Southern Food Writing Conference attracts its own kind of stars to Knoxville — and they like!

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
Alton Brown at the Tennessee Theatre last month

Alton Brown at the Tennessee Theatre last month

Everybody knows how much fun we all had last month at the International Biscuit Festival, also known as Biscuit Fest. But, to me, something that was even more exciting and fun was the Southern Food Writing Conference that preceded it.

I am wondering if, properly executed, the food writing conference couldn’t go an even longer way to putting Knoxville on the culinary map. After all, in association with the conference (and the festival), we had Food Network star Alton Brown appearing at the Tennessee Theatre and we entertained food bloggers, cookbook authors and writers from publications ranging from McMinn Today and the News Sentinel to Southern Living and Gannett News Service.

“From the beginning, we wanted Biscuit Fest to have a cultural element,” said “Biscuit Boss” John Craig, a local developer who founded the festival three years ago. “At first it was music.”

But soon, Craig said, he chatted with cookbook author John T. Edge, Continue reading →

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Journalism, Knoxville, Media | 7 Comments

Hope 2012: A new star shines at an over-the-top party benefiting a very deserving cause

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
Surprise guest Daniel Joseph Baker, a semi-finalist on America's Got Talent

Surprise guest Daniel Joseph Baker, a semifinalist on America's Got Talent

I go to a lot of great parties, but I think the one we went to this past Saturday may be in contention to be the party of the year!

It also was nice that this super party was to benefit one of Moxley Carmichael‘s best clients, Covenant Health. Specifically, Hope 2012 is a party and huge auction that funds the Hope Center at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

Hope Center provides supportive care at no charge to patients and families affected by HIV or other serious illnesses. Its mission is to address individual needs, quality of life, end-stage care, provide HIV education, and sustain hope in a nonjudgmental environment. Who can argue with those lofty goals?

But, let me assure you, this party, named “A Southern Summer’s Night,” was something else. The surprise guest at the event was Daniel Joseph Baker, the young entertainer who made it to the semifinals in last year’s America’s Got Talent TV show. (Click here to see his progress on the show.)

He brought down the house — before AND after a spectacular fireworks show. Continue reading →

Filed under: Art, Events, Knoxville, Music | 9 Comments

A summertime return to Betsey’s garden

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
One of four fountains in Betsey Bush's beautiful tiered garden.

One of four fountains in Betsey Bush's beautiful tiered garden.

Anyone who’s spent any time whatsoever in a garden knows that the best thing about a garden is that it is constantly changing.

Because of the generosity of Betsey Bush to two important local non-profit organizations, some lucky Knoxvillians got to visit her stunning garden in March of this year and again in the summer. Click here to see the beautiful spring garden, lush with tulips, phlox and blooming dogwoods when Betsey hosted a Knoxville Symphony League “Elegant Dining” fundraiser. And read on to see the same garden in June when Betsey once again opened her home and garden as the first repast of the 2012 Knox Heritage “Summer Suppers” series. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 12 Comments

Patios, porches and rooftops: another downtown progressive dinner and another pair of targets!

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
Alan Carmichael munches a tiny lamb lollipop at sunset under a stunning sculpture on Tim Young's rooftop at The Gallery condos.

Alan Carmichael munches a tiny lamb lollipop at dusk under a stunning sculpture on Tim Young's rooftop at The Gallery condos.

Success just makes us bolder! As regular Blue Streak readers know, some of us downtowners are determined to convince all our friends to move here, too! Our strategy is to seduce them by inviting them to join us on one (or more) of our downtown progressive dinners. Since we already have successfully recruited one couple this way — Bruce and Monique Anderson — we are heady with a feeling of invincibility! There is no stopping us!

Actually, our friends are moving downtown faster than we can recruit them! Since our last downtown progressive dinner in February (click here for a report on that one), our friend Tim Young has purchased a fabulous new downtown condo (he previously was leasing downtown) and our pal Eddie Mannis has bought the penthouse in the Glencoe. (A photo of it also is included in that February blog post.)

To take advantage of the beautiful weather, our theme for last Friday’s progressive dinner was patios, porches and rooftops. Our newest targets: federal judge Tom Varlan and his sweet wife, Danni, of Children’s Hospital. “I’d move downtown in a heartbeat,” Danni said. “He’s a tough nut, though.” Well, we will see about that! Continue reading →

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville | 19 Comments

Chuy’s brings its fresh Tex-Mex food, its party attitude — and its cult following — to Knox

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
Gay Lyons poses with Chuy the Redfish, the company mascot, last night at the Redfish Rally. (When my husband, Alan, is not around, it usually falls to Gay to do the crazy poses!)

Gay Lyons poses with Chuy the Redfish, the company mascot, last night at the Redfish Rally. (When my husband, Alan, is not around, it usually falls to Gay to do the crazy poses!)

Some restaurants truly have a cult-like following. That is true for two great new Moxley Carmichael restaurant clients: Tupelo Honey Cafe, based in Asheville and opening on Market Square in September, and Chuy’s, a fun Tex-Mex eatery based in Austin and opening July 31 in west Knoxville.

The folks at Chuy’s, which has quite a local following due to its four Nashville-area locations, like to have what they call a “Redfish Rally,” which is a pre-opening party, about six weeks before they officially start serving customers. That fun event was last night in a big tent in the parking lot of the restaurant at 9235 Kingston Pike.

