Newly engaged Patricia Bible and Stephen Hackney.
The event is called “L’Amour du Vin” and it’s in its 19th year as the major annual fundraiser for the Knoxville Museum of Art. It means “for the love of wine” in French. But this past weekend, it translated to love in a more general way — at least for Patricia Bible and Stephen Hackney.
They used the Saturday night event at the museum to debut Bible’s beautiful new engagement ring. Hackney had proposed to her the previous evening! Congrats to them both. Bible, a prominent local businesswoman, is the founder and CEO of KaTom Restaurant Supply. Hackney is owner of a well-known landscape architecture firm in Knoxville.
L’Amour du Vin is a three-day affair each year that features special vintners, a special artist and a special chef who prepares a stunning meal with the help of the local celebrities from Blackberry Farm. All that came to a head Saturday night at the museum. This year’s vintners were Luc and Jodie Morlet of Morlet Family Vineyards in St. Helena, California. Artist was Gordon Cheung, who currently has art on display as part of the museum’s “Global Asias” exhibit. And the chef was Stephanie Izard, owner of Girl & the Goat restaurants in Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as several other eateries.
Patricia Bible shows off her gorgeous new engagement ring! Love it!
Kreis Beall, co-founder of Blackberry Farm, and Michael White in the museum for a champagne reception prior to Saturday’s dinner.
From left, Kimberly Ford, Lindsay Cates and Dino Cartwright. Cartwright is with Lexus of Knoxville, a longtime presenting sponsor of L’Amour du Vin.
State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey with Alan Carmichael, left, and her husband, Morton Massey.
Sheryl Linck with Chris Lambert, left, and Thomas Ford.
Birgit Clark and her husband, Ashley Capps.
Jessica Stevens, left, and Natalie Dowling.
Soon, it was time to enter the huge tent set up in the June and Rob Heller Garden.
Notice that dramatic lighting? That will affect the quality of the photos that follow! Ha.
Smoked shrimp salad with pickled kumquats and onions was the appetizer. It was paired with the champagne from the reception: a Mestres “1312 Reserva” brut cava from Spain. Delish.
Jerry Kruse of The Pour Guys bartending service, with City Council Member Janet Testerman.
Knoxville Museum of Art Executive Director David Butler, left, with Mitchell Moseley.
Annie Colquitt and John Winemiller.
Museum patrons Eric and Elaine Zeanah.
Next course: Ora King salmon poke with miso brown butter aioli, blood orange, smoked beets and furikake. Wine was a 2018 Morlet Family Vineyards “Ma Douce” chardonnay from Fort Ross-Seaview in Sonoma Coast.
Stephen Wicks, curator of the Knoxville Museum of Art, with his wife, Wokie Massaquoi-Wicks.
Terry and Regina Turner.
Steve and Ann Bailey.
From left, Lee Montgomery, Rosemary Gilliam and Robert Shipley.
Pork belly salad, anyone? It was fantastic. Served with green mango, pickled Fresno chiles, shrimp rice and coconut crunch. Wine was a 2018 Morlet Family Vineyards “Joli Coeur” pinot noir from Fort Ross-Seaview in Sonoma Coast.
From left, R.J. Hinde, Mark Grayson, Johnnie Creel, Steven Frampton and John Winemiller.
Carole and Bob Martin.
Lisa and David Reath.
Susan and Lee Hyde. As the longtime former development director of the Knoxville Museum of Art, she is credited with starting L’Amour du Vin 19 years ago.
David Colquitt, left, with Lindsay and Lloyd Russell.
Beef short rib with salted caramel and pickle salad. We were served two wines with this one! A 2014 Morlet Family Vineyards “Mon Chevalier” cabernet sauvignon from Knights Valley in Sonoma Coast; and a 2014 Morlet Family Vineyards “Passionnement” cabernet sauvignon from Oakville in Napa Valley.
David and Mary Kane Rhodes.
Drs. Mark and Meredith Overholt.
Carla May Paré and John Winemiller. As director of fundraising events for the Knoxville Museum of Art, this event was her baby.
This sight always makes me afraid! When you see auctioneer Bear Stephenson focusing on you!
Jared Akridge was one of Stephenson’s “spotters” for the auction and did a fantastic job of helping separate guests from their money!
Speaking of which, the big prize of the night — an original Gordon Cheung — went home with Ruth and Joe Fielden, upper right in this photo. Museum officials didn’t want to say specifically what the going price was, but David Butler said it was a record-breaker for this event. Others in the photo are Joe and Katherine Fielden, at left, and artist Gordon Cheung and his partner, Inez Suen.
Here’s a look at it!
Chef Stephanie Izard made brief remarks. I do want to visit Girl & the Goat next time we are in Chicago.
From left, Vintner Luc Morlet, Kris Beall and June and Rob Heller, volunteer chairs for the week’s events. Great job, everybody.
Lush flowers were in the centerpieces. The kind featured in Gordon Cheung’s artwork.
As we left, we said goodbye to Robert and Candice Willoughby, on left, who were chatting with the happy newly engaged couple!
Thank you Cynthia–it was a great evening! The KMA is lucky to have so many generous folks supporting it. Glad you and Alan were there to enjoy!
It was so much fun, David! Thanks for your help with the names on the Blue Streak!
A great write-up of a great evening!
Thanks, Carole. Sure was a fun time!
Patricia Bible is absolutely gorgeous. I always enjoy your Blue Streak pictures and comments. As always, a job well done my friend!!!
Thanks, Phyllis! Patricia and Stephen both seem very happy!
Cynthia- always enjoy keeping up w Knoxville thru the Blue Streak! Miss all you guys. M
Mike: Folks here miss you, too! We keep up with you through Facebook. That trip to Sonoma looked pretty sweet!
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