“America’s new culinary rock star” wows everyone during Knox appearance for ChildHelp last week

From left, chefs Sean Brock, David Pinckney and Josh Smith

From left, chefs Sean Brock, David Pinckney and Josh Smith

Talk about luck! After months of planning Les Trois Chefs, the wine and food event benefiting Childhelp Tennessee, the folks at Childhelp got the good news that the restaurant owned by the event’s featured guest chef, Sean Brock, was named “best new restaurant in America” in the September issue of Bon Appetit magazine! That would be the much-buzzed-about eatery called Husk, located in historic downtown Charleston.

Alvin Hall serving rustic champagne cocktails with Buffalo Trace bourbon

Alvin Hall serving rustic champagne cocktails with Buffalo Trace bourbon

The restaurant’s specialty is farm-to-table menus which means that if the food isn’t local, it is not served. Brock, a James Beard Award winner, even has banned olive oil from the kitchen because it is not from the region! He also owns Charleston’s McCrady’s restaurant.

The other two of the “trois” chefs were Cherokee Country Club‘s David Pinckney and Josh Smith of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Turkey Creek.

Les Trois Chefs was held last Friday at Cherokee Country Club. Because it started at 6:30, guests got a chance to enjoy the stunning view of the curve in the Tennessee River, which to me is the best thing about the tony venue. A silent auction featured wonderful parties, outings and wines and the live auction offered trips to Palmetto Bluff, SC, Mexico  and Napa, as well as a wild game dinner for 20 (no thanks!) and a delightful Mike C. Berry painting of an East Tennessee evening.

Five signature cocktails were invented by Robert Stevens of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. My favorite was the rustic champagne cocktail made with Buffalo Trace bourbon (and I normally don’t like bourbon), but many of my male chums preferred the Sazerac, a New Orleans-style concoction made with rye whiskey.

But the wine and food pairings were the stars, as you will see.

The view from the terrace during cocktails

The view from the terrace during cocktails

Band members, from left, Justin Haynes, Nolan Nevels and Taylor Coker, delivered beautiful tunes as guests arrived.

Band members, from left, Justin Haynes, Nolan Nevels and Taylor Coker, delivered beautiful tunes as guests arrived.

Robin and David Purvis chat with Allan Benton, right, of Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams, during the silent auction.

Robin and David Purvis chat with Allan Benton, right, of Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams, during the silent auction.

Tina Rolen and Bill Pittman during cocktails and the silent auction in the River Room

Tina Rolen and Bill Pittman during cocktails and the silent auction in the River Room

Judy Starliper, right, with her daughter-in-law, Wendy Starliper

Judi Starliper, right, with her daughter-in-law, Wendy Starliper

Kristin Seabrook, left, with Randy and Diane Miller

Kristin Seabrook, left, with Randy and Diane Miller

Here's a view of the festive activities at the bar in the River Room!

Here's a view of the festive activities at the bar in the River Room!

Alan Carmichael, left, with Denae D'Arcy of WATE and Tony Cappiello

Alan Carmichael, left, with Denae D'Arcy of WATE and Tony Cappiello

Auctioneer Bear Stephenson and state Senate candidate Becky Duncan Massey

Auctioneer Bear Stephenson and state Senate candidate Becky Duncan Massey

Foster Arnett, left, and Morton Massey

Foster Arnett, left, and Morton Massey

Mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero, left, with Russ Watkins and Alyson Ferine

Mayoral candidate Madeline Rogero, left, with Russ Watkins and Alyson Ferine

Three Jays enjoy the evening: Adrian, Larsen and one on the way!

Three Jays enjoy the evening: Adrian, Larsen and one on the way!

Meanwhile, it was a lot more peaceful in the sparkling ballroom, set for dinner.

Meanwhile, it was a lot more peaceful in the sparkling ballroom, set for dinner.

The centerpieces were low and lovely.

The centerpieces were low and lovely.

Chef Brock, introduced as "America's new culinary rock star," described the upcoming meal.

Chef Brock, introduced as "America's new culinary rock star," described the upcoming meal.

The salad course was Benton's country ham with Bibb lettuce, grilled bread, a poached farm egg and red-eye vinaigrette. It was complemented by Sparkman Cellars Lumiere Chardonnay. (I actually liked it - and I'm no chardonnay fan!)

The salad course was Benton's country ham with Bibb lettuce, grilled bread, a poached farm egg and red-eye vinaigrette. It was complemented by Sparkman Cellars Lumiere chardonnay. (I actually liked it - and I'm no chardonnay fan!)

Between courses, Sharon Donnell of Pilot Flying J, left, popped over to our table to visit with Richard and Dawn Ford.

