It’s a tale as old as time: good food in elegant spaces. For week three of the Camp North End Next Plate series, we transformed their space into a scene that looked straight out of Beauty and the Beast, and the food was as delicious as it was elegant.
Not sure what the Next Plate series is? Read our recap of week one for all of the details. Click here.
Now that you’re all caught up, let’s dive into the third Next Plate dinner we had on March 27. We had the honor of working with Chef Bruce Moffett, executive chef at Moffett Restaurant Group, and Chef Alyssa, the executive chef and owner of Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen, to create a classic Italian meal that matched the décor as well as the beautiful performances from Opera Carolina, our featured artist.
“It was really kind of fun to pair this artsy feel at Camp North End with the opera and with cooking,” Bruce said.
He and Alyssa worked together to create what they believe the perfect Italian meal is, and then made sure it also paired well with the entertainment for the evening.
Two singers from Opera Carolina performed for a sold-out group of 40 people. Each chose their own songs and finished the evening by performing together.
The opera singing, the luscious meal and the red and gold décor worked together to transport guests to a whole new state. It was an incredible experience.
“Opera is this time traveling event where for three hours you are in a different dimension, and it’s creating those kind of spaces that makes opera so revolutionary,” said Megan Miller, marketing director for Opera Carolina.
While listening to the performers, diners enjoyed a four-course, traditional Italian meal plus dessert:
Antipasta: Eggplant caponata, ricotta cheese, taleggio cheese, sliced charcuterie, truffled cauliflower, focaccia bread
Primo: Gnocchi
Second: Porchetta
Contorno: Grilled broccolini and polenta
Dolce: Opera cake with hazelnut buttercream and sambuca soaked strawberries
“We sat down and went through what our perfect Italian meal would be and came up with something I thought would complement the music tonight,” Bruce said.
Bruce and Alyssa’s strategy worked perfectly - everything complemented each other wonderfully and our guests had such a wonderful time.
I think Xela Pinkerton, customer service manager and a resident artist with Opera Carolina, summed up our goal for the evening perfectly:
“I would like guests to leave with a sense of inspiration for what they can be and for what they can help Charlotte become,” she said.
I think we can consider the goal accomplished!
Photos by Remy Thurston
Comments will be approved before showing up.
