Silver Anniversary of A Meal to Remember

An elegant and epicurean evening

Photos by BenRosePhotography.com

The gourmet-themed gala, A Meal to Remember, celebrated its 25th year by celebrating all its past chairs and famous guest chefs.

Scenes from A Meal to Remember 2012. Co-Chairs (top left) Harrison Rohr, Cindy Voyles, Jack Sawyer.

VIPs

Co-Chairs Harrison Rohr, Cindy Voyles and Jack Sawyer; Participating chefs Gerry Klaskala (Aria), Pano Karatassos Jr. (Kyma and upcoming Pano’s),Chef Joe Trevino (Paces 88),Chef Jerome Grilhot, and pastry chef Ami Dand (A Legendary Event);Meals on Wheels Association of Georgia President Jeffrey Smythe; Emcees Monica Pearson and Vikki Locke

The Venue

The Astor Ballroom of the St. Regis Atlanta

Party Highlights

Over 300 black-tie guests enjoyed a champagne reception, a multi-course gourmet dinner prepared by top guest chefs with wine pairings by Michael Venezia of United Distributors, luxury live and silent auctions featuring prizes such as a trip to St. Barths and luxury Seamaster watch worn in the James Bond flick Skyfall from Omega, and dancing to the music of a Class Act Band. Tony Conway and his A Legendary Event company decked out the ballroom in elegant silver for the gala’s silver anniversary and masses and masses of stunning pink peonies flown in from Columbia.

Alan and Aida Flamm, Jane Dean

The Scene-Makers

Among the black-tie crowd of revelers were several past chairs: Jeanne Berry, Aida Flamm, Sandra Baldwin, Jane Dean, Dudley Stevens, Marilyn Krone, Tony Conway, Charlene Crusoe-Ingram, Eileen Rosencrants, Sally Dorsey, Marlene Alexander, Kathryn Arnett, Jada Loveless, Debbie Dean, Judy Zaban, Cindy Fowler, Su Longman. Other guests included:Darrell Mays and Tara Werther, Marie and Brad Foster, Marc and Lauren Skalla, Bill and Cindy Voyles, Sharon Umphenour, Bill Torres, Kristy and Michael Robison, Louise Sams, Elizabeth and Chris Willett, Joanne and Charles Ackerman, Barbara and Eric Joiner, Victoria and Howard Palefsky, Carolyn and Rhett Tanner.

The Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: The St. Regis Atlanta. Connoisseur Sponsors: Darrell Mays and Tara Werther, Wilmington Trust.Epicurean Sponsors: A Legendary Event and Cox Enterprises.Chef Sponsors: Sandra and Dan Baldwin, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Frabel Studios, Hodges-Mace Benefits Group, Neiman Marcus, Monica and John Pearson, United Distributors, Cindy and Bill Voyles

The Cause

Proceeds from the evening supported Meals on Wheels Atlanta, a program of Senior Citizen Services, providing meals, shelter, education and community to seniors in the metropolitan area. Since the first A Meal to Remember gala in 1988, the benefit has raised nearly $5 million for the charity. For more info visit: www.scsatl.org

The Menu

Two tartars “en surprise”: Siberian Osetra caviar, sorrel coulis, caviar sabayhon by Chef Pano Karatassos Jr.

Attems, Pinot Grigio, Venezia Giulia, 2011

Chilled roasted beets soup, truffle ice cream, baby chervil by Chef Jerome Grilhot.

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Horse Heaven Vineyard, 2011

Duck breast “tenderloin”, umami spiked kabocha squash mousse, sweet and sour fennel/ginger/apple and duck sauce by Chef Joseph Trevino

Erath Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2010

Slow braised Painted Hills short rib of beef, EVOO whipped potatoes, roasted rutabaga, turnip, carrot and parsnip by Chef Gerry Klaskala

Twomey, Merlot, Napa Valley, 2008

Fleur d’argente dark chocolate mousse, Grand Marnier caramel, raspberry pate de fruit, blood orange coulis and Valencia orange chocolate-chip ice cream by Chef Ami Dand

SEE ALL THE PARTY PHOTOS IN SLIDESHOW BELOW.