My Evening with the South's Finest

This past Tuesday was a big night. Not only was I fed by some of the South's finest, but I also enjoyed the company and conversation of several local chefs, restaurant owners, food writers, and food lovers.

Yep, it was my kind of night.

My friend Charmaine, my date for the evening, was the one that originally tipped me off about the benefit dinner. Her friend Thomas Williams was the mastermind behind it all, and I do mean mastermind! Kudos to Thomas for pulling together an amazing event that raised almost $60,000 for Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the Community Resource Center, two organizations on the front lines of Nashville Flood Relief.

The evening began with a cocktail hour of champagne, watermelon punch, and delicious passed hors 'd oeuvres by Nick Seabergh of Giardina's (at the Aluvian Hotel), in Greenwood, MS:

Benton's Bacon Rillettes
with Celery, Pickled Peppers, Homemade Soda Crackers

Smoked Pimento Cheese

on Sweet Corn Callas, Crispy Sage
(YUM! I could have eaten like 10 of these!)

Salt and Pepper Charred Shrimp

Tomato Jam, Mint, Crushed Peanuts

Then we moved into the main dining room for dinner- 6 courses, all with wine pairings:

First Course

Pate of Tennessee Foie Gras

"Salad" of Local Watermelon, Ginger, Chicken Liver

by Kelly English of Restaurant Iris in Memphis, TN

Second Course

Gulf Shrimp and Avocado
Smoked Bacon and Grilled Romaine
by Lee Richardson - Ashley's Restaurant (Capital Hotel)
in Little Rock, AK

Charmaine and I agreed, this was our favorite course of the evening. The grilled romaine was excellent. Who knew cooked lettuce could be so good??

Third Course

Buttermilk Glazed Sunburst Trout
Tomato and Cornbread Panzanella, Saffron Pickled Fennel
by John Fleer- Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley in Cashiers, NC

This was another winner in my book. Beautiful to look at and delightful flavors.

Fourth Course:

Heirloon Chicken Thigh
Creamed Sweet Corn, Lady Pea Salad, Giblet Jus
by Linton Hopkins- Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta, GA

Fifth Course

Grilled, 24 Hour Butter-Braised Chuck Short Rib
Horseradish/Big Bad Bacon Heirloom Grits, Summer Tomato/Fresh Herb Carpaccio, Pickled Red Onion, Asher Blue Vinaigrette
by John Currence - City Grocery in Oxford, MS

Dessert

Cruze Farm's Buttermilk Panna Cotta
Basil Syrup, Bourbon Poached Peaches, Honey-Graham Cracker
by David Guas - "DamGoodSweet" Washington, DC

There are so many details that I would love to share with you, but since my friend Chris Chamberlain over at the Nashville Scene Bites blog did such a bang-up job on his recap, I'll point you over to him to get the in-depth coverage. He was the responsible one that night and actually went home to bed when the dinner ended, leaving him fresh and alert enough to write a thorough account. Some people (hmmm, wonder who?) decided to attend the "after-party" at Watermark, making things a little fuzzier....