Sea + Farm + Table Celebration

A Look Back. A Look Forward.

By Lisa M. Burwell | Photography by Carlo Pieroni

Sometimes in life, you have to look back and reflect on all the blessings you’ve had over the years in order to walk in continued gratitude. Creating and sharing memories with friends and loved ones is what life is all about. So, we are incredibly thankful as we marvel at the memories of VIE hosting the Sea + Farm + Table harvest dinner on February 15, 2013, at Arnett’s Gulfside Stables in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

The stables played backdrop to our 2013 Food & Fashion Issue cover photo shoot, which began with a 6:00 a.m. call time and lasted until 5:00 p.m., leaving just enough time for our team to run home and change before returning to attend the big dinner party. Legendary international photographer Carlo Pieroni captured the images that day, including the one of our cover model, the dark-haired beauty Darby Kilpatrick. To this day, it is one of our favorite covers.

The vast equestrian center at Arnett’s was transformed into a rustic yet intimate dining room, with long oak tables and other furnishings from Smith’s Antiques in Destin setting the scene. Decor and flowers expertly styled by Cari DeGregorio of the Central Idea Agency brought VIE’s vision to life, and custom menu art designed by Justin Lyons added another layer, so no detail was spared. Local favorite band Dread Clampitt provided lively entertainment as guests—including a few celebrities such as Emeril and Alden Lagasse— mingled and enjoyed wine, French 75 cocktails, freshly shucked oysters, and other hors d’oeuvres before the main event.

Members of the VIE team: Darby Kilpatrick, Lisa and Gerald Burwell, Ainsley Rogers, Romona Robbins, Scott Sajowitz, Tracey Thomas, Mary Jane Kirby, and Jordan Staggs

Chef Emeril and Alden Lagasse

Dread Clampitt performs

Chef Phil McDonald, Angela Ragsdale, Gayle Schoettle, and George Barnes

Guests toast around the table

Susan Benton, Madra McDonald, and Mike and Angela Ragsdale

Jordan Staggs and Scott Sajowitz

Darby Kilpatrick and Kyle Lage model for the 2013 Food & Fashion Issue cover shoot

Tracey Thomas and Brooke Miller

Chef Phil McDonald, formerly of Table Five Private Chef + Catering (now known for his work as the co-owner and chef at Black Bear Bread Co. in Grayton Beach alongside his business partner, Dave Rauschkolb of Bud & Alley’s fame), prepared an amazing dinner. Courses included a Dragonfly Fields arugula salad, wood-grilled red snapper, and homemade buttermilk biscuits topped with Plant City strawberries, fresh vanilla whipped cream, and pecans. Flavors popped with wines paired by Krutz Family Cellars, and each course blended perfectly with the next. Winery owner Bryan Krutz and his wife, Cindy, were among the esteemed guests around the table; they shared their vino expertise as friends and family enjoyed an evening of breaking bread.

The vast equestrian center at Arnett’s was transformed into a rustic yet intimate dining room, with long oak tables and other furnishings from Smith’s Antiques in Destin setting the scene.

We have decided to reprise this event this year, so stay tuned for details. You don’t want to miss this evening of great food and culinary conversation!

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