Together they have orchestrated & produced four successful local fundraisers for the
Friends of Children organization bringing in the talent of Martin Yan, Rachel Ray, Bob Blumer, Bon Appetit's Dede Wilson & Metro Bis' chef/owner, Chris Prosperi. The Friends of Children's Iron Cook event for 2006 enjoyed the talents of Bobby Flay.
In April, 2004, together with Chef Seth Crawford, Leslie's son and a CIA graduate, they opened their restaurant,
Holy Smokes BBQ & Whole Hog House in a quaint deconsecreated 1889 church in western Massachusetts. Unfortunately, in the middle of the night on June 21, 2007, the building burned down.