Hey Cutie,
As promised on Monday, I’ve got the full recap of the St. Jude Wine Country Garden Harvest. The day started with Chef Carla Hall’s Cooking Demonstration. That was followed by a Wine Tasting + Hors d’oeuvres + Entertainment + Live Auction. The big boom was the Farm to Table Dinner with Celebrity Chefs, St. Jude guest, silent auction and dessert.
The video recap.
The event took place at the beautiful Salamander Resort & Spa, in Middleburg, Virginia. This place was breathtaking. It is owned by Sheila Johnson, Co-Founder of BET. Yes, you read that right, she and her ex-husband created BET in 1979. She also has ownership of the Washington, DC sports teams: NBA Wizards, the NHL Capitals, and the WNBA Mystics. She was the biggest sweetheart and I adored her.
There was so much going on, but they broke it down nicely in the booklet. It also gave us a chance to read up on the other Celeb Chefs and event sponsors.
We went from table to table experiencing what each Chef had to offer. I should have worn a skirt with an elastic waistband.
Of all the things that I ate, trust me I ate all of the things. This Red Velvet Chicken and Waffle was the absolute best thing I put in my mouth. Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious!
I love Gordon Ramsay’s show Hell’s Kitchen. I watched Season III and so I knew who Chef Rock was via the TV. It was so dope to actually meet him in person. He is a DC local so that makes things even sweeter. He was serving up biscuit sandwiches, they were bomb homemade biscuits. I’m holding them on my plate in the picture above.
We had the time of our life at this event. We met a lot of amazing people, we chatted we laughed and we took it all in.
The Salamander Resort & Spa is star rated for a reason.
After our spectacular garden photo shoot, it was time to come in for dinner. Dinner was a three-course meal and each course was paired with a wine. While we dinned we had a St. Jude family share their story. We heard from St. Jude’s CEO and Sheila Johnson. With each course, the Chef’s that prepared the meal came out and talked to us about it. Followed by the Vineyard who explained the wine pairing.
Roasted Piri Piri Baby Carrots with Portuguese Cucumber Salad – Chef Carla Hall
Wine: Wild Boar Sauvignon Blanc – Stone Tower Winery
Wok Fired Gulf Shrimp with Garlic & Bacon XO Sauce served with Korean Rice Porridge – Chefs Scott Drewno and Danny Lee
Wine: N/V Wild Boar Rose Cuvee – Stone Tower Winery
Third Course: Not pictured because I’m fat, but man it was so delicious.
72-hour Braised Wagyu Beef Zabaton with Charred Local Ramp Tops, Oyster Mushrooms & Red Wine and Sage Demi – Chef Ryan Arensdorf
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – Barrel Oak Winery
Wild Boar Sauvignon Blanc – Stone Tower Winery: Wild Boar Sauvignon Blanc – Stone Tower Winery
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon – Barrel Oak Winery
I met Mr. Shadyac when I did my St. Jude Blogger Tour. He is consistently a great guy, he was made for this job. His father and uncles both knew and worked with Danny Thomas from the beginning of St. Jude’s inception. He saw fit to continue their legacy.
Not pictured is the incredible live auction that took place. They auctions off trips, experiences and more all in the name of charity, some of the prizes had some well-known people creating some expensive bidding wars in the name of raising more donations! This is one huge reason charitable events are so helpful to the cause or charity in question, celebs often turn to charity work when they have free time whether it be at events or through some other method, this means where there are celebrities there are very generous figures offered to those that need it the most!
They hooked us up with an incredible dessert buffet.
Sheila is the definition of a Boss, Forbes can back that up. Despite all of her fame and wealth, she has a heart of gold.
Roland Martin is an American journalist, syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate, author, and TV One Host. What I didn’t know is he has this selfie game on lock.
I’m honored to be in the company of such amazing individuals. St. Jude is such a worthy cause and I love supporting them.
Chat with me in the comment below or FB, IG or Twitter.
May 24, 2017 @ 5:09 pm
That looks like it was so much fun! I could go for a day of beautiful gardens and great food and wine. Nice.
