The 2007 Gourmet Feastival, the annual fund-raiser benefiting the Centre for Women in Tampa, was so well attended that the event plan for the 17th annual event on August 28 included an expansion in venue space. Once again held at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, this time the silent auction was housed in Ferguson Hall while the tasting portion of the event remained in Carol Morsani Hall, which also provided a smoother flow of traffic among the evening's nearly 1,400 attendees.
The decor inside the tasting area was focused around the chocolate brown of the new event logo designed by Allen Harris Advertising & Design Inc. Grand Events of Florida LLC created a special V.I.P. lounge area with a round bed covered with chocolate brown spandex, champagne ottomans, and white acrylic tables while spandex-covered highboys topped with amber-toned glass candle holders were placed throughout the venue.
The tasting hall was section off into separate exhibiting spaces courtesy once again of Exhibit Services Inc. Thirty participating Tampa Bay restaurants, caterers, wineries, and additional beverage vendors participated including All Events Catering at Harris Hall, Toffee To Go, Grillsmith, and ABC Fine Wine and Spirits.
Video screens from Portable Golf Solutions displayed sponsor logos while three classical guitarists provided by Joe Braccio entertained throughout the venue.
Though final numbers weren't available at press time, this year's Feastival is expected to raise approximately $100,000.
