QC Exclusive - No. 30 - 2016 Issue 2 - The Lifestyle Issue

The Quintessential Charlotte Magazine

Vol. 5 | No. 2

Luxury Awaits land rover experience / BOB PETERs’ $400 COCKTAil CAROLINA’S LUXURY SPAS / A FRENCH PROVINCIAL HOME CUSTOM JET DESIGN / SUNBURST CAVIAR / BESPOKE GLOVES A SIMONINI SPACE / QUEEN’S CUP STEEPLECHASE / GALLERY

And so much more... MAR/APR 2016

The Hatteras Story The rich history and bright future of the North Carolina Yacht Builder

P. 172

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Gorgeous homesites from the $80’s. Condominiums from $160k. Mountain homes from $500k. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law before signing anything. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. This information shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required. This information and features and information described and depicted herein is based on proposed development plans, which are subject to change without notice. Actual development may or may not be as currently proposed. No guarantee is made that the features, amenities, or facilities depicted by an artist’s rendering or otherwise described herein will be built, or, if built will be the same type, size, or nature as depicted or described. Š 2015 Blowing Rock Resort Venture, LLC.

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Find your forever.

The exclusives

MARCH/APRIL

2016

LUXURY AWAITS

156 Relax and rejuvenate at ten of the region’s finest luxury spas

162 FitzGerald Morrell, Charlotte’s bespoke tailored glove brand

166 Lavish, elegant, and creative dishes from Charlotte’s finest

172 The rich history of Carolina luxury yacht builder Hatteras

Kindred’s Squid Ink Conchliglie makes an appearance in our “Lavish” Exclusive profiling the luxurious, decadent, and downright tasty dishes in Charlotte. Photo by Jamey Price.

©2015 Stark Carpet Corp.

TO THE TRADE

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Fresco Collection

704.588.8842

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The DEPARTMENTs

MARCH/APRIL

2016 LUXURY AWAITS

130

166 The CULTURE Arts & Style

Angela Nesbit, The Artist • 54 | Hidell Brooks Gallery • Bill Gorelick Cultivates Art • 64 | Glass Revival • 68 Jeff Howlett’s Tintypes • 72

60

The SPREAD FOOD & DRINK

Gallery • 76 | Food Babe • 82 | Sunburst • 86 Punch Room Tuna Carpaccio • 88 | Bonterra Trout • 90 The $400 Cocktail • 92 | The Ultimate Tailgate • 94

124 92

The FOLIO HOME & DESIGN

Simonini Luxe • 102 | Dwell With Cheryl Luckett • 108 Curated Goods • 112 | Luxury Skies • 114 A Bistany Kitchen • 120 | French Provincial • 124

156

The Explored TRAVEL & SPORTING

The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase • 130 | America’s Resort • 138 Sewe • 142 | Get Salted • 146 | Above And Beyond • 150

Eventist • 39 | Exclusives • 156 | Index • 178 / Stockists • 178

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COCKTAIL cover photo by JUSTIN DRISCOLL | YACHT COVER PHOTO PROVIDED BY HAT TER AS YACHTS

The NOTE THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHARLOTTE MAGAZINE

VOL. 5 | No. 2 THE QUINTESSENTIAL CHARLOTTE MAGAZINE

Luxury Awaits

VOL. 5 | No. 2

Luxury Awaits

LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE / BOB PETERS’ $400 COCKTAIL CAROLINA’S LUXURY SPAS / A FRENCH PROVINCIAL HOME CUSTOM JET DESIGN / SUNBURST CAVIAR / BESPOKE GLOVES A SIMONINI SPACE / QUEEN’S CUP STEEPLECHASE / GALLERY

A FRENCH PROVINCIAL HOME / HATTERAS YACHTS CAROLINA’S LUXURY SPAS / LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE CUSTOM JET DESIGN / SUNBURST CAVIAR / BESPOKE GLOVES A SIMONINI SPACE / QUEEN’S CUP STEEPLECHASE / GALLERY

�nd so much more...

�nd so much more...

MAR/APR 2016 MAR/APR 2016

�he

$400 Cocktail Bob Peters’ 100 year old Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac cocktail.

