Wedding reception attracts chefs, artists, notables

Costume change! Don’t the newlyweds look great as they were welcoming guests to their wedding reception at J.C. Holdway on June 9?

If you read the previous post on the Blue Streak, you know what a fun and delicious wedding day Chef Joseph Lenn and noted UT professor Laura Cole had a little over a week ago. I think it was brilliant on their part to schedule their wedding reception on the following day. I mean, you can only party so much in one sitting (or standing)!

The reception attracted not only family members and close friends, but other great chefs and food industry people, our most famous local visual artists, and leaders of Knoxville’s cultural community.

In another stroke of genius, even though the reception was held in Chef Lenn’s restaurant, J.C. Holdway, the couple had the event catered — by Chef Lenn’s friend and former colleague and employee, Marcus Stokely of Wells Station Barbecue.

Well, enough of this talk! Let’s look at the food and the fun of Joseph and Laura Lenn’s wedding reception!

The groom is an avid angler and his bride ordered these special shoes for him!

From left, Katy and Chef John Fleer, Chef Matt Gallaher, and Chef Trevor Stockton. They’ve all worked together over the years, most notably at Blackberry Farm. Fleer now owns Rhubarb in Asheville; Gallaher has Emilia on Market Square in downtown Knoxville, and Stockton is executive chef at R.T. Lodge in Maryville.

Laura and Joseph Lenn with Dustin Busby, also a Blackberry Farm alum, who owns catering company DSB Provisions with his wife, Stacey.

Holly Hambright of Holly’s Gourmet’s Market with Adam Marks, the general manager of J.C. Holdway.

Keith Kirk, left, and Jason Drotar. Both were sommeliers at Blackberry Farm. Keith now is general manager of Emilia. Jason is sommelier at J.C. Holdway.

Pete and Rita Natour, seated, of Pete’s Restaurant in downtown Knoxville, with their sons, Cameron, left, and Joey.

I think my friends at Cherokee Distributing Company will like this picture. Famous bacon and ham purveyor Allan Benton with his beer of choice! “If it’s good enough for a top chef like Joseph Lenn, it’s good enough for me!” Benton laughed.

Ashley Quick, a former line cook at J.C. Holdway, poses with the groom.

Marcus Stokely of Wells Station Barbecue. (Yep, you guessed it — also worked at Blackberry.) (Photo by Emily Lenn.)

Stokely even provided staff to set up and serve the luncheon, giving the J.C. Holdway staff something of a break after the five-hour wedding party the previous day. (Photo by Emily Lenn.)

Buffet line. On the menu: sliced brisket, pulled pork, spare ribs, mac n’ cheese, baked beans.

A well-filled plate!

A variety of cookies were provided by the groom’s sister, Meredith Quillen. Rave reviews!

The bride’s father and step-mother, Kathy and John Seery, Sr.

The groom’s parents, Jerry and Emily Lenn,

Sommelier Jason Drotar, right, with his parents, Charles and Kathleen Drotar.

Knoxville Opera CEO Jason Hardy and his wife, Carrie.

Ashley Capps and Birgit Clark. He’s founder, executive and artistic director of the Big Ears Festival.

From left, Maria and Kevin McHale with Caraline and Aram Demirjian, the music director of Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

David Butler, left, and Ted Smith. Butler is the recenlty retired director of the Knoxville Museum of Art.

From left, Kim Henry, David Butler, and artist Tommie Rush.

Glass artist Richard Jolley with the newlyweds.

Artist Andrew Saftel and Susan Knowles.

D.L. and Courtney Bergmeier.

Natalie and Jim Haslam.

From left, Stephen Hackney, Tommie Rush, Patricia Bible, Tanya Bible, and Charley Bible.

Adrian and Knox County Commissioner Larsen Jay flank the wedding couple.

Rusty and Patti Hutcheson. He works at M.S. McClellan and was responsible for the great suit the groom wore on his wedding day!

Randy and Robin Gibson.

Mark and Laura Heinz with Martha Hill, at right.

The newlyweds with R.J. Hinde, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UT.

John and Katy Fleer with Steve Collins, right.

Bill and Gay Lyons.

Downtowners Jim Harness, left, and Rick Kennedy.

Jerry Lenn, left, with Susan and Jim Turner.

Jen and Matt Mowrer.

Dustin Busby, center, with Leigh Ann and Matt Garrett.

Gerald Witt and Dr. Lauren Chiles.

From left, Hancen Sale, Jared Worsham, and Nathan Ogle.

Dr. Ryan and Maggie Farley.

Dr. Gerald and Jane Lubert.

Betty Sue and Doug Sparks.

Suzan Murphy and Randall Willis.

Dee Dee and Jim Brogan.

Stephen Hackney enjoying some wedding cake. Really enjoying it!

 

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5 Responses to Wedding reception attracts chefs, artists, notables

  1. Gay Lyons, on June 17th, 2024 at 10:33 am said:

    It was great to see Laura & Joseph looking so happy & to see so many friends all gathered to celebrate them. That brisket! Laura’s dress! Such a good time!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on June 17th, 2024 at 10:37 am said:

    Gay: Agree! One of the prettiest dresses I’ve ever seen! And a convivial — and large — crowd. It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

  3. Kathy Brennan, on June 17th, 2024 at 5:44 pm said:

    Just lovely! That’s the way it should be done. Looking back (60’s) mine was rushed and we were pushed out the door on way to honeymoon. What’s the rush? Right!
    Again just lovely

  4. John Seery, on June 17th, 2024 at 7:17 pm said:

    Thanks again for such comprehensive coverage of this great event!

  5. Kathy Brennan, on June 17th, 2024 at 7:43 pm said:

    Loved her beautiful floral dress!

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