For Bernard Madoff, who federal prosecutors say ran a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, there’s little hope these days of getting out for a leisurely dinner at Daniel, at Davidburke & Donatella, or at any of the tony restaurants near his manse on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

But Madoff’s wife, Ruth, should have no trouble preparing for her husband a range of gourmet dishes such as Dover sole poached in vermouth, buckwheat risotto with wild leeks and goat cheese, and double lemon mille-feuille; they are among the many recipes in a 1996 cookbook that she co-edited.

In “Great Chefs of America Cook Kosher: Over 175 Recipes From America’s Greatest Restaurants,” Madoff and one of her co-editors, Idee Schoenheimer (Karen MacNeil also edited the book), reached out to several world-renowned chefs — including Daniel Boulud, David Burke, and Emeril Lagasse — and asked them to provide kosher renditions of their favorite dishes. Proceeds from the 185-page, photo-filled cookbook benefited Jewish National Fund.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

The cookbook features a picture of an apron-clad Madoff, standing alongside Schoenheimer. Madoff’s bio touts her master’s degree in nutrition and refers to her as “Director of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities,” her husband’s now-collapsed company that may have cost investors as much as $50 billion.

The now-notorious Wall Street trader may want to relish fancy fare while he can; if convicted of securities fraud, he could spend the next 20 years eating prison food and commissary snacks.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount