The Crowd

B.W. Cook

On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being best, let’s review one of the major

social, charitable and cultural events on the circuit: Art of Dining

2000, benefiting the Orange County Museum of Art, Newport Beach.

Preevent party at the museum: 8

Major underwriter Chase Global Private Bank and Chase H and Q joined

forces with local patrons to host the preevent reception, which began at

4:30 p.m.

The museum was furnished for the reception with handsome groupings of

upholstered sofas and chairs positioned throughout the gallery reception

space to create the intimacy of a personal residence. Caviar was passed

and martini bars were a hit.

However, the reception lacked energy. Guests just milled around chatting

until the crowd was introduced to special honorees, including renowned

Los Angeles-based artist Peter Alexander.

Speeches were humorous and brief, always a blessing.

Overall dinner theme and presentation at The Four Seasons hotel: 9

Art of Dining is surely one of the premier events on the social roster.

It has established itself as both a high watermark of good taste and

confab of the culturally tuned in.

The event also raises major money for the museum. This year, more than

$500,000 will go to assist the museum’s education and exhibition

programs.

The dining room was once again transformed into a visual delight for the

some 300 patrons of the arts who filled the ballroom with their presence.

Food: 10

Many patrons expressed their pleasure that the food served at this year’s

ball was the best it has ever been. Rather than taking the California

nouvelle route, organizers selected a contemporary Western theme to

complement the theme of the ball, which honored Joan Irvine Smith and her

passion for California plein-air impressionism.

Crab with avocado was followed by asparagus with mesquite-grilled quail,

then herb-crusted gulf coast shrimp, beef tenderloin in molasses and

smoked bacon. And for dessert, a prickly pear cactus fruit mousse with

lime tequila. Participating chefs preparing each course included

Berhard Muller, Michel Pieton, Elmar Prambs, Dean Fearing and Sheldon

Millet, representing various Four Seasons properties throughout the

western United States.

Tributes: 8

Irvine Smith and Alexander, both individuals of tremendous influence in

their own way and their own right, were gracious and understated in their

acceptance of the Art of Dining honors. The reception of the guests of

honor was classy but not particularly warm and inspiring, as it has been

in year’s past.

Chair: 10

Elizabeth Tierney, one of the very well-liked and admired women in the

community, did a fine job of orchestrating a very complex and difficult

task of bringing together diverse community elements to produce a

successful event. She looked stunning in a bare-shouldered gown of peach,

purple and celadon-colored floral fabric that hung to the floor amid a

sea of women in black gowns.

Best Dressed: Suki McCardle: 10

Suki is always among the best dressed in Newport-Mesa. For Art of Dining

she wore an Oriental silk robe that was both artistic and elegant.

Best Dressed runner-up: Alison Frenzel: 10

Alison is a major museum supporter. She is a roll-up-the sleeves,

pitch-in-and-get-it-done kind of person who, from both a financial and

participatory position, has made a real difference for the museum.

For Art of Dining 2000, she looked like royalty in a burgundy silk suit

that was feminine with its ruffled border and very chic, accented with

large South Sea pearls.

Sponsors: 10

The Four Season Hotels, Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center, Montblanc

Boutique at South Coast Plaza, Delta Airlines, Mozzafarian Jewelry and

Chase Global Private Bank/Chase H and Q were responsible for a generous

$75,000 donation, and made Art of Dining possible.

The Crowd: 10 The best and the brightest supported the affair.

In the crowd were Charles and Twyla Martin, Zee Allred, Richard and

Lynette Berg, Alex and Barbara Bowie, Ralph and Carol Cicerone, Sydney

and Renee DuPont, Robert and Carol Follman, Bob and Marie Gray, Gene and

Pat Hancock, Jerry and Maralou Harrington, Roger and Gail Kirwan, Gil and

Victoria LeVasseur, Mike and Nancy Meyer, Pat and Carl Neisser, Malcolm

and Pam Paul, Tom and Joan Riach, Allen and Pat Rypinski, John and Debbie

Sclafani, Tom Rogers and Betty Mower, Morton Smith, James and Madeline

Swinden, Tom Tierney, George and Nancy Wall, Blair and Tom Box and Rick

and Jennifer Van Berg.B.W. COOK’S column appears Thursdays and Saturdays.