Tree and Vine shop reports phenomenal success; Knox Symphony supporters enjoy its products

Host Charleene Edwards pours a glass of champagne for KSO Board member Tom Shaw as Pat Jobe, another event host, looks on.

How’s this for a creative fundraising theme? Middle Eastern food served in an art gallery. Gourmet olive oil and vinegar tastings. And a Knoxville Symphony Orchestra quartet! They called it “sense-sational” because it appealed to all the senses. Cute.

It was another in the Knoxville Symphony League‘s “Elegant Dining” series of events. You should get in on this. There are only four remaining events that are not sold out. (Click here for a listing.)

This particular gathering was held in the historic Emporium Building on the 100 block of Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. The Symphony’s offices are located in that building, but it also contains a lot of gallery space. The oil and vinegar tasting, hosted by The Tree and Vine shop, was held in the upper floor gallery and dinner and the music were downstairs in the big common area. It was a very relaxed Friday evening.

Terri Karlsson, owner of The Tree and Vine, center, mingles with guests at the party.

Interestingly, Terri Karlsson, who owns The Tree and Vine with her husband, Paul, reported that the little shop that opened on Union Avenue in downtown Knoxville just last year is experiencing fabulous success. In fact, she said, the Knoxville location is much busier than the original Tree and Vine located in Asheville. If you have not been, I highly recommend you pay them a visit. It’s a charming store — and is set up specifically so visitors can taste a very wide sampling of olive oils and vinegars. And the gourmet cookware available makes it a perfect stop if you are looking for a gift. The vinegars and olive oils come in a variety of sizes – and customers can package them in groups of two, four or six. I like to take them as hostess gifts.

So, here’s a quick look at the Elegant Dining event featuring the innovative little shop. Don’t forget to sign up soon if you want to go to any of the remaining Elegant Dining events this year.

(Click here if you’d like to see a Blue Streak post about The Tree and Vine when it opened in July.)

Rick Stone and Angela Howard enjoying a little bubbly with their tastings.

Pat Fitch of The Tree and Vine setting up some olive oil and vinegar tastings.

Pat Jobe serves champagne. (Goes with everything!)

The Tree and Vine's owner, Terri Karlsson, answers questions.

Listening, eating and drinking.

The Tree and Vine brought olive oil and vinegars for every palate -- along with little bread cubes for tasting.

The art on display featured animals. This one by Tina Brunetti is called "Ze-lion!"

One of the hosts, Elizabeth Offringa, left, greets a guest.

Rachel Ford, executive director of the Knoxville Symphony, with board member Tom Shaw.

Hosts Nancy D'Andrea, left, and Elizabeth Koester.

Tom and Evelyn Shaw

Downstairs, a Mediterranean buffet awaited.

My favorite was the hummus.

The baklava wasn't bad, either!

From left, Ruth Bacon, Rachel Loeske, Ihsan Kartal and Jennifer Bloch provided beautiful classical music.

Carol and Joe Pelliccia

Rachel Ford and Mary Sue Greiner, right, also with the Symphony staff.

Donna and Terry Wertz

So glad the hosts provided a variety of wines rather than just the usual Woodbridge chardonnay.

Doesn't Rick Stone look exactly like singer/songwriter Jackson Browne?