EVENT REPORT 08.30.07 2:22 PM Gourmet Feastival, a Collection of Treats
Tampa food and spirit vendors gather to raise money for the Centre for Women.
The Centre for Women's 16th annual Gourmet Feastival and Silent Auction offered up an extensive array of wine and food delicacies on August 23. The fund-raiser, held at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Carol Morsani Hall, is one of the organization's biggest annual events and was expected to raise more than $100,000.
Old-fashioned jazz nightclubs inspired the decor and entertainment provided by Grand Events of Florida LLC. Black and white were the chosen colors of the evening, with accents of red and gold throughout the reception area and lounges. The event's main tables, draped with black linens, were accented with bright red feather boas while tea candles in red glass decanters provided the finishing touch to the high-top tables. In the V.I.P. lounge, leopard-print booths were arranged facing each other with a cocktail table in between, covered in black linens and tied off with gold silk rope. Other areas of the hall had sheer matte gold draping on the walls, illuminated by Bay Stage Lighting's intelligent LED color fixtures. Jazz music piped throughout the room added to the ambience as guests mixed and mingled throughout the evening.
Red glass decanters set atop mirror rounds added an elegant touch of color to the black-and-white striped high-top tables. Bob Gaudreau of LTS LeaderBoard Golf Franchise
A colorful statue of a saxophonist set atop a rotating pedestal kept watch over Grand Event's black leather modular ottoman seating area situated beneath the main staircase. Corie Monahan of Grand Events of Florida LLC
Leopard-print booths placed opposite black linen-covered cocktail rounds provided intimate seating areas in the V.I.P. lounge. Corie Monahan of Grand Events of Florida LLC
Conversation nooks were created with platform loungers covered in black spandex set around plexiglass cube tables with gold matte sheer draping accenting the walls. Corie Monahan of Grand Events of Florida LLC
Maestro's Theatrical Cuisine's boardwalk-style sandwich baskets were inspired by the upcoming appearance of the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Bob Gaudreau of LTS LeaderBoard Golf Franchise
Complimentary pictures with Prince Charming and samples of 'Midnight Passion' fragrance were provided at the Christian Dior exhibit area. Bob Gaudreau of LTS LeaderBoard Golf Franchise
The Centre for Women was prominently recognized by volunteer staff dressed in black t-shirts that featured the organization's logo. Bob Gaudreau of LTS LeaderBoard Golf Franchise
Exhibit Services Inc. used black pipe and drape to define the area where food and wine vendors displayed their products. The hall's main floor featured appetizer and entree samples from local restaurants like NoHo Bistro, while a dessert lounge offered a variety of sweets from Creative Cuisine Gourmet Bakers, as well as premium coffee samples courtesy of Kahwa Coffee Roasting. Aspirations Winery and Fine Wine & Spirits Warehouse were also on hand with a selection of wines for guests to sample and enjoy.
To promote its new fragrance, "Midnight Poison," Christian Dior Perfumes had a model dressed as Prince Charming on hand to pose for photographs with guests. Representatives also passed out mini denim boxes with samples of the perfume and a gold tone logo charm.
Plasma screens, provided by LTS LeaderBoard Golf Franchise, were set up around the venue to display the event sponsors' logos, as well as updates on the silent auction.
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