How could the night have been anything but spectacular when eight of the city's top chefs joined forces at Reef to create a multi-course dinner for Theatre Under the Stars. Just ask the 240 guests that filled the restaurant for the TUTS "Vine & Dine" celebration.
Heading the culinary team was Reef's Bryan Caswell, joined by Cordúa Restaurants' Michael Cordúa and David Cordúa, Gatlin's BBQ's Greg Gatlin, former Feast chef Richard Knight, Uchi's Andrew Lewis, Kathleen Mathews and Philippe Schmit. Think foie gras on fresh-grilled brioche, Gulf red snapper, braised pork cheeks with mushroom polenta and dessert including aerated olive ice cream, toasted rice cremeux and chocolate ganache. Yum!
The dishes were paired with wines from Amici, Bravante Vineyards, Decimus, Hensley Family Vineyards and Nice Winery.
Forensic accountant Alan Ratliff chaired the evening that raised $174,000 for TUTS' education and outreach programming. For the diners' entertainment, excerpts from TUTS and TUTS Underground productions of Kinky Boots, Waiting for Johnny Depp and First Date were presented. The TUTS family was represented by president and CEO John Breckenridge and artistic director Bruce Lumpkin.
Satisfied diners included Paulina and Jim McGrath, Sofia Adrogué, Stephen Lewis, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Tony Chase and Dina Alsowayel, Carl Josehart and Sam Jacobson, Lamees and Nabeel Amudi and Sarah and Thad Dameris.
Demetra and Frank Jones.
