s ea + fa r m + ta b l e
Celebration A Look Back. A Look Forward. by Lisa M. Burwell photography by Carlo Pieroni
S Right: Members of the VIE team: Darby Kilpatrick, Lisa and Gerald Burwell, Ainsley Rogers, Romona Robbins, Scott Sajowitz, Tracey Thomas, Mary Jane Kirby, and Jordan Staggs Opposite, counterclockwise from top left: Chef Emeril and Alden Lagasse; Dread Clampitt performs; Chef Phil McDonald, Angela Ragsdale, Gayle Schoettle, and George Barnes; Guests toast around the table; Susan Benton, Madra McDonald, and Mike and Angela Ragsdale; Jordan Staggs and Scott Sajowitz; Darby Kilpatrick and Kyle Lage model for the 2013 Food & Fashion Issue cover shoot; Tracey Thomas and Brooke Miller
26 | APRIL 2020
ometimes in life, you have to look back and reflect on all the blessings you’ve had over the years in order to walk in continued gratitude. Creating and sharing memories with friends and loved ones is what life is all about. So, we are incredibly thankful as we marvel at the memories of VIE hosting the Sea + Farm + Table harvest dinner on February 15, 2013, at Arnett’s Gulfside Stables in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The stables played backdrop to our 2013 Food & Fashion Issue cover photo shoot, which began with a 6:00 a.m. call time and lasted until 5:00 p.m., leaving just enough time for our team to run home and change before returning to attend the big dinner party. Legendary international photographer Carlo Pieroni captured the images that day, including the one of our cover model, the dark-haired beauty Darby Kilpatrick. To this day, it is one of our favorite covers. The vast equestrian center at Arnett’s was transformed into a rustic yet intimate dining room, with long oak tables and other furnishings from Smith’s Antiques in Destin setting the scene. Decor and flowers expertly styled by Cari DeGregorio of the Central Idea Agency brought VIE’s vision to life, and custom menu art
designed by Justin Lyons added another layer, so no detail was spared. Local favorite band Dread Clampitt provided lively entertainment as guests—including a few celebrities such as Emeril and Alden Lagasse— mingled and enjoyed wine, French 75 cocktails, freshly shucked oysters, and other hors d’oeuvres before the main event. Chef Phil McDonald, formerly of Table Five Private Chef + Catering (now known for his work as the coowner and chef at Black Bear Bread Co. in Grayton Beach alongside his business partner, Dave Rauschkolb
