LITTLE ROCK — It wasn’t your typical fundraising tribute dinner and auction.
Well, there were silent and live auctions. But it was area chefs who shared top billing with the Citizen of the Year during the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction, held Nov. 9 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of the Statehouse Convention Center.
Dr. Richard Nugent was presented a glass plaque at the culmination of an evening during which guests sampled appetizers, entrees and desserts. Featured chefs were Timothy Mortonand Evette Brady of 1620 Restaurant; Charles Allen Jr. of Salut Bistro; John Beachboard of Za Za; Dan Capello of Chenal Country Club; Jeff Chandler of Bravo; Paul Clinton of Ya Ya’s Euro Bistro; Brian Deloney of Maddie’s Place; Cynthia East of Pulaski Technical College Arkansas Culinary School; Heidi Eppling of the Peabody Little Rock; Donnie Ferneau of Ferneau; Todd Gold of Purple Cow, also director of the Pulaski Technical College culinary school; Titus Holly of The Pantry; Sarah Montgomery of CiaoBaci; Capi Peck of Trio’s and Capi’s; Jacob Peck of Forty Two; Clay Sipes of Sonny Williams’ Steak Room; Marshall Smith of So Restaurant-Bar; Chris Tanner of Cheers in the Heights; and Len Thompson of Baptist Health. Among the live-auction items was a healthy smattering of dinners offered by the featured chefs and restaurants.
Kristine and John Baker, revenue co-chairmen for March of Dimes, welcomed attendees. Dr. Terrance Zuerlein, state March of Dimes board chairman, introduced Nugent and presented himwith the plaque.
Nugent is retired medical director of the Arkansas Department of Health, Section of Maternal and Child Health.
High Profile, Pages 46 on 11/21/2010