Did you know:
- Fine cut glass can get flea bites?
- Silk lasts 800 to 1,000 years?
- Close-mouthed dolls are not worth as much as dolls with their mouths open and teeth showing?
We learned all this and more Saturday night while dining on a gourmet dinner in an exquisite setting, all to benefit the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
The occasion was one of the Knoxville Symphony League‘s “Elegant Dining” events. This one was held at Westwood Antique and Design Market in the Homberg area. Proprietor Scott Bishop opened his sumptuous shop and set up dining tables among his priceless antiques. It was a perfect showcase for the delicacies prepared by Holly Hambright, one of Knoxville’s top caterers — and one whose offerings are expanding all over the place.
Part of the fun of being at Westwood Antiques was browsing the store during the cocktail time. Scott Bishop says 60 percent of the shop’s offerings are his. The rest are by four other merchants who share space with him.
But what I loved the most was the set of china — which actually is from China — featuring a dogwood pattern. I first fell in love with this set of dishes when I saw it at the 2012 Symphony Show House in a room Scott had designed. I almost bought it then, but talked myself out of it. Now it is on sale. (Yikes!)
Seeing this beautiful set of china again made me understand what Scott meant when he said, “In the antique business, we don’t sell things that people need. We sell things they have to have! As in, ‘I have to have it, or I will die!'” Ha.
Alan and I owe a big thanks to Stacy, who made sure that one of the wine offerings on Saturday was pinot grigio, in addition to the ubiquitous Woodbridge chardonnay which makes an appearance at most Symphony League events. I was gratified to note that a lot of other folks also chose the pinot grigio — it was the pour of choice at our table. In fact, it ran out long before the Woodbridge chard did.
Soon, it was time to take our seats.
A really fun part of the evening was when Scott offered on-the-spot appraisals, ala “Antiques Roadshow,” of the items guests had been invited to bring.
Here are some other things the personable Mr. Bishop shared with us:
- Clean your silver. He uses a product called “Never Dull” available at Ace Hardware. He says not to use the dips that are on the market. “Tarnished silver is like rusted metal,” he said. “It is your silver literally vanishing into thin air.”
- Use your sterling silver. “The more it’s used, the more beautiful it gets,” he said. “If your sterling is at the bank or on the top shelf or under the bed, bring it to me to sell because you don’t need it.” He said he uses his sterling silver for everyday ware. “Even pork and beans taste better off a sterling spoon,” he noted.
- “Stuff is always more valuable where it comes from,” Bishop said. “Everyone wants local stuff.”
- Silk, if properly cared for, will last 800 to 1,000 years.
- It’s fine to put your sterling silver in the dishwasher. But put the knives in the basket blade end down so that water won’t seep into the handle of the piece. And don’t mix your sterling with stainless steel in the same load.
- Antiques represent “the ultimate form of recycling,” he said. Ha. Good point.
One particular treat we got Saturday night was meeting a couple at our table with whom we had a fun connection. At the Opera Ball in November, I bought during the silent auction a beautiful purse made from a cigar box. (Click here for the blog post about that event and a picture of my great new purse.) Turns out the couple at our table are responsible for that wonderful purse. Carmen Nappo smoked the cigars from that box. And his wife, Joan MacReynolds, turned the box into my purse! Thanks, friends.
The Symphony League’s “Elegant Dining” series is just getting started and there are plenty of fun events coming up. Click here to check out what’s available. Maybe we’ll see you at some of them.
Click here for a great story from Metro Pulse about caterer Holly Hambright and her sister, Peggy, who owns Magpies bakery in Downtown North.
Mox, you had better get that Dogwood china service — I’ve had my eye on it, too…
Ellen, you go ahead and get it. Your storage situation is so much better than mine. I think it is a great deal — especially now that it is on sale.
No can do — Peter would throttle me!
Thanks, all y’all, for supporting the KSO! And thanks, Cynthia, for the blow-by-blow account – what fun! (You need to get the china, btw.)
Carol: I love the china, but have no place to store it now that I live downtown. One small disadvantage. But, truthfully, I already have three sets of “good” china — mine, Mom’s and my grandmother’s. Plus a s–t load of Fiestaware, which I love, love, love! Someone else deserves the dogwood china. Some lucky person. That was a fun event. (Especially since I didn’t have to drink that awful Woodbridge chard.)
Cynthia: The china is beautiful. I don’t see how you can pass it up. I’m tempted just looking at it in the picture. I love china!!!
What a fun idea for a party!
It was fun, Gay! They’ve got some good ones this year. We have signed up for four of them!
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