Before sitting at the head of a 34-person table during a gala tribute in his honor, internationally recognized French chef Jacques Pépin offered succinct words of wisdom to those looking to compensate for a lack of culinary skills. “More wine,â€? he laughed. “I often tell people, ‘Do you have any friend who knows how to cook? If so, take over a bottle of wine. Have a glass or two or three. It won’t matter what they’re cooking or even if you like it. And if you cook for them? Same thing.’â€? More than 300 guests — a sell-out nearly two weeks in advance — arrived at the Duquesne Club on Nov. 19 for the French Garden to Table soiree hosted by the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Before savoring multiple courses that included smoked trout terrine, potato leek soup, and braised rabbit leg on a menu hand-illustrated by Pépin, the room buzzed with sheer adoration for the man who spent decades captivating audiences with Emmy Award-winning cooking programs on public television. “He taught me how to cook,â€? said Marla Zerrer, with her husband, John. “It’s huge to be this close to him. If I had a bucket list, this would be on it.â€? Perfect timing for an event held a few days ahead of Thanksgiving, also Pépin’s favorite holiday. “There is no date of whoever died to remember, no religious affiliation, no gift to give,â€? he said. “All you do is eat and drink.â€? VIPs included hosts Kurt and Angela Small, board chair Nelson and Carol Craige, Ada and George Davidson, Steve and Gail Mosites, Dan and Barbara Eichenlaub, Toto Fisher, Mark Flaherty and Mary McKinney, Vince and Rita Deluzio, Keith and Marceile Kaiser, Annie and Patrick Slowey, Barrie and Beth Athol, Carol Massaro and Sam Badger, Bill Kolano, and Pépin’s daughter, Claudine. Kate Benz is a Tribune-Review contributing writer. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.