Pastries, Chocolates, Lavender, and Thyme
The 2022 Gaston LeNôtre Foundation gala, A Night in Provence, was a feast for the eyes and palate
The Celebration
On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the River Oaks Country Club welcomed 250 enthusiastic guests to the 2022 Gaston LeNôtre Foundation gala, A Night in Provence. Chaired by Allison and Tucker Knight and cochaired by Christine and Jeff Hollinden, the successful event raised the landmark sum of $350,000 to benefit the Gaston LeNôtre Scholarship Foundation. The foundation awards scholarships to deserving Culinary Institute LeNôtre students based on financial need and professional merit. Jean Luc Royere, chief executive chef at the Post Oak Hotel, was this year’s honorary chef.
The Story
A culinary arts enthusiast’s dream, the evening gave participants the opportunity to mingle with Culinary Institute LeNôtre chefs and students. Sipping on Champagne and Provence rosé, guests also enjoyed signature appetizers prepared by personal chefs Thiago Quirino, Fred Collier, Jonathan Penright, Kevin Avery, and Sherwin Laday, all graduates of Culinary Institute LeNôtre. Adding to the fun were a live auction, a silent auction, and a wine pull. The venue’s sumptuous ballroom was transformed into a Provence landscape by Kirksey Gregg Events with tables draped in French linens and adorned with bouquets of lavender and thyme. To end the delightful evening, guests were treated to LeNôtre chocolates, macarons, and pastries.
The Moments
The winners of the live auction were Dawn and Mike Persia, Allison and Tucker Knight, Alli and Michael Casey, Jill and Andrew Wright, Sarah and Corby Chaffin, Mignon and Stephen Gill, and Connie Kwan-Wong. Altogether, the two auctions and the wine pull raised approximately $135,000.
Guests: French Consul General, Valérie Baraban and spouse Lionel Baraban; Connie Kwan-Wong; Shane and Dennis Steger; Chef Bryan Caswell and Erin Hicks; Teresa Reading; Dr. Diana Collins; Flora Choy; Alice Kwok; Rose Chen; Anna Reger; Tanaz Choudhury; Mignon and Steve Gill; Marcia and Brig Smart; Kate and Will Stukenberg; Culinary Institute LeNôtre President, Alain LeNôtre; and Gaston LeNôtre Foundation President, Marie LeNôtre.
About the Gaston LeNôtre Scholarship
The Gaston LeNôtre Scholarship is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which raises funds for tuition scholarships to provide hands-on training to deserving students aspiring to a rewarding career in the culinary arts. Tuition scholarships are awarded to students based on financial need as well as academic and professional merit. The Gaston LeNôtre Scholarship has awarded close to $1 million to deserving culinary students since 2001. Its worthy efforts support high quality education in the culinary arts and help students realize their dreams of achieving a rewarding career in the hospitality industry.