The group started with cocktails and a tour of the garden where Adrian and Larsen Jay grow vegetables and flowers. Larsen said tending the garden is his “therapy.”
I have to say the description of the auction item that a group of Knoxville Symphony supporters went in together to bid on was very apt. “An Enchanted Evening,” the program at the Symphony Ball said.
It truly did turn out to be magical this past Sunday night when 20 of us gathered to redeem the item. It entailed dinner provided by Joseph Lenn, Knoxville’s only James Beard Award-winning chef, and his great staff at J.C. Holdway at the beautiful Bearden-area home of Symphony Board member Adrian Jay, her husband Larsen, and two sons, Alexander and Henry. Bonus was a short pre-dinner recital by KSO Conductor Aram Demirjian, Concertmaster Will Shaub, and pianist Andrew Duncan.
The four friendly canines who kept us company throughout the night were just a delightful addition.
The four pair of winning bidders who got to invite the guests: Bill and Alexa Riley, Drs. Meredith and Mark Overholt, Dino Cartwright and Mitchell Moseley, my husband Alan Carmichael and me. I think we hit the jackpot with this purchase! (Unfortunately, the Rileys had a conflict and couldn’t attend.)
The long table was beautifully set when we arrived.
Chef Joseph Lenn with his wife, Laura, were minding the grill. She’s the director of the Masters Investment Learning Center at the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee. But my favorite job title of hers is “CFO” of J.C. Holdway — chief flower officer!
Homeowner Larsen Jay, right, welcomed guests Janet Testerman and Joey Creswell with signature cocktails of the evening: Fire Tigers. Janet is on the board of the Symphony.
Fire Tigers are made with tequila, cucumber, jalapeno, and lime. The glass is rimmed with salt and Urfa chili pepper.
Guest Susan Brown and one of the Jays’ dogs, Sandy.
KSO board member Rick Stone, left, and Alan Carmichael.
From left, Dr. Mark Overholt, Phyllis and Jim Nichols. Phyllis is on the KSO board.
KSO Board member Mark Mamantov and his wife Cathy.
KSO Board member Doug Leahy and his wife Carolyn.
Alan Carmichael, left, with Jerry and Emily Lenn, the parents of the chef (and good friends of ours!).
KSO Conductor Aram Demirjian, left, with Drs. Mark and Meredith Overholt. She’s a KSO Board member.
Here’s a welcome sight: Dino Cartwright with a cocktail in each hand!
The Jays have this bronze horse in the garden. It’s a nod to Adrian’s fondness for the animals. Looks like Rick Stone likes them, too!
Chef Lenn’s passed hors d’oeuvres, clockwise from top: shrimp cocktail; charred peppers with lime and sea salt; and smoked fish dip with trout roe on cucumber slices. Delish!
Our hostess, Adrian Jay, with another popular addition to the party: Cooper!
Larsen Jay, left, with Aram Demirjian.
Pianist Andrew Duncan, left, and Concertmaster William Shaub.
From left, Joey Creswell, Janet Testerman, and Rick Stone chatting with Chef Joseph Lenn.
Soon, we were called inside to refresh our drinks and settle in for a little music. Here’s J.C. Holdway’s sommelier Jason Drotar standing ready behind the bar in the kitchen.
Our generous hosts, Adrian and Larsen Jay.
Getting ready for the music, Mitchell Moseley, left, and Dino Cartwright in comfy window seats.
Susan Brown, left, and Carolyn Leahy.
Showtime! From left, Will Shaub, Andrew Duncan, and Aram Demirjian.
Will’s playing during the second movement of a Haydn piece literally brought tears to my eyes it was so beautiful.
The conductor also plays cello! And he had one more surprise for us. I’ll put it at the bottom of this post!
The 30 minutes flew by and it was time to return to the patio. From left, Mark and Cathy Mamantov with Laura Lenn.
And the Jays’ son, Alexander, brought Brody out to meet us!
Terry and Rachel Ford arrived in time for the music and dinner. She’s CEO of the Knoxville Symphony Society.
Salads, served family style, were, clockwise from top: watermelon and cantaloupe with arugula and Benton’s country ham; green bean, cucumber and cherry tomato salad with red wine vinaigrette; and heirloom tomatoes with peaches and basil. Yum.
Chef Lenn checking on things.
Our host chose to sit at what they call at J.C. Holdway “the chef’s counter.” That’s where customers can watch the kitchen action while they dine.
See what I mean? Sous Chef Greg Tallent preps the steak. That little contraption in front of him keeps bugs away. They were cleverly placed around the site.
Chef Austin Agent plates the grilled corn.
Meanwhile, at the table, it looks like Mark Mamantov and Aram Demirjian are having a serious conversation.
How nice is this? Seeing the setting sun kind of blinding guests on the east side of the table, Larsen opened some umbrellas in the pool to provide shade!
Get a load of these side dishes! Clockwise from top: eggplant with peperonata; okra with Romesco; and corn with corn butter, Parmesan, and basil.
And the entrees, clockwise from top: barbecued ribs with peanuts; New York strip with chimichurri; and chicken with Alabama white BBQ sauce.
More guests at the “chef’s counter:” Larsen Jay, left, and his sons, Alexander, center, and Henry.
I think they are having fun!
See what I mean?
And then we noticed dessert being assembled! From left, chefs Austin Agent, Andy Grigsby, and Joseph Lenn. (Photo by Larsen Jay.)
Here it is: cornbread pudding with peaches and blueberry sorbet. (Alan thought he’d died and gone to heaven!)
A well-deserved round of applause!
From left, Laura Lenn, Jason Drotar and server Tyler Benfield.
It was 8:30, the sun was setting and I’m sure Adrian and Larsen wondered if we would ever leave their table! (Photo by Alan Carmichael.)
But, after Janet and Susan said a final goodbye to Dutch, we finally did!
Here’s that surprise I promised. Who knew?
How perfectly lovely!
Gay: Everything came together – the weather, setting, food, music, and company – to make it a magical benefit for the Knoxville Symphony.
Wow!!!! What an evening to experience & remember. Thank you for your photos & comments. We have a lot of beautiful people & talent in our area!!
Leslie: We really are blessed to have so many folks committed to supporting our thriving artistic community.
Looks like a great night!
Monique: One of the best! And, even more important, it was for a great cause!
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