The All-Star gala, presented by SunTrust Bank, drew a crowd of National Football League and Major League Baseball players such as Wade Boggs, Tino Martinez, Deion Sanders and many other jocks, itching to get personal with their fans. "This is more than meeting a celebrity and just getting an autograph," said Lisa DeBartolo, the oldest of three DeBartolo daughters. "It's a chance for guests to mingle and spend time with the celebrities and get to know them." Providing that experience was the hour spent in the grand entry foyer sipping drinks and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres catered by Á La Carte's on-premise culinary team. To heighten the personal experience, the Pavilion's breakout room was converted into a mod lounge furnished with a leopard chaise, club chairs and plenty of pink lamé. There, another bar quenched the crowd while an auction filled with unique sports items—autographed and donated by the star athletes and their teams—was available for bidding.
After the cocktail hour, the social set—guests who paid $250 a ticket or $5,000 for a table of eight which included a celebrity guest—were ushered into the 13,000-square-foot salon for dinner. Round and rectangular tables were covered in metallic lamé and fuzzy, textured linens supplied by Linens With Panache, BBJ Linens and Connie Duglin Linens. Topping some tables and suspended by wire over others were orbs of flowers designed by in-house florist Pavilion Flowers. During this time, the DeBartolo family welcomed Gen. Tommy Franks, retired commander in chief of U.S. Central Command, as the evening's keynote speaker.
Although the media and press were asked to leave before dinner began, we hear that guests nibbled on individually served mini bread bowls filled with baby romaine and goat cheese, feasted upon medallions of beef tenderloin, stacked lobster and shrimp ravioli and scarfed down divine Southern praline tortes with chocolate ganache and coffee butter cream all served by Á La Carte. Also heard was that the dining experience featured innovative entertainment provided by 70's disco band Grooveline. Getting down on a pink vinyl dance floor created by Showorks, guests and celebrities digested both dinner and the evening's highlights, culminating in fun for all.
