The barn at Blackberry Farm
At a special gathering, Sam Beall, the proprietor of world-famous Blackberry Farm, a culinary treasure located just 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville, told the assembled music fans last weekend that this was Blackberry’s way of connecting with and giving back to its community.
For the first time, the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra was invited to perform in Blackberry’s beautifully appointed barn in front of 100 guests who had gathered to hear them and to dine on perfectly matched dinner courses and fine wines. The cost per head: $350, with proceeds going to the KSO. Trust me on this: it was a bargain!
Everything about the evening was stunning. The breathtaking setting, of course. The five sumptuous courses with wine pairings. And even the mild weather which made Jan. 28th feel like spring. Thanks so much to Sam Beall and Blackberry Farm and to KSO board member Rick Johnson, who brought the idea to Blackberry.
Here’s a peek at the evening. But, really, pictures can’t do justice to the experience. Here’s hoping there is a repeat opportunity in 2013. If there is, sign up. It’s not every day you can indulge yourself at Blackberry and feel you are doing a good deed in the process.
Because this was an evening involving wine, 11 of us pitched in to rent a limo for the trip to Blackberry and back to Knoxville. This was a decision we all were glad we made.
The limo made two stops: one downtown and one in Sequoyah Hills. Our friends Susan Brown and Craig Shelton came to our condo to await the limo's first pick-up.
Here we go! Driver Mike Haley holds door to the Navigator 'super stretch" for Alan Carmichael. That's Susan popping her head out of the car.
In the limo, we cracked open the Veuve Clicquot, Christy Lee's favorite champagne, to celebrate Alan's birthday, which was the week before. From right: Ellen Robinson, Christy and Jeff Lee, Jim Martin and Milton McNally.
Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson in the car.
In no time at all, we saw our destination out the limo window.
If anyone can make a mason jar look elegant, it is the folks at Blackberry Farm. That’s what our signature drink was served in as we arrived: delicate little mason jars. It was called “a garden variety cocktail” and contained green tea vodka, sage infused simple syrup, lemon juice, sage and a little tonic water.
"Garden variety cocktails"
Melinda Meador, left, and Ellen sample the special drinks.
A room beside the dining room was perfect for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.
Members of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra provided beautiful music before dinner.
Alyssa Voll served one of the passed appetizers: pork belly biscuits.
Here is a close-up of that delicious morsel.
Ben Gordon passed caramelized onion and Benton bacon tarts.
Russ Watkins and his mother, Carolyn Smith. Russ is on the KSO's board.
Carolyn Smith, center, with her daughter and son-in-law, Christi and Scott Branscom. The Branscoms deserved a little luxury after the January they spent in the rain and snow during the "Extreme Makeover" build they led.
These pretty roses were everywhere: in bunches like this in the cocktail area as well as on the dining tables. They were such a simple but beautiful touch.
Mary Johnson, left, and Betsey Bush. Betsey is on the KSO board.
While we were settling in, the folks in the kitchen were meticulously assembling the first course.
The dining room was picture perfect.
The tables set in the sunroom were pretty, too. There's that rose.
Our table
Meanwhile, guests still were arriving.
Jim and Natalie Haslam
Jim Martin, left, greets Dr. Frank and Anna Gray.
The Grays
From left: Craig Shelton, Mary Ellen and Dr. Steve Brewington, Susan Brown and Rachel Ford, executive director of the KSO.
Willene Chalmers and her 15-year-old grandson, Christoph Ewing
James Fellenbaum is resident conductor of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He conducted the Chamber Orchestra on this occasion. He is pictured here with his wife, Sarah.
Sam Beall of Blackberry Farm, left, chats with Jon Lawler, chairman of KSO's board.
First course ready to go
And then it was time to sit down.
Jeff and Christy Lee were at our table.
First course was Benton's country ham and pear salad. It was paired with Long Meadow Ranch Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, 2006.
Beall described the wines, provided by D&V Distributing, as “fun wines.” The Long Meadow Ranch, he said, is “the most magical place in Napa Valley” where the approach is sustainable and organic. This one was delicious with the sweet pears and salty ham in the salad.
Bruce and Sharon Bosse. Great dress.
Blackberry's take on chicken and dumplings: potato gnocchi, forest mushrooms and confit chicken. Paired with Neyers Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast, 2002.
This was the best course of the evening — and I normally don’t like dark meat chicken or chardonnay! The chicken and broth were so rich and intense and the gnocchi were so light, it was almost unbelievable. And the chardonnay was the perfect complement. (It almost didn’t taste like chardonnay!)
Terry and Rachel Ford
Second best course: roasted South Carolina shrimp with Anson Mills grits, andouille, preserved tomatoes and shellfish emulsion. The wine: Siduri Van Der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir from Sonoma Mountain, 2002.
Bell said this pinot noir was so special because, at 10 years old, it is older than you can get in retail stores.
Tracy and Susan Thompson
Grilled Painted Hills tenderloin with sweet potato puree, braised garden kale and butter poached turnips. Wine: Paul Hobbs Cocodrillo Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendoza, 2001.
Jon and Toni Lawler
Waiting for dessert. Mary Ellen and Steve Brewington, at left, and Susan Brown and Craig Shelton
Dessert was called "Symphony of Chocolates." Cute.
For some reason, my dinner partner, Milton McNally, decided at this point to order a glass of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon. It was 23 years old and cost $75 per shot.
You are looking at $75 here, folks!
Randy and Robin Gibson
Christi Branscom chatting with Susan Brown
Frank Gray, left, and Jim Haslam passing some time
And then came the music.
It was the perfect end to the evening.
The Haslam and Gray table during the concert. Both Natalie Haslam and Frank Gray are past presidents of the KSO board.
Bravo!
At about this time of the evening, we all were very glad for that limo! As if we needed any more food, these lovely meringue cookies were offered at the exit door.
A parting treat
On the ride back to Knoxville, we still had some bottles of Veuve Clicquot left, but we had to resort to plastic cups.
You don't often see Jim Martin drinking any kind of wine out of a plastic cup!
Yes, perhaps we did turn the radio up a little too loud!
But it sure was fun, as this picture of the birthday boy will attest.
I continue to be overexposed, and additionally I now know that seat dancing is highly unattractive in photographs.
Alan, I could not agree with you more. Cyn, you are spot on — what a meal! The BEST chicken and dumplings I’ve ever had and the Pinot Noir was yummy and I don’t normally like it.
Hey, Alan. I just can’t feel sorry for you!!!
Thank you, Cynthia, for leaving me out of the seat dancing pictures, but it was really, really fun! What a great evening — and what a great way to raise money for the symphony.
Looks like such a lovely evening. So sad it coincided with The Evergreen Ball, another fabulous event benefitting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Friends of the Smokies. We were sorry to miss it — and missed you at the Evergreen Ball!
Alan: Quit whining! You looked great while seat dancing! Ellen: Glad you liked the pinot noir; it is my favorite red. Melinda: So glad you could join us. Tami: I hate that the two conflicted, too. Hopefully that can be avoided in the future.
That music-theme dessert was gorgeous to look at. I assume it was delicious.
Georgiana: It was! Deep, deep chocolate in several forms. Yum!
One word: Yum!!!
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