Folks were begging to spend $700!

Natalie and Jim Haslam, who know a thing or two about fundraisers, at one they really enjoy.

Natalie and Jim Haslam, who know a thing or two about fundraisers, at one they really enjoy.

Jim Haslam, the founder of Pilot Travel Centers, said he wants the Knoxville Symphony to continue doing this event. “This is exactly the kind of thing they should be doing,” he said. And David Gensterblum, CEO of Aqua-Chem, said he thinks the KSO should do it every month!

So what is this popular occasion? A special evening at Blackberry Farm featuring a gourmet dinner with wine pairings — and a short concert by the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra.

Right now the Blackberry dinner is scheduled to be an annual event — in March. It is pricey – $350 per ticket. But more than half of that is tax deductible. And it really does impress one with what high quality assets we have here in our own home. Folks literally come from around the world to stay and dine at Blackberry Farm. Among its many accolades, Blackberry Farm was voted the number one resort in North America by Travel + Leisure and has been a member of Relais & Chateaux, a collection of the most exclusive restaurants and hotels around the world, since 1994.

The Knoxville Symphony also is on a roll, having shown continual growth and improvement since Maestro Lucas Richman took the helm as music director and conductor 10 years ago. And while symphony orchestras in much larger cities are struggling financially and some even are closing, the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra has finished its fiscal year in the black for six years in a row. With great events like this one, hopefully that will continue.

The KSO ends its fiscal year at the end of May. The only category of donations that currently is down is the category for small gifts — $1,000 and below. If you have been intending to make a gift, this is just a gentle reminder that now is a good time to do that. The KSO contributes so much to our lifestyle here. Not just through the regularly scheduled concerts, but by the quality the musicians add to our everyday lives through performances at schools and hospitals, music lessons for children and adults and numerous independent engagements for parties and weddings and restaurant gigs throughout the year.

Click here to donate. In the meantime check out this fun evening and see if you don’t think you should be at Blackberry Farm for this next year.

A bunch of us rented a limo to take us to Blackberry Farm. It was a great part of the evening. From left, Jim and Phyllis NIchols, Michael and Judith Foltz and Alan Carmichael.

A bunch of us rented a limo to take us to Blackberry Farm. It was a great part of the evening. From left, Jim and Phyllis NIchols, Michael and Judith Foltz and Alan Carmichael.

Ken Levine and Sheena McCall were in the back seat.

Ken Levine and Sheena McCall were in the back seat.

When we arrived at Blackberry they were passing these little French cheese puffs called gougeres on slate slabs. Elegant and delicious.

When we arrived at Blackberry they were passing these little French cheese puffs called gougeres on slate slabs. Elegant and delicious.

I thought the signature cocktail was very sophisticated - even if it was served in a mason jar! It contained Cathead vodka from Mississippi, spiced orange syrup, bitters and a little soda water. I loved it, but I really like the taste of bitters.

I thought the signature cocktail was very sophisticated – even if it was served in a mason jar! It contained Cathead vodka from Mississippi, spiced orange syrup, bitters and a little soda water. I loved it, but I really like the taste of bitters.

A quartet from the Youth Orchestra provided beautiful music during the cocktail hour.

A quartet from the Youth Orchestra provided beautiful music during the cocktail hour.

Jim Haslam, left, was chatting with Rick Johnson, the incoming KSO board chair, and Anna and Frank Gray.

Jim Haslam, left, was chatting with Rick Johnson, the incoming KSO board chair, and Anna and Frank Gray, right.

From left, Craig Shelton, Mary Ellen Brewington and Susan Brown.

From left, Craig Shelton, Mary Ellen Brewington and Susan Brown.

Sean Claire and Stacy Taylor. He is a violinist with the KSO and she is the KSO's director of operations. They are married.

Sean Claire and Stacy Taylor. He is a violinist with the KSO and she is the KSO’s director of operations. They are married.

KSO Board member John Winemiller, right, and R.J. Hinde

KSO Board member John Winemiller, right, and R.J. Hinde

Attorney Heather Anderson, left, with Jim and Phyllis Nichols, another KSO Board member.

Attorney Heather Anderson, left, with Jim and Phyllis Nichols, another KSO Board member.

Alan Carmichael, left, with Linda and Buck Vaughn

Alan Carmichael, left, with Linda and Buck Vaughn

KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford, left with Mark and Cathy Mamantov. He is a former KSO Board chair.

KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford, left with Mark and Cathy Mamantov. He is a former KSO Board chair.

And then it was time for dinner. I love the special china Blackberry Farm had commissioned, like this charger.

And then it was time for dinner. I love the special china Blackberry Farm had commissioned, like this charger.

