TASTE OF THE NATION

The VIP Lounge

                                      

Charlotte, North Carolina has some of the most amazing restaurants and chefs in the world.

Taste of the Nation 2013 was an event to remember. The food items served were tantalizing, downright erotic to the taste buds, and I feel honored to have had the experience.

One of the many bars

Wonderful cocktails, world class wines and liquors and aperitifs to satisfy every appetite completed the evening.

Enjoying Upstream's scallops

There were awards for hot and cold entrees, desserts and appetizers. 

Cantina's award-winning
 pork shank

Cantina 1511 here in Dilworth was among the award winners with its small pork shank entrée. 

My favorite appetizer was served by the Culinary Arts Department at Central Piedmont College: Duck Pâté on a pistachio cracker, oh my.

The Silent Auction

There was also a fabulous silent and live auction with lots of bidders going at it.

Representing the Westin

The entertainment was jamming and kept everyone in motion.

e2's GM greets the crowds

It always amazes me to watch how good food and drinks bring folks together in a very special way. 

Helping to raise money to fight childhood hunger

The Taste of the Nation is a benefit to raise money to end childhood hunger in North Carolina.  Part of the proceeds goes to culinary schools that train the unemployed.

Early in the evening

Don’t have the final figure as yet but the beautiful Wells Fargo Atrium was overflowing with donors and participants from all walks of life passionate to help and passionate about food. For more information on Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign visit its website, nokidhungry.org.

Duke Energy lights up orange to combat childhood hunger

“ANSWER”

 Jim and Becky Brinson                             

“ANSWER” stands for Andersen Nontraditional Scholarship for Women's Education and Retraining.

Sunday evening at the home of Sy and Liz Johnson we attended a party honoring Jim and Becky Brinson’s marriage last month in India. They traveled to India to be married in the most traditional Hindu way and to honeymoon there.

Little did we know when we attended the party we would learn about an organization called ANSWER providing scholarships for Moms who want to go back to college and get a better education. Since ANSWER is Jim and Becky’s favorite charity instead of the regular party they asked participants in the program to speak.

Party people making a stand for education

Send the Mother to college and the children will follow. What a great concept.

The women that spoke about their experience with ANSWER had received scholarship money and were getting their degrees. One lady was in law school and another was studying education while another was getting her business degree. 

Susan Andersen, founder of ANSWER

Susan Andersen started the organization as a way of giving back after her hardships in obtaining her education. She had no idea how to do what she has done and how successful she has become at this. Everything starts with an idea and everything is possible.

Great party thanks to Liz and Sy opening up their home and hearts to a wonderful cause.

For more information, visit the ANSWER website. 

Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Cline

Vows under the Hoopa

What a beautiful weekend we had in Birmingham, Ala. celebrating the wedding of Lara Printz and Scott Cline.

Bride and Mother of the Bride

Father of the Bride and friends

 

From Thursday through Sunday it was a festival for all who attended. Nothing was spared to show the guests who came from all over the planet – an experience to remember.

The Wedding Cake

The wedding ceremony was held at the Museum of Art in Birmingham complete with reception in the gardens and banquet hall.

Reception entertainment all the way
 from Vail, Colorado

Lara and Scott left for Hawaii soon after and will be sharing their life together on the Big Island, staying for four months, before they return to Charlotte, NC.

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Cline

Thank you Lara and Scott for wonderful memories of your families and friends.

More pictures of Wedding Guests:

Beautiful people at
the rehearsal dinner

Jackie and Mollie all the
way from Charlotte, NC

Barbara Randle and Yours Truly at the rehearsal dinner