June 22, 2017 @ 8:23 am
Stacie it was like a magical getaway for an amazing cause.
May 24, 2017 @ 7:20 pm
Looks like an awesome event and such a wonderful cause. St Jude’s is an awesome institution that does so much for so many. it looks like everyone had a great time for a great cause.
June 22, 2017 @ 8:26 am
They really do Jeni. That is why I will always support their mission.
May 24, 2017 @ 7:23 pm
Oh MY! Red Velvet Chicken and Waffles! WOW! Also that Sweet English Pea & Minted Soup looks SO very good! I would love to attend an event like this for such a wonderful cause. I am so happy for you to have experienced it!
June 22, 2017 @ 8:22 am
Joely you would have eaten yourself sick. Each chef out did themselves.
May 24, 2017 @ 8:47 pm
This sounds like it was an amazing event. I would love to go to the Salamander Resort & Spa for a relaxing getaway.
June 22, 2017 @ 8:21 am
Relaxing for sure Claudia, you won’t want to leave.
May 24, 2017 @ 11:39 pm
What a wonderful event. I am not a wine drinker, but I love a good wine from time to time. You will learn so much from events like this.
June 22, 2017 @ 8:20 am
Ha me too. I like to have wine socially.
May 25, 2017 @ 2:48 am
Wow! That’s really awesome! I am very impressive. I would love to attend this kind of event.
June 22, 2017 @ 8:34 am
Thanks Victoria.
May 25, 2017 @ 3:49 am
The food are looks so delicious! That’s a wonderful event!
June 22, 2017 @ 8:20 am
It was incredible.
May 25, 2017 @ 5:39 am
What a beautiful event and I love that all of this is for a cause that’s close to my heart. I hope that this continues for years so that they can keep raising money to help children.
June 22, 2017 @ 8:19 am
That warms my heart Carol. We will keep going for as long as we can. Promise!
May 25, 2017 @ 5:02 pm
This looks like it was an awesome event at a beautiful location. I love your skirt, you looked fabulous. and that red velvet waffle and chicken sounds so so good.
May 31, 2017 @ 4:35 pm
It really was LaShawn, I was honored to be in the room. Girl I would fly to Texas right now for a red velvet chicken and waffles.
May 25, 2017 @ 10:42 pm
Those waffles and chicken look amazing. We had some a few weeks ago.
May 26, 2017 @ 10:45 am
Girl they melted in your mouth.
May 26, 2017 @ 2:13 am
This event looks nice. I can’t wait to check out Salamander Resort one day. It’s beautiful. I love chef Carla Hall too. I know you had a great time. .
May 31, 2017 @ 4:36 pm
Chef Carla is so freaking funny. I love a good personality. The Resort is stunning for sure, you must experience it.
May 26, 2017 @ 3:31 am
Drinking wine and raising money for St Jude? Yes please!! Great post, you have such a great heart!!
May 26, 2017 @ 10:44 am
Thanks, Ricci. You can’t go wrong there.
May 26, 2017 @ 6:33 am
Wow what a fabulous event support of a wonderful cause. I’m s huge supporter of Riley Children’s Hospital and St.Jude.
May 31, 2017 @ 4:32 pm
Thank you for your support Ra’Nesha, that is amazing.
May 26, 2017 @ 7:06 am
I need that Wok Fired Gulf Shrimp with Garlic & Bacon XO Sauce in my life right now! 🙂
I have supported St. Jude and American Cancer Society since College, where is my trip? LOL
or they need to at least re-create this in NYC where I am based! 🙂
May 31, 2017 @ 4:32 pm
Tracy is was mouth watering.
Oh wow Tracy that is awesome. There events are open to the public, find one in a city near you and you can purchase a ticket.
May 26, 2017 @ 7:29 am
St Jude always does some of the best events ever. The vineyard looks beautiful and I’m sure the food was delicious. Overall, I’m glad to see the hospital continue to prosper.
May 26, 2017 @ 10:43 am
Thanks, Elle, they make sure they keep the community involved.
May 26, 2017 @ 7:49 am
Your outfit is so on point, the look of the velvet chicken waffle!!
