Rendezvous: Vol 3: Issue 14, April 20, 2011

Rendezvous

Volume 3, Issue 14, April 20, 2011

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Total Health

Behind the Brand

Loudoun Free Clinic benefits from

Chefs Collaborative gourmet dinner

To benefit the Loudoun Free Clinic, the Loudoun Chefs Collaborative, a group of philanthropic-minded chefs and the restaurants they represent, prepared and served a gourmet dinner for more than 45 appreciative guests on Sunday, March 13. The five-course meal, complete with selected wine pairings from InSitu and Alma de Chile, was held at Tuscarora Mill restaurant in Leesburg.

"On behalf of the Loudoun Free Clinic, we are grateful to the Chefs Collaborative and the owners of the restaurants they represent for selecting the clinic as the beneficiary of this absolutely delicious event," said clinic Executive Director Jennifer Kitrel. She noted that the chefs' and diners' generosity netted the clinic $6,300 from the festive evening. For more information, visit www.loudounfreeclinic.org.

Founded in November 2009 by Beverly Morton Billand, owner of The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm in Lovettsville, the Loudoun Chefs Collaborative began as an idea for local chefs and farms to give back to the community. Although the original concept was hers, Beverly commented, "It's been taken over by the chefs, who have done an incredible job of collaborating to make this happen." This dinner was the fourth event sponsored by the Loudoun Chefs Collaborative to support Loudoun-based charitable organizations.

A menu and information about the Loudoun Free Clinic awaited guests at their tables.

Angie McCloud, wife of Chef Aaron McCloud, Bob Rupy, owner of Bluemont Vineyard in Bluemont, and Erik Flood enjoyed the festive pre-dinner atmosphere, paired with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc from Alma de Chile.

Chatting before dinner were Lori Brown, AVP, Case Management, Inova Health System, and her husband, Dave; Jami McClellan, wife of Robert Hager, AVP, Long Term Care, Inova Health System; and Ashley Hunnicutt, senior director, Inova Real Estate Services and Free Clinic Board vice-chair.

Getting to know each other over pre-dinner conversation and wine were, from left, Inova Departnment of Pathology physicians Kathleen Ammann, MD, FACP; Dervila Jonas, MD, FACP, Chair of Inova Loudoun's Department of Pathology and Director of Clinical Laboratories; and Nahla Acoury, MD, FACP, talking with Glen dePedro and Silvia Espinosa, Loudoun Free Clinic patients. The clinic and South Street Under collaborated to line up donations to underwrite the couple's dinner tickets.

Beverly Morton Billand, owner of Patowmack Farm, speaks about the Loudoun Chefs Collaborative initiative, which she founded, and introduces the participating chefs. Background, from left, Chef Patrick Dinh, Tuscarora Mill; Chef Chris Edwards, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm; Chef Aaron McCloud, Vintage Restaurant Group; Chef Mark Marrocco, Magnolia's at the Mill (in white chef's coat). Professional restaurant staff who contributed to the evening also look on.

Glen dePedro and Silvia Espinosa, Free Clinic patients, listen to the evening's opening remarks with Tom Cogan of Meltzer Group Benefits. In the background are Tom Dunlap of Dunlap, Grubb & Weaver and a Free Clinic board member, and Dana Huggins of Loudoun Cares, along with her husband, Dave.

Dinner began with elegant and delectable hors d'oeuvres: cognac-soaked prune stuffed with foie gras, duck breast croustade with tomato jam and micro arugula, white bean hummus with cumin flat breads, paired with Alma de Chile Sauvignon Blanc 2009.

Overseeing production of the first course are Chef Chris Edwards, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, and Chef Aaron McCloud, Vintage Restaurant Group.

Chef Chris Edwards puts the finishing touches on his first course of chilled buckwheat noodles with preserved winter radish, Bartlett pears, and garlic-mustard broth.

Chefs Chris Edwards, Mark Marrocco, Patrick Dinh, and volunteer culinary staff prepare Chef Aaron's creation of seared Hawaiian hamachi (tuna) with a salad of pickled fennel and onions, Himalayan red rice, and guava "tea."

Executive Chef Patrick Dinh of Tuscarora Mill slices smoked and seared Snake River Farms Kobe beef, to be plated with sweet potato polenta, red currant jus, almonds and Stilton. The dinner concluded with a hazelnut-gianduia dacquoise prepared specially for the evening by Sue Porter of South Street Under.

Happy with the evening's success are Chef Patrick Dinh, Loudoun Free Clinic Executive Director Jennifer Kitrel, and Chefs Chris Edwards, Aaron McCloud and Mark Marrocco.

LBHN's Spring Fling!

The Loudoun Breast Health Network (LBHN) held its First Annual Spring Fling! fundraiser March 20 at the Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club in Leesburg. The event was designed to kick off the LBHN's capital campaign for its Pink Assistance Fund, which assists Loudoun women with some of the additional costs resulting from breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as purchasing prostheses, help with rent/house payments, food, gas and other sustainment items.

For more information about LBHN, check out its website at www.lbhn.org.

The setup crew, including committee member Rosemary Fontaine, kicked things off by working hard to get the wine, cheese and fruit prepared.

From left, hostesses Gerri Hill and Susan Mills greeted guests Ugenia Tsistsifas, Happy Caldon and Pam Cramer.

Event sponsor Kohl's has a corporate policy of giving back to the community by volunteering at events for non-profits that benefit children and families. Helping the event to run smoothly, the Kohl's crew included, from left to right, Greg Wittrup, Luis Bonilla, Sue Panasethand, Christie Edwards, MaryAnn Scott, Annette Miller, Amanda Weatherholt, Aleksandra Beganovic and Fadia Mehenni.

From left, Lori Legg, Janet Colby and Cindy Edmonson rushed to buy raffle tickets so they would be the first to see the beautiful baskets that served as prizes.

Kohl's employees Aleksandra Beganovic and Luis Bonilla sold raffle tickets.

The youngest attendee, Emerson, age 5, and mom, Julia, started off the raffle basket frenzy! There were eight baskets filled with such delightful treats as wine and more wine, a massage and relaxation package, restaurant certificates, and a complete art supply.

Janet Colby, Theresa Wilson and Cindy Edmonson spent time socializing while tasting the various wines, cheeses, fruits and sweets. All guests received an LBHN signature wine glass etched in (of course) pink lettering!

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From left, Jane Ross, Gerri Hill and Joy Griffith smile along with event co-organizers Joan McGorry and Peggy Fera

LBHN Board President Renelda Peldunas-Harter gave a few remarks about the evolution of LBHN's fundraising activities and the creation of the Pink Assistance Fund.

The ladies of the LBHN Board felt it fitting that the "Grand Prize" raffle basket went to Debra Goodwin. Debra, a member of the United Methodist Women of Mt. Zion Methodist Church of Leesburg, was the driving force behind a quilt donated to LBHN. This quilt will be raffled off at Loudoun Breast Health Network's Pink Walk at Loudoun County High School on April 30.

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