Duckhorn Dinner Draws Praise from Attendees

Raise a glass to an evening of haute cuisine, fine wine and the fellowship for which The Sharon at SouthPark is known.

Quarterly Chef Tastings Planned

Here’s another reason to celebrate: There are plans to host quarterly chef tastings similar to the June 27 gathering that featured five courses and six wines from Napa Valley. “Premium” is how Director of Culinary Services Chad Lauderbaugh describes these events, and with good reason. A petite filet with a smoked blue cheese crust and mushroom demi glaze anchored the chef tasting at Allison’s. The wine pairing? A Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (2019).

Rave Reviews for the Duckhorn Dinner

This special event drew five-star reviews.

“The food was wonderful and beautifully presented,” resident Carol Young said. “The wine was delightful and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”
Martha Groblewski and Harry Creamers, future residents of The Deerwood, echoed the praise: “The food was fabulous, the wine was spectacular and the service was impeccable. We look forward to more events like it.”

A full house of 32 residents, including several like Martha and Harry who will soon call The Deerwood home, attended the chef tasting and wine pairing. Bottles were for sale after dinner. Chad said knowing what residents enjoyed will help the staff beef up the wine selection in the dining room and Wolfe Lounge.

Duckhorn’s Nicole Perperas, who spoke about each wine during the dinner, was impressed by her first visit to The Sharon at SouthPark. “It was an absolutely wonderful night,” she said. “It felt intimate. Very warm and inviting.”

“Team Effort” Produces Satisfying Results

“Duckhorn Dinner at Allison’s” was a team effort. Chef Brady Lutz and Executive Sous Chef Idris Muhammad cooked and plated the meal (check out the menu and photos). Pastry Chef Kelli Watkins whipped up a fig Napolean. Culinary Services Manager Lyndsey Stevenson helped oversee service and took photographs. The entire kitchen and wait staff made it go like clockwork.
“Putting on this event was a challenge but it was also something that we felt that people responded to really well,” Chad said. “It was a good neighborhood deal, a good coming together. It was what we want our hospitality program to be known for.”

Chef Tastings Enrich Life at The Sharon at SouthPark

Chad anticipates putting on tastings every three months, changing up the menu and bringing in more main-label wines. One evening, Chefs Brady and Idris might offer their take on a main dish, duck perhaps, each recipe paired with just the right wine. “Two masters of the kitchen showing their best for the residents,” Chad said.

Beyond satisfying palates, the goal is to enrich life at The Sharon at SouthPark.

“We know that if we put together a premium event, people are going to respond to it,” Chad said. “It gives us a lot of excitement that we’re one of the few if only communities doing something like this.”