Hospitality Gala
The 25th anniversary of the Hospitality Gala provided an elegant evening of fabulous dining with global wine pairings from top chefs and winemakers from around the county at The Hotel at Auburn University. The fundraiser for the Auburn University’s Hotel and Restaurant Management program raised a record $310,000. The evening began with a Taittinger champagne reception. Cooking demonstrations were presented during the meet and taste with chefs and winemakers, as items were viewed for the silent auction. This culinary team included five notable guest chefs working together with four local chefs to craft the Gala’s signature four-course meal.
Guest chefs included Chef Matt Bolus of The 404 Kitchen in Nashville, Tenn.; Chef Donnie Ferneau of The 1836 Club in Little Rock, Ark.; Chef Lee Styer of Fond in Reading, Pa.; and chefs David Campbell and Andrew Litherland of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds in Greensboro, Ga. Local chefs included Auburn University Hotel and Restaurant Management alumni Chef Rob McDaniel, Chef David Bancroft, Chef Brandon Burleson and The Hotel at Auburn University’s own Executive Chef Leo Maurelli III. Wines for the evening were provided by California winemakers Joe Davis and Fritz Stuhlmuller and South African winemaker Matthew van Heerden. The 2016 outstanding Alumnus Award was presented to Ryan M. Penso, who is part of PF Chang’s Global Brand Development Team. A live auction ended the evening. Photos by Ann Cipperly
[supsystic-gallery id=3]Business After Hours
In October, Berkshire Hathaway hosted the Auburn Chamber’s Business After Hours at the Auburn University Club. The AU Club was in orange and blue splendor and the food was beyond compare. Guests enjoyed a full array of “Southern Golf Country Club Fare” including southern delicacies like pulled pork and pimento cheese sliders, lobster mac n’ cheese, Alabama caviar, shrimp cocktail, egg salad on toast, club sandwiches, quiche, shrimp and grits and MORE! Guests also enjoyed a beef carving station and a plethora of amazing desserts including sweet potato bread pudding with butter pecan ice cream.
With Berkshire Hathaway’s continued investment in the local business community as a “Visionary Partner” of the Auburn Chamber, registered golfers had the opportunity to shoot for a $400,000 home. The award-winning agents and support staff of BHHS were on hand to cheer on golfers during the hole in one challenge and then entertained guests afterwards and throughout the elegant evening at the AU Club. They also answered questions about “True Golf Club Living” at the newest neighborhoods at Auburn University Club – Falls Crest, Parc and Club Creek. Unfortunately, none of the qualifiers were able to make the special hole in one, but they know what to practice for and have their sites set on next year’s tournament.
[supsystic-gallery id=2]Ten Tenors
Stanley Sistrunk of The Flower Store hosted a reception prior to the Ten Tenors performance presented by the Arts of East Alabama. Photos by Ann Cipperly
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