The Kennedy Center’s Roof Terrace restaurant hosted a culinary preview on Thursday, March 29, to showcase the talents of its new team, including executive chef Tom Green and catering chef Joe Gurner. Waiters passed fruity, fizzy cocktails, and multiple food stations offered Nuevo Latino and Provençal cuisine. In another room, guests voted for their favorite of six tabletop designs, created by such D.C. notables as Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com and Jeff Dufour and Patrick Gavin, Yeas and Nays columnists for The Examiner. With so much to see and taste, we wondered what impressed guests the most.
Here’s what we heard:"This one ["Vert et Noir," a black and green table with flower-accented chairs designed by Neiman Marcus public relations director Patti Cumming and visual director Charles Osborne] and that one ["Sunset Soiree," a sunset-hued, umbrella-topped table designed by Catering by Windows' Chris Dunn] are my favorites. I think it's probably the height. You feel like you're not just at a table; you feel like you're [in] an environment."
—Grace Allen, program manager, Capitol City Events Inc.
"This table in the corner ["Organicism," green and white and adorned with dried chilies designed by food writer and television host Joan Nathan], I can't get my eyes off that one. [The] simplicity and the natural products-it speaks to me."
—Birte Codel, tour director and tour planner, Julian Tours
"Well, I haven't tried all of [the dishes] yet, but I really did like the scallops. The scallops are delicious. I'm waiting to hit that cheese table over there, because I love cheese."
—Melissa Sabine, event designer, Main Event Caterers
"It's so unique how this cheese table is set up. Who would think that jars of olives and nuts would be a centerpiece? The way they've got the candles, and then that grass, it's so natural and it's sophisticated."
—Diane Frazier, guest of event planner from Consolidated Safety Services Inc.
"I have to say the cheese table. I mean, it's fabulously laid out, they have the dried fruits, tapenades, they have lots of really interesting cheeses. It's all the display, it's all about presentation."
—Sally Karwowski, meeting and event administrator, National Alliance to End Homelessness
"The view [laughs]. The flower arrangements, the presentation is lovely."
—Judy Sandler, program manager, National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences
"The decor definitely stood out. ... I don't think there's one thing I loved more than the other, but the cheeses were great."
—Anonymous, marketing manager
Neiman Marcus's sleek \"Vert et Noir\" table.
Photo: Philip Greenberg
Catering by Windows’ John Dunne designed the“Sunset Soiree” table, which featured an umbrella of orchids, ivy, and vineshanging over the table’s tangerine linens and amber china.
Photo: Philip Greenberg
Joan Nathan’s bright “Organicism” display paidtribute to the organic movement with natural decor elements, such as red andgreen chilies adorning the chairs.
Photo: Philip Greenberg
Neiman Marcus’s sleek “Vert et Noir” tablefunctioned as a minimalist backdrop for an over-the-top meal.
Photo: Philip Greenberg
The event’s cheese buffet took on a naturallook, thanks to the live grass accents and the stone cutting boards.
Photo: Philip Greenberg
Six prominent Washington figures contributed table designs to the culinary preview at the Kennedy Center's Roof Terrace restaurant.
Photo: Philip Greenberg