Between courses, Sharon Donnell of Pilot Flying J, left, popped over to our table to visit with Richard and Dawn Ford.

Jim and Phyllis Nichols were at our table, too. (Moxley Carmichael was a silver sponsor of the event.)

Jim and Phyllis Nichols were at our table, too. (Moxley Carmichael was a silver sponsor of the event.)

Also at our table were Scott Bird and Judith Foltz

Also at our table were Scott Bird of Moxley Carmichael and the city's special events director, Judith Foltz.

North Carolina catfist with cornbread puree and wild ramp chowchow came next. Served with Sparkman Cellars Wilderness Red, a blend of five wines.

North Carolina catfist with cornbread puree and wild ramp chowchow came next. Served with Sparkman Cellars Wilderness Red, a blend of five wines.

Annette and Scott Brun

Annette and Scott Brun

Susan and Bill Packard

Susan and Bill Packard

Alan Hitchcock and Jennie Campbell

Alan Hitchcock and Jennie Campbell

Rose Moseby, left, and Jackie Newman took a break in the ladies' lounge to catch up.

Rose Moseby, left, and Jackie Newman took a break in the ladies' lounge to catch up.

When I got back to my table, things had gotten a little frisky! The table-hopping Lindsay Duncan was visiting with Richard Ford.

When I got back to my table, things had gotten a little frisky! The table-hopping Lindsay Duncan was visiting with Richard Ford.

And tablemates Scott Bird and Phyllis Nichols were getting friendly!

And tablemates Scott Bird and Phyllis Nichols were getting friendly!

And then -- oops! -- with all the excitement I forgot to take a picture of the steak course! It was slow cooked beef with celeriac, smoked onions and wild mushrooms. Doesn't it sound yummy? Served with MadoraM Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon.

And then -- oops! -- with all the excitement I forgot to take a picture of the steak course! It was slow cooked beef with celeriac, smoked onions and wild mushrooms. Doesn't it sound yummy? Served with MadoraM Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon.

Here are Hugh and Angelia Nystrom. He's executive director of ChildHelp Tennessee.

Here are Hugh and Angelia Nystrom. He's director of program operations for ChildHelp Tennessee.

Lindsay Duncan, back at her own table, with Lynne Fugate, right.

Lindsay Duncan, back at her own table, with Lynne Fugate, right.

Hugh stopped by our table to say hello to Michael Foltz.

Hugh stopped by our table to say hello to Michael Foltz.

Olive and Sinclair chocolate with malt and caramel was dessert. ("Get that grass off my chocolate!" exclaimed one of my tablemates! Ha!)

Olive and Sinclair chocolate with malt and caramel was dessert. ("Get that grass off my chocolate!" exclaimed one of my tablemates! Ha!) Paired with Rocca Family Vineyards syrah.

Alan says goodbye to our old friend Ross Dempster.

Alan says goodbye to our old friend Ross Dempster.

Wow. That was fun!

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9 Responses to “America’s new culinary rock star” wows everyone during Knox appearance for ChildHelp last week

  1. Shaun Fulco, on October 14th, 2011 at 3:19 pm said:

    I guess it’s true what they say– when the cat is away the mouse will play! My work husband was pretty busy with the ladies… Ha! Looks like a great time was had by all.

  2. Tami Hartmann, on October 14th, 2011 at 4:08 pm said:

    I don’t know who hugged more ladies that night, Scott or Alan! Lucky ladies.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on October 16th, 2011 at 10:09 am said:

    Yes, they both had a good time! But, I have to say, everybody seemed to. Fun event.

  4. Gay Lyons, on October 18th, 2011 at 12:10 pm said:

    I really, really hated to miss this. But if I waited for a weekend when nothing fun was happening to leave town, I’d never get to leave.

  5. Marsha Grieve, on October 18th, 2011 at 2:37 pm said:

    Makes my mouth water just to read this article!

  6. Judi Starliper, on October 19th, 2011 at 10:46 am said:

    Thanks for putting this picture on The Blue Streak. I had a great time! It’s always good to see you at all of these events.

  7. Cynthia Moxley, on October 20th, 2011 at 1:57 am said:

    Gay, you are so right! Every time I go out of town, I think about what I’m missing! I remember when that was not an issue. Isn’t it great to live in such a fun and lively place? Marsha: me, too! Thanks, Judi! Love seeing you out and about, too!

  8. Denae, on October 20th, 2011 at 6:53 am said:

    I was incredibly impressed by the food and wine. An event to be at – for sure! Thanks for the lovely photo.

  9. Cynthia Moxley, on October 20th, 2011 at 8:19 am said:

    Great dress, Denae!

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