A New Hands–On Feast for UCP of the Mid–South

The 500 guests who attended UCP of the Mid-South's "3 Course Feast" on January 25^th, 2009 not only had the chance to taste food from Memphis' top 20 chefs, but also has the opportunity to watch and learn how these culinary experts create their signature dishes. This year, the annual fundraiser, formerly known as the "Great Chef's Tasting," incorporated a host, John Bragg of Circa, a new Memphis venue, and a more hands-on approach, including everything from center stage demos to wine and beer pairings. Chefs also met and mingled with guests and prepared food for all their tastings on site.

At the end of the evening, and as the new name implies, awards were given to the chefs that prepared the best three courses – appetizer, entrée, and dessert. The winners were decided by votes cast throughout the evening by attendees. David Krog from the Tennessean won Best Appetizer for his Lobster Lollipops and Giacomo Ciabattini from Café Toscana won both best entrée and dessert for his sausage-stuffed pork tenderloin and his spumoni ice cream concoctions.

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In its first year, the "3 Course Feast" was a true success, raising $25,000 for UCP of the Mid-South. It was also an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the local chefs who give their time and resources to so many nonprofits throughout the city.

Jordyn Matthews, Development Associate of Special Events and Marketing, was grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the community during the evening. "[The event] put UCP back on the map as an organization that continues to reinvent and develop programs and services to meet the needs of the community."

For more information, contact Jordyn Matthews at (901) 761-4277 or visit the UCP of the Mid-South Web site.