Photos By Regina Toops & Ivan Seligman
Elaine & Lou arrive at Cru
What a spectacular night! It encompassed all the things Gourmet Girl Magazine has come to represent. Cru was the place to be June 29th, 2008 for this high end party that gave to all those in attendance the true meaning behind this magazines's tag line, "Good Food, Good Wine and Good Living." This was the party of the summer of 2008 and if you were there, you know it. If you weren't, chances are you heard all about it!
The evening was made even more special by the attendance of our good friend Joshua Adam Garcia, A.K.A, Chef JAG, from The Next Foodnetwork Star and his lovely lady Layla, Amy Sedlacek from Fox 4 Rising and Chad Rufer and Gina Bridges from WINK 96.9 FM.
Brian, Lou, Elaine, Amy, Erin, Jag & Layla
Chef Roland, Chef JAG & Chef Mikklesen
Good Food was represented by an extrordinary culinary display put on by Gourmet Girl's stellar staff of chefs, Executive Chef Brian Roland, Executive Pastry Chef Paw Mikklesen and Master Chocolatier Ingo Wullaert. Elaine and I consider ourselves blessed to have such wonderful professionals on board with us here at the magazine. They raise the bar again and again and never fail to step up and create amazing offerings for you, our readers.
Thanks to Bob & Stacole Fine wines for representing the Good Wine portion of the evening & Good Living was represented by Van Gogh Vodka, BMW, the Smooth Jazz Victor Guittard from Jazz & Vine & DJ Daniel Jackson of Dansen Entertainment. elaine's hair was done by Patty from Indulgence salon and Makeup was provide by Aphrodie from MAC.
Billy Klar, Elaine, Dr. Nick Okeson & Lou Special thanks to our very dear friends down from Clearwater, Nick & Billy. The night would not have been fulfilled without you two!
All in all this was an event to remember. Our thanks go out to one and all who came out to support us. We look forward each month to bringing wonderful delights from the world of Gourmet Living and we hope to see you all again soon!
Lou, Brian, Elaine, Paw & Elizabeth
Gourmet Girl Magazine Launch Party Menu
Executive Chef Brian Roland Main Menu Poached Local Gulf Shrimp Minted Watermelon – Cucumber Gazpacho Shooter, Cucumber Blooms
Grilled Georgia Peaches Braised Veal Breast Cassis Caramel
Grilled Corn Cakes Cold Butter Poached Lobster & Watercress Salad, Tarragon Crème Fraiche
Dessert Executive Pastry Chef Paw Mikkelsen Key Lime Coconut Macaroon
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Cayenne Crusted Lamb Chops Cool Cilantro Yogurt, Hydro Mache Leaf
Roasted Foie Gras Toasted Brioche, Fig Gastrique Sauternes Macerated Berries
Assorted Cheeses from Around the World Quince Paste, Marcona Almonds, Dried Fruit, Flatbread Crackers & French Bread
Chocolates Master Chocolatier Ingo Wullaert Key Lime Truffles
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Launch Party Image Gallery
The multi-talented Victor Guittard
Mark & Denise from Gulf Shore Life
Klair & Roy Snellbaker, Jessica Hehir
David & Connie
Jennifer and Troy Arch
Chef Richie Willim works his magic
Chef Josh Zeman 'fires' it up
Getting 'Gourmet' with the Chefs
Regina Toops gets the shot |
Amy Sedlacek & Erin Vandeven
Mark & Susan Blust
Kenn & Lynn Murphy
Aggie Jansen & Elizabeth Mikkelsen
March of Dime's Norma Eveland & friend Luke Harrison
Jackie McCurdy & Pamela
The Lovely Ladies Of Cru
Elaine, with the Men of Cru; Mark, Robert & David
"Da place was Jammin, mon!" |
Whitney Sickels, Heath Hanson, GGM Webmaster Matt Sutkowski
Elaine with GGM writer Megan Diaz
Elaine with her favorite Chef