Thursday, September 4

NACE Tabletop Competition 2008



Tonight, my employer, Mel Day of Dogwood Tree Florals took me to the National Association of Catering Executives annual event - the Top of the Table Competition - with funds raised to benefit the Food Shuttle. I am too tired to post much, but I'll show you some of the foods I ate.

It was held in the old American Tobacco warehouse in Durham, NC, in Bay 7. What a great place for a special event! It has been extensively remodeled, but retains the flavor of the original purpose of the buildings. They do wedding receptions there also.


Creme puffs, cannoli, eclairs, and you name it - if it was chocolate - they had it!


Cheese tarts (to die for) with baby salad greens and a great herbed bread.


Salmon on a bamboo skewer - and they also had chicken satay - yummy!


A partially scavenged tray of bruschetta with bacon. There were also many passed hors d'oeuvres, such as pimento cheese tarts with apple wedges, miniature turkey pot pies (excellent), and Shrimp and grits (which I cannot live without). It was a feast for the eyes, for the belly and for the soul. Tomorrow, I'll begin to show you some of the tables that were entered into the competition. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

18 comments:

JeanMac said...

Mercy, that looks wonderful!

Pat said...

I LOVE bruschetta! And all the rest. You may be tired but I'll bet you're satisfied.

Anonymous said...

I'm reading this as lunchtime approaches. Wish I could eat the pictures!

Granny Annie said...

YUM! How wonderful that must have been. What is the Food Shuttle and does it deliver this great stuff?

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Yum. Now, I get to wander into my kitchen and scrounge some leftovers to make lunch.

Beverly said...

Oh, that looks s-o-o-o good! Yummy. How nice of your employer to take you.

sage said...

Okay, it's time for lunch! That looks great.

Bear Naked said...

I am seriously drooling here.
Diet--what diet?

Bear((( )))

Darlene said...

I gained ten pounds just drooling over the chocolate pastries.

Everything looks so enticing that I envy you the experience. Now I'm hungry and will head toward the kitchen. See how influential you are?

Gary ("Old Dude") said...

I must remind myself to NOT read your posts three hours before meal time----it makes for an agonizing lenghthy period of gnawing need for foods. Were the salmon on skewers cooked with the skewers in place or were they inserted later? they sure look darn good. mmmmph.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh My all of thiese things look absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS! My mouth is watering just looking at it all...I am a BIG fan of Brushetta, especially if it is authentic....As in: Really Italian...lol!
What is the purpose of The Food Shuttle? Is it for Caterers to show their wares? Whatever it is Judy, I wish I could have gone with you!

Ginnie said...

Darn you, Judy...I just swore off sugar 3 days ago but I don't know if I could have resisted!
I was glad to see the other really healthy food and I'll bet you had a grand time.

rosemary said...

it all looks delish! When we were in Italy we really enjoyed bruschetta....but the Italians are purists and bacon on top is a no-no. we were scolded for asking for anchovies!!

tiff said...

Judy - I would hereby like to tender my application to be a floral designer with Mel.

The fact that I have no talent for it is meaningless. I would SO enjoy the glitz!

:)

Anonymous said...

Oh, that is soooooo unfair of you to show those pictures. Now I want more food, and it's after 10 pm!

Anonymous said...

Judy, The memories that you brought back to me when you mentioned where the Tabletop Competition took place!

I can still hear that auctioneer on the radio saying," This is Mr.L.A."Speed" Riggs" and I've got 30-40-50-60 bundles, and after a lot of chanting of bids and numbers flying through the air ,you would hear that sing song.....Sold AMERICAN.

At that point my Dad would light up another Lucky Strike, content in the knowledge that he was smoking the very best because he was smoking American Tobacco, always the highest bidder....

Thanks for the Memories!

Moon said...

OMG I loved all the pics above, but now I am starving!!!

Joy Des Jardins said...

This all looks TOOOOOO wonderful.....YUMMY!!!!