The big deal about Chuy’s is that everything is fresh. Seriously. They put freezers in their locations, but the freezers contain only two items: French fries for the kids’ meals and push-up ice cream pops for the kids’ meals. Everything else is made from scratch.

Tortillas are hand rolled — that’s why they aren’t always perfectly round. Whole chickens are roasted and the meat is pulled from them by hand for use in the burritos, tacos, enchiladas and other dishes. Salsa fresca is made every hour from fresh vegetables. Anaheim peppers are fire-roasted overnight every night. And seven sauces are made fresh every day. Well, you get the picture. Continue reading →

Filed under: Business, Events, Food, Knoxville | 10 Comments

Drinking with the dead: Friends share Bloody Marys and a stirring visit to Old Gray Cemetery

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
Bill Lyons, right, and Barry and Madge Cleveland, settle down after lunch in Old Gray Cemetery to listen to historian Steve Cotham.

Bill Lyons, right, and Barry and Madge Cleveland, settle down after lunch in Old Gray Cemetery to listen to historian Steve Cotham.

In my continuing effort to fulfill my New Year’s resolution to redeem the numerous charity auction items we have purchased over the past year, Saturday we gathered some friends and headed to Broadway to collect on our “Bloody Mary Cemetery Tour.” This item was purchased during a Knox Heritage auction and promised not only Bloody Marys and lunch, but a guided tour of Old Gray Cemetery by Kim Trent, Knox Heritage’s executive director, and Steve Cotham, manager of the McClung Historical Collection at the East Tennessee History Center.

I don’t remember what we paid for this item, but, let me tell you, it was worth it. There was something magical about the beautiful weather and the lovely setting. And from the moment Steve started telling us stories of the cemetery and its inhabitants, we were hooked. Continue reading →

Filed under: Art, Events, Historic preservation | 12 Comments

Emotional evening reunites Knox “Extreme Makeover” team with Watson family

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
Mandy Watson, right, hugs Christi Branscom, president of Grace Construction, the lead builder on the project. In background is Christi's daughter, Grace, after whom the construction firm was named.

Mandy Watson, right, hugs Christi Branscom, president of Grace Construction, the lead builder on the project. In background is Christi's daughter, Grace, after whom the construction firm was named.

Daniel and Mandy Watson, the Knoxville couple who received the new home in January courtesy of the Emmy-winning ABC reality show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and thousands of community volunteers, said thanks recently with a barbecue dinner for some of the lead folks on the project team.

It was a sweet and touching gesture. Best of all, two of the mothers being helped by Restoration House, the Watsons’ charity for single moms, were on hand with their children to greet the guests and tell what a blessing the non-profit organization — and the Watsons — have been in their lives. Moxley Carmichael was honored to have been selected to provide public relations services for this great community project and Alan and I appreciate the invitation to this reunion of sorts. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Media | 8 Comments

Home makeover turns Ashes into extreme partiers

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley

Joan and Victor Ashe get ready to welcome members of Knox Heritage's 1791 Society to their Kingston Pike home.

Joan and Victor Ashe get ready to welcome members of Knox Heritage's 1791 Society to their Kingston Pike home.

Joan and Victor Ashe, Knoxville’s longest-serving mayor and former U.S. Ambassador to Poland, clearly are enjoying their newly renovated home on Kingston Pike. How can you tell? Well, for one thing, in the space of 10 days this month they had four parties! Continue reading →

Filed under: Art, Events, Food, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 6 Comments

What’s behind that wall?

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
The serpentine wall at 3425 Kingston Pike

The serpentine wall at 3425 Kingston Pike

I’m sure you’ve noticed the interesting serpentine brick wall on the north side of Kingston Pike near the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood. Ever wonder what’s behind it?

The folks at Knox Heritage decided to show their biggest patrons exactly that. In a special tour for members of the 1791 Society (those who have contributed $1,000 or more to the organization), about 70 supporters wandered through the house recently and heard from Knox Heritage’s executive director, Kim Trent, some interesting facts about the structure.

The house is called Westwood and it is, Trent says, “one of the most significant properties in Knoxville.” Westwood is one of the so-called “Three Sisters,” three historic houses built along Kingston Pike in the 1800s by the Armstrong family. Continue reading →

Filed under: Art, Events, Historic preservation | 10 Comments

“Gas station food” done by Blackberry Farm! Ha.

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Cynthia Moxley
My husband, Alan Carmichael -- the one with the massive sweet tooth -- was pleased to discover Blackberry Farm's strawberry rhubarb jam to put on his biscuits.

My husband, Alan Carmichael -- the one with the massive sweet tooth -- was pleased to discover Blackberry Farm's strawberry rhubarb jam to put on his biscuits.

If you attended last weekend’s International Biscuit Festival in downtown Knoxville and you didn’t opt for the $10 all-you-can-eat Biscuit Breakfast or the $5-for-five-biscuits tasting on Biscuit Boulevard, you could have gone for the $85-per-plate Blackberry Farm Biscuit Brunch. It just depends on what you were in the mood for.

As for me, I’m always in the mood for Blackberry Farm.

And boy did I luck up! Not only were Alan and I assigned to a table with our good friends Sheena McCall, Melinda Meador and Milton McNally, but we also got to share brunch with one of my favorite cookbook authors of all time — Nathalie Dupree. Continue reading →

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville | 12 Comments