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As the week came to an end, so did St. Louis Magazine's third annual Food Wine Design Culinary Week. Each night of the weeklong dinner series was devoted to a different culinary theme, and Friday's Classic Italian theme was the perfect ending to a week of divine dinners. This dinner was the first to sell-out in the series, explaining the high energy crowd on this perfect summer evening. Guests were greeted with champagne from Banfi Vintners, beer from Kraftig Light as they explored the luxury Lexus vehicles that lined the red carpet.
The night sky just began to twinkle as Purus Vodka cocktails were creatively shaken up by Matt McMullin of Basso. Diners gazed upon the elaborate "classically Italian" tabletops designed by Tammy Kahre Hardesty of Lifestyles Unlimited; Ellen Kurtz of Ellen Kurtz Interiors; and Kim Taylor of K Taylor Interior Design.
In the heart of the kitchen, Frank Gabriele of Il Bel Lago and Steve Komorek of Trattoria Marcella brought an air of excitement with every dish they served at the final night of Food Wine Design. The first course consisted of a duo of pasta— risotto topped with a rabbit and fava bean ragu served aside large hollow tubes noodle with guanciale, sweet onion, San Marzano tomato, pecorino, and fresh basil and was perfectly paired with Centine Rosso. Soon after, course two was served and gave tastebuds a treat: small sicilian style tuna meatballs with pine nuts and raisins in a tomato sauce with roasted peppers and eggplant paired perrfectly with a San Angelo Pinot Grigio and Kraftig Light. The third course was beyond words incredible! A pairing of two rolled veals, served with Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino. And as a perfect end to a fun and fantastic week, assorted biscotti, nuts and chocolate cannolis served family-style was paired with a sweet and sparkling Rosa Regale.
And as the Joe Mancuso Duo sang on into the night, the winners of the tabletop competition were announced—K Taylor Interior Design took first place for the best tabletop of the evening! The donations received through the live auction and raffle set us well past the fundraising goal of $25,000 for Food Outreach. St. Louis Magazine was able to raise a grand total of $29,000 for Food Outreach!! A special thanks goes out to all the generous diners at Food Wine Design 2013. Checkout St. Louis Magazine's party pics to see the grand finale night for yourself!
