This week's lineup includes interactive artwork at a gala in Chicago, roving sea gods at a Los Angeles benefit, foggy Scottish cocktails in Miami, and a sand-sculpting activity for corporate groups.
Chicago celebrated the opening of the 606, a public, elevated trail along a former railway, with a gala June 5 that paid homage to the host city. Artist Shala created a piece of original artwork at the event, which sold for $8,000 at the live auction. The artist encouraged guests to participate in the creation of the piece by having them sign their names on it.
At night, lighting from Sound Investment was meant to evoke a sunset with hues of yellow, orange, and red.
Janina O’Leary, executive pastry chef at LaV Restaurant & Wine Bar in Austin, Texas, created a "Wonderland" theme dessert table for Austin Food & Wine Festival's "Sips and Sweets" event in April. Hanging over the sweets table was a marshmallow chandelier of forks holding marshmallows. Staffers cut down individual marshmallows for guests, who put them into chocolate teacups filled with homemade rhubarb jam.
Limelight Catering in Chicago recently created miniature Baked Alaska desserts for a "Fire and Ice" theme event in Chicago. The "flamed-to-order" desserts comprised stacked strawberry ice cream and dark chocolate cake wrapped with toasted meringue.
Heal the Bay hosted its annual fund-raising gala on June 4 in Los Angeles. About 1,000 guests dined at tables with ocean-inspired design.
Roving performers in fanciful sea-god costumes interacted with attendees.
This year’s Ardbeg Day, an annual promotion for the Scottish whiskey brand, came to Miami on May 31. Bartenders used a device called a Haar machine to add an extra smoky flavor to cocktails. The high-tech carafe, developed for Ardbeg, uses sound waves to turn whiskey into vapor, or mist, without heating it. In addition to the visual effect, the smokiness reflects the foggy atmosphere of Islay, the Scottish island where Ardbeg is made.
Local artist Juan Rozas entertained guests by painting “Ardie the Robot,” a character he created for the event.
The Bite Silicon Valley conference, a first-time event, took place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, from June 5 to 7. At the Grand Tasting event, guests sampled snacks from local chefs and restaurants. The Slanted Door, for example, served coconut rice pudding with mango gelée and shiso (an Asian culinary herb).
The sand-sculpting teambuilding option from Sand Lovers offers fun in the sun for employee outings. The Florida-based company organizes teams of any size, helping them to create and execute a plan to build a sand sculpture, such as a corporate logo.