P. 92

�he Hatteras Story The rich history and bright future of the North Carolina Yacht Builder

P. 172

LUXURY AWAITS Because we just couldn’t pick between the two! In honor of our first true luxury issue we went a little overboard with covers and content. Enjoy 180 pages of the very finest offerings in Charlotte and the Carolinas and be on the lookout for the other cover shown above. As evidenced by our unveil of the new QC Exclusive aesthetic last issue, we are really trying to reach higher and push ourselves to the creative brink. We’re doing this in an effort to continually bring you, our beloved readers, the very best of what our great city has to offer. The good news is that, so far, the reception of our refined look has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response! With this issue, we have decided to once again try something new. Instead of doing our regularly scheduled “handmade” issue we have decided to go the luxury route. It may seem a bit redundant because we are a luxury lifestyle magazine, but if you have been following us for a while, our interpretation of luxury doesn’t always translate to price or decadence. For us it means something outside of the norm: excellence, authenticity and quality – one of those kaleidoscopic sunsets over the Blue Ridge Parkway or our very own Carolina Panthers’ surprising season are luxuries – things that are rare, that are coveted. However, in the case of this issue and this issue only, we went for some of the most over the top, unapologetic examples of luxury that we could find in Charlotte and around the Carolinas. We’ve got the story of the rise of New Bern NC’s Hatteras Yachts and other prominent Carolina yacht

28 • qcexclusive.com • MAR/APR 2016

builders, Amy Vermillion’s fully customized private jet interior, the most decadent dishes to devour in Charlotte, Bob Peters’ $400 cocktail, Gerrard Builders’ French Provincial, briny but elegant Sunburst caviar, Bonterra trout, the Queen’s Cup steeplechase and tailgate, and much more! We hope you enjoy the issue and if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford any of these great luxuries you see within our pages, cheers to you. (And feel free to invite us or share!) And for our home team, even though we didn’t win it all, we’ll get there next season boys. Keep Pounding. Sincerely, Jon-Paul Grice and Brett Barter, Publishers

Publishers JonPaul Grice (left) and Brett Barter (right) walk back to their Foundry office in Charlotte.

COCKTAIL cover photo by JUSTIN DRISCOLL | YACHT COVER PHOTO PROVIDED BY HAT TER AS YACHTS

EST. 2011

INFORMATION ADDRESS 619 S. Cedar Street Suite B Charlotte, NC 28202 WEBSITE www.qcexclusive.com EMAIL qcexclusive@gmail.com PHONE 704.219.9088 828.773.4922

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EST. 2011

our team PUBLISHERS Brett Barter Jon-Paul Grice SALES Kathleen Hands Fern Howerin CONTRIBUTORS Jaclyn Ehrlich Sunny Hubler Melissa Justice Jeffrey Lipack Corey Miller Kasey Murray Lynette Wadsworth CREATIVE Stephen Philpott PHOTOGRAPHERS Lunahzon Jamey Price Emily Dnistran

Connect INSTAGRAM @QCExclusive TWITTER @QCExclusive FACEBOOK Facebook.com/QCExclusive

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EST. 2011

Contact Us FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback, both positive and negative, and believe it is very valuable in our constant pursuit to be better as a publication. We encourage you to contact us with any critiques, compliments, or questions by email at qcexclusive@gmail.com and we will reply as soon as possible. EDITORIAL Contact JP Grice by phone at 828-773-4922 or email at qcexclusive@gmail.com. ADVERTISING

DRESSING WITH STYLE

Contact Brett Barter by phone at 704-219-9088 or email at bbarter2@gmail.com. INTERN OPPORTUNITIES

IS LIFE’S ONE AFFORDABLE LUXURY

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KITON / BRUNELLO CUCINELLI / CANALI / WALTER VOULAZ / BILLY REID / PAS DE CALAIS / FRATELLI ROSSETTI / PESERICO / ELEVENTY

EVENTS

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Post an event in QC Exclusive or inquire about partnering with us for an event by emailing us at qcexclusive@gmail.com.

The TALENT JAMEY PRICE

SARAH AND BEN COLLIER

Charlotte native and Formula 1 photographer Jamey Price has

This husband and wife team

been published in Road and

photographs weddings and

Track, Sports Illustrated, ESPN,

editorials with a love for

Southern Living, AutoSport,

timeless, artful photography

and more. Visit him online at

using both film and digital to

www.jameypricephoto.com.

bring your vision to life. Visit them at takenbysarah.com

COREY MILLER

SUNNY HUBLER

A graduate of Appalachian

Sunny is a transplant to

State University and alleged

Charlotte by way of Maine.

film and literature snob, Corey

She is a writer, researcher, and

Miller left a sizable chunk of his

adjunct professor. Her latest

soul in Berlin. He’s just here for

work looks at environmental

the QC beer.

advocacy and nutrition-related health communication.

BOB PETERS

EMBY TAYLOR

A leader in Charlotte’s cocktail

This local husband-and-wife

renaissance, Bob Peters of The

pair, Mary Beth and Colin, have

Punch Room, stirs up some of

a passion for photojournalism

the finest craft concoctions in

and portraiture. