Perf. Arts Series Benefit Dinner

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Miami University Performing Arts Series Benefit Dinner

This $250 per plate benefit dinner for the Miami University Performing Arts Series was held at the home of President and Mrs. Garland on Saturday evening, April 23, for twenty-four friends of the Series. Preparation for the dinner took several months, with volunteers organized into teams specializing in menu planning, wine selection, flowers and table decorations, menus and invitiations, beverage service, table service, and bussing.

Chef Michael Bachem

Chef Bill McKenna, showing off his freshly cut lobster
Chef William McKenna

Servers Richard Norman, Jim Garland, and Ron Crutcher, awaiting guests
Servers Richard, Norman, Jim Garland, and Ron Crutcher

Here's the serving team after the dinner, thinking about their sore feet

Bobbi Norman was a big hit with her tray of caviar

Bill McKenna, Nadja Hofmann, and Michael Bachem consulting on a menu fine point

Servers sneaking a few tibits in the kitchen between courses

Here's the happy crew, celebrating the dinner's end with a glass of Dom Perignon '90

And last but not least . . Very Special Thanks to sponsors Fritzi Beckett, Harry Wilks, and Joanie and "Jungle Jim" Bonaminio. We are indebted to wine and food afficionados extraordinaire Joyce and Gil Gordon and Bernie Bubnis for sharing some of their exceptional vintages with us, to Steve Friede of The Alexander House for expert guidance, and to the very gracious Renee Koerner of the Maisonette Restaurant for her advice and patient counsel to the serving team. The table settings and decor benefited from the creative touches of K.E. Smith and Verda Ozden, and the menu design from the steady hand of calligrapher Joyce Gordon. The musical talents of the Kahlua String Trio and harpist Shelley Johnson added greatly to the evening. The behind-the-scenes assistance of Nadja Hofmann and Dana Bonaminio is also gratefully acknowledged.

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