Symphony League delivers a little taste of Austria

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Cynthia Moxley

Chef Simon Hall holds the tiny cookbook for the evening: “Austrian Specialties.”

Sometimes, when you purchase one of the “Elegant Dining” events from the Knoxville Symphony League, you can be transported to another country — without passing the Knox County line! These ladies are well-traveled. And they love sharing their international experiences with the folks back home.

This was the case recently when Elizabeth and Rudy Koester offered a dinner for 10 in their lovely West Knoxville home. “Dinner at Cafe Mozart” was their title for the evening. Chef Simon Hall prepared Viennese dishes paired with European wines. “Guten appetit!” said the description of the evening. (That’s Austrian German for “good appetite!”) Come along and see how the Viennese might be dining tonight!

Elizabeth Koester welcoming Alan Carmichael to the experience.

The table was stunningly set. And, beautiful music was in progress.

The Jewel Tones Quartet includes, from left, Rachel Ford, Diana Salesky, David Wasilko and Melissa Allen. Rachel also happens to be the executive director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Molly Bates offers guest Fred Buffum a sampling of gebacken Gemüse. Let me tell you, these fried vegetables served warm were out of this world!

Other appetizers included Caspian roe and smoked salmon on dark rye and pumpernickel breads. Yum.

I sneaked into the kitchen and saw John and Marla Peterson enjoying some pre-dinner wine.

I also saw this beautiful Linzer torte sitting on the counter waiting to be sliced!

Back in the dining room listening to the enchanting music were host Rudy Koester, left, and A.T. Yanno.

Fred and Gina Buffum.

Mary Cushman, left, and Yellie Greebe.

Tom Fine and Patricia Maffeo.

Caught just as dinner was served were, from left, seated: Alan Carmichael, Susan Yanno, Fred and Gina Buffum. Our hostess, Elizabeth Koester, is standing behind.

The main course was Esterhazy rostbraten (upper Austrian roast beef) with sauteed leeks, carrots and celery along with parsleyed potatoes. And, isn’t the china fabulous?

After dinner, we took a short break before dessert. On the porch enjoying a little respite, were, from left, Molly Bates, Chef Simon Hall, Stephanie Sawyer, Kim Donahue and Elizabeth Koester.

Dessert was that Linzer torte, right, and Sacher torte, which is a chocolate cake with apricot jam filling. And whipped cream, of course.

And Austrian candies to boot!

Thanks so much to this sweet couple, Elizabeth and Rudy Koester, for all you do for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. It was a sweet evening.

Here’s a sample of the enchanting music by the Jewel Tones:

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11 Responses to Symphony League delivers a little taste of Austria

  1. Jacob Teetzmann, on July 2nd, 2019 at 1:29 pm said:

    Lecker, Mozartkugeln!

    Reply
  2. Cynthia Moxley, on July 2nd, 2019 at 1:37 pm said:

    Very clever, Jacob! Forced me onto the Google! Lecker means delicious. And Mozartkugeln is the name for those chocolates! Good for you.

    Reply
  3. Alan Carmichael, on July 2nd, 2019 at 1:50 pm said:

    Jacob is Chief Translator.

    Reply
  4. Cynthia Moxley, on July 2nd, 2019 at 1:55 pm said:

    Also a very good intern. Who happens to be from Germany!

    Reply
  5. Gina Buffum, on July 2nd, 2019 at 2:40 pm said:

    Lovely photos, lovely evening!

    Reply
  6. Cynthia Moxley, on July 2nd, 2019 at 4:03 pm said:

    Thanks, Gina. Fun being with you all, as always.

    Reply
  7. Diana Salesky, on July 2nd, 2019 at 5:20 pm said:

    Cynthia, something I really loved about this event is that our beautiful hostess Elizabeth won the quartet’s appearance through a bid at the Knoxville Croquet Tournament (to benefit Knoxville Opera). She then paired it with her Elegant Dining evening (to benefit the KSO). Elizabeth is also the epitome of graciousness. Whereas musicians are usually shuffled out the back door once their performance is over, she invited us to mingle with the guests and then had an elaborate spread awaiting us. That said, she probably learned the old adage: Never leave a group of musicians alone with a wine cart and wheel of brie!!

    Reply
  8. Cynthia Moxley, on July 3rd, 2019 at 10:19 am said:

    Diana: Haha! Funny adage about musicians. I also love the way Elizabeth pieced the fun evening together. The music was a wonderful addition, by the way. Great job.

    Reply
  9. Yellie Greebe, on July 7th, 2019 at 9:06 am said:

    This was the best Elegant Dinner event ever! Unforgettable.Thank you Rudy and Elizabeth.Yellie

    Reply
  10. Mary Cushman, on July 7th, 2019 at 1:30 pm said:

    Loved every minute of it; delicious food, beautiful music, gorgeous setting, and marvelous table companions and conversation! What a lovely evening!! Mary Cushman

    Reply
  11. Cynthia Moxley, on July 7th, 2019 at 5:28 pm said:

    Yellie and Mary: Thanks for commenting on the Blue Streak! Agree about what a sweet evening it was. Fun being with you all.

    Reply

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