This year, Ft. Lauderdale's annual Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation benefit to help raise money feed the hungry was not only a feast for the taste buds, but also for the eyes. Approximately 1,600 guests were treated to the delicious dishes prepared by more than 65 of Broward and Palm Beach County's prominent restaurants, bakeries and gourmet markets as well as numerous wine and champagne tastings, all in a sexy setting that was alive with color.Kelly Murphy of Panache Party Rentals took the lead role as event chair and planner, working with a committee of more than 25 other people. In her 12th year of involvement with the charitable event, Murphy designed a concept to truly make guests sit down and take notice. The big, empty convention center room became electric with the influx of colorful décor. "It's a true grassroots event," she said, "but we tried to push the envelope."
All too often, tasting events do not have adequate seating, forcing guests to eat on the run—but not here. Supplied by Panache, seating areas were abundant. "We listened to what people wanted," Murphy said. "We tried to make it guest-friendly by putting in plenty of seating and tables. There were more than 400 seats."
In the main event space, tables were dressed in tangerine and .phpberry cloth and spandex; Chiavari chairs and bar stools coordinated. In the V.I.P. section, tangerine, .phpberry and lime green lounges from Nuage Design were flanked by tables draped with a variety of smartly patterned cloths. Designs by Sean provided sheer white screens and red velvet ropes to keep the area exclusive.
Greenery, thanks to Jeren Foliage, helped to bring life to the room. Beautiful centerpieces from Atlas Floral adorned guest tables, adding an additional layer of aesthetic beauty, as hungry guests sat and ate plates of nicely presented food. MSE Events' musicians performed continuously, offering enertainment for attendees who needed some digestion time. Striped, primary-colored draping was illuminated by Frost Lighting's gobo lights, which featured sponsors and suppliers' names. Add in rows of silent auction items, a stage for the live auction and individual food stations that mirrored each restaurant's style and flavor, and there's a lot to digest.
—Shari Lynn Rothstein
All too often, tasting events do not have adequate seating, forcing guests to eat on the run—but not here. Supplied by Panache, seating areas were abundant. "We listened to what people wanted," Murphy said. "We tried to make it guest-friendly by putting in plenty of seating and tables. There were more than 400 seats."
In the main event space, tables were dressed in tangerine and .phpberry cloth and spandex; Chiavari chairs and bar stools coordinated. In the V.I.P. section, tangerine, .phpberry and lime green lounges from Nuage Design were flanked by tables draped with a variety of smartly patterned cloths. Designs by Sean provided sheer white screens and red velvet ropes to keep the area exclusive.
Greenery, thanks to Jeren Foliage, helped to bring life to the room. Beautiful centerpieces from Atlas Floral adorned guest tables, adding an additional layer of aesthetic beauty, as hungry guests sat and ate plates of nicely presented food. MSE Events' musicians performed continuously, offering enertainment for attendees who needed some digestion time. Striped, primary-colored draping was illuminated by Frost Lighting's gobo lights, which featured sponsors and suppliers' names. Add in rows of silent auction items, a stage for the live auction and individual food stations that mirrored each restaurant's style and flavor, and there's a lot to digest.
—Shari Lynn Rothstein
The V.I.P. lounge area of the Ft. Lauderdale Taste of the Nation benefit at the Broward County Convention Center offered exclusivity and style to special guests.
Raspberry and tangerine spandex-covered chairs provided a colorful, comfortable place to eat.
Bar stools and tables wore colorful linens at the Ft. Lauderdale Taste of the Nation benefit.
Raspberry-colored linens helped to draw attention to the numerous silent auction items.
