My friend, Jack Reibel, is a talented chef at The Lexington. He has competed against Bobby Flay in the kitchen. He is recognized for his award-winning chicken pot pie at the Lexington and his amazing long rib that he pioneered at Butcher and the Boar. Most of all, my friend Jack is a kid from St. Paul who grew up near Lexington Avenue and is currently losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. The first time I recall spending quality time talking with Jack was at a TCF Food and Wine event. It was there that I watched him dazzle the crowds with his chef skills. He was funny, self-deprecating, and he had the group eating out of the palm of his hand during a demo. After the show, as I was walking to my car and everyone was cleaning up for the day, I happened to see him push-starting his car. He was behind the wheel while his chef de cuisine that day was pushing the car from behind. With a few putt-putts, they were able to get the car started, and off they went. I always love that picture of what we see as the talented celebrity chef’s life contrasted with the reality of what a hard business is to succeed.

I invited Jack and his wife over to my house for a dinner party right before being diagnosed with cancer. I have no idea why I decided to serve pea soup, but in retrospect it was a funny thing to serve to a fancy, accomplished chef. It turns out he loves pea soup, and it was the perfect thing to break bread with friends. Jack may be remembered by many as a chef. To me, he will be remembered as a scrappy kid from St. Paul who was my friend.

Instant Pot Pea Soup

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Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 package peas
• 2 cups ham, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 7 ​cups chicken broth

Instructions

1. In an Instant Pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil for 4 minutes.
2. Add the rest of the vegetables and saute 2 minutes more.
3. Add peas, ham, and chicken broth and seal the Instant Pot. Set to manual high for 18 minutes and let naturally release for 5 minutes.