrific event were 73 restaurant staff members and 16 waiters.

My heart goes to the families and loved ones of those lost and hope that in the time that has passed their grief has eased.

Windows on the World Restaurant 1976-Sept 11 2006

Photo by Dan Heller