Here's the barn where our dinner was served!

Here’s the barn where our dinner was served!

Blackberry's centerpieces tend to be very simple, but lovely. Like this one.

Blackberry’s centerpieces tend to be very simple, but lovely. Like this one.

The beets for this beet and blue cheese salad were "harvested this morning," Chabot said. It also contained garden mizuna, smoked grapes, pecan oil and saba. It was paired with Dutton Goldfield chardonnay from Green Valley, 2007.

The beets for this beet and blue cheese salad were “harvested this morning,” we were told. It also contained garden mizuna, smoked grapes, pecan oil and saba. It was paired with Dutton Goldfield chardonnay from Green Valley, 2007.

Blackberry's version of chicken and dumplings included chicken confit, potato gnocchi and forest mushrooms. It was sublime. Paired with Banaccorsi, Fiddlestix Vineyard pinot noir, from Sta. Rita Hills, 2007.

Blackberry’s version of chicken and dumplings included chicken confit, potato gnocchi and forest mushrooms. It was sublime. Paired with Banaccorsi, Fiddlestix Vineyard pinot noir, from Sta. Rita Hills, 2007.

Painted Hills beef shortribs over rice grits, olive oil braised kale and roasted mushrooms. Paired with Paraduxx Z Blend from Napa Valley, 2009. Chabot said this winery is "all about blends." It was delicious.

Painted Hills beef shortribs over rice grits, olive oil braised kale and roasted mushrooms. Paired with Paraduxx Z Blend from Napa Valley, 2009. Chabot said this winery is “all about blends.” It was delicious.

Milk chocolate hazelnut crunch with vanilla camarel and candied cocoa nibs. Yum.

Milk chocolate hazelnut crunch with vanilla caramel and candied cocoa nibs. Yum.

Sandy and Hank Bertelkamp

Sandy and Hank Bertelkamp

Anna and Dr. Frank Gray

Anna and Dr. Frank Gray

Linda and Buck Vaughn

Linda and Buck Vaughn

Barbara and Bill Arant

Barbara and Bill Arant

Young Concertmaster Gabe Lefkowitz wowed everyone.

Young Concertmaster Gabe Lefkowitz wowed everyone.

The whole concert was beautiful.

The whole concert was beautiful. (My pictures, shot in low light, are not! Sorry.)

Richard and Bette Bryan at the end of the evening.

Richard and Bette Bryan at the end of the evening.

Mike and Lisa Knott, left, with newlyweds Holly and Russ Watkins

Mike and Lisa Knott, left, with newlyweds Holly and Russ Watkins. Russ is on the KSO Board.

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9 Responses to Folks were begging to spend $700!

  1. Gay Lyons, on April 17th, 2013 at 10:47 pm said:

    This all sounds great. Thanks for sharing! I’ve been thinking of trying my hand at gougeres. You’ll have to let me know if mine match up.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on April 18th, 2013 at 12:44 am said:

    Gay: First of all, you would love this event. It is right up your alley. Secondly, I would love to be the judge of your gougeres! In fact, can’t wait! When?

  3. Gay Lyons, on April 18th, 2013 at 12:16 pm said:

    Make room for us in the limo next time, and I’ll let you know when I’m ready to practice gougeres on you.

  4. Heather Anderson, on April 18th, 2013 at 12:41 pm said:

    Thanks for capturing the evening so perfectly. I tried to take pics of the food as it arrived, in true Cynthia Moxley style, but they did not turn out well. Next year we want to ride in the limo! 🙂

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on April 18th, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:

    Gay: Deal! Heather: We will get a bigger limo and make room for sure!

  6. Mary Ellen Brewington, on April 18th, 2013 at 7:32 pm said:

    Our community is so lucky to have the KSO and this event reminds me how much I enjoy their wonderful talent! And the Cathead vodka cocktail was “oh, my yummy.”

  7. Sheena McCall, on April 18th, 2013 at 7:38 pm said:

    The food was delicious and the music was sublime. It was a very special private concert. We are so lucky to have the Knoxville Symphony and all it’s loyal supporters. And what happens in the limo, stays in the limo!

  8. Rusha Sams, on April 18th, 2013 at 9:11 pm said:

    I’m in when Gay makes gougeres!

  9. Cynthia Moxley, on April 20th, 2013 at 11:33 am said:

    Mary Ellen: They said that Cathead vodka is named after the famous “cathead biscuits” — biscuits as big as a cat’s head. I’m not sure I get the connection, but that’s OK. I really liked that cocktail. Sheena: Heck yeah about what happens in the limo! Rusha: Let’s pressure Gay to hurry up with that little experiment!

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