May 31, 2017 @ 5:38 pm
Thanks Adeola. The red velvet chicken and waffle was incredible.
May 26, 2017 @ 9:03 am
St. Jude is such a great organization to support because of all of the wonderful work they do for families. So the combo of St. Jude and wine? Such a winning combo!
May 31, 2017 @ 5:39 pm
They really are Amanda. They are doing incredible things for the medical industry and in individual lives.
May 26, 2017 @ 9:17 am
This looks like it was an amazing event and like you had a blast. I just love St. Jude and what all they do.
May 26, 2017 @ 10:43 am
Thanks Michelle, is was four stars all the way.
May 26, 2017 @ 9:34 am
This event looks amazing even more so in th name of charity. I can’t lie, I love that the place is owned by a black woman too.
May 26, 2017 @ 10:17 am
Ayak, yes to all of this. I was so geeked.
May 26, 2017 @ 10:02 am
I love the work St. Jude does.I can tell this was an awesome event for an awesome cause. Looks like you had a ball and were surrounding by people who truly care about St. Jude’s mission. Thanks for sharing!
May 31, 2017 @ 5:39 pm
I did Daria, this was an incredible event.
May 26, 2017 @ 12:37 pm
What a beautiful spot!! I love meeting chefs and learning why they chose those dishes and how they created them
May 31, 2017 @ 5:37 pm
Jenn, that was my first time doing so but it was a great experience.
May 27, 2017 @ 12:04 am
You look gorgeous lady. The garden harvest looks lovely and I know how important St. Jude is to the country and world.
May 31, 2017 @ 5:37 pm
Thanks Kita, I love to get dressed up. St. Jude is so monumental to the medical industry.
May 27, 2017 @ 9:28 am
Does my heart good to see wine growing to such an influential industry. Teaming with St. Judes just makes it better yet.
May 31, 2017 @ 5:36 pm
Indeed.
May 28, 2017 @ 9:19 am
How fun! I would love to see Carla Hall in person. I’m a fan. And that Red Velvet Chicken and Waffle just made me hungry. 🙂
May 31, 2017 @ 5:35 pm
Oh Lynndee, you would love her.
May 28, 2017 @ 2:28 pm
Love the work that St. Jude is doing. Looks like you and Te had a wonderful time. The Salamander Resort looks fabulous. I have to visit so I can me one of my role models, Sheila Johnson!
May 31, 2017 @ 5:34 pm
Thanks Kirstin, St. Jude constantly amazes me. We had an amazing time, we worked it all night long. Sheila is magical.
May 28, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
Thats a pretty awesome event and for a great cause. St Jude is amazing.
May 31, 2017 @ 5:34 pm
Thanks Jenny.
May 29, 2017 @ 6:05 am
What a beautiful event St.Jude has organized. Awesome shot with Roland Martin and great event recaps as always this was well done!
May 31, 2017 @ 5:04 pm
Thanks Kiwi.
May 29, 2017 @ 6:37 am
All those food pictures are making this preggy mama drool! Eeek, I’m hungry now. Looks like an awesome day out.
May 31, 2017 @ 5:03 pm
Oh Shaney, I understand that struggle.
Essence My City 4 Ways in DC Was A Creative Experience - MimiCuteLips
May 29, 2017 @ 8:48 am
[…] went for a very comfy and cute look. I was in heels for six hours at the St. Jude event the day prior. There was no way I could put on heels. I will rock this look again with a […]
May 31, 2017 @ 9:17 am
I had no idea Sheila Johnson had such an amazing resume. To go along with that, this looks like it was an incredible event!
May 31, 2017 @ 3:01 pm
Oh she is incredible. It was an amazing event in a beautiful location.
June 5, 2017 @ 3:16 pm
If your photos don’t make me want to get up and buy some rose?! This event looks absolutely fabulous and I love that St. Jude hosted it. I love how passionate you are for them and they seem to have really taken care of you all for this event.
June 6, 2017 @ 10:00 am
Courtney, I’m thankful that you can see my passion for St. Jude. I’ve never partnered with an organization that was so life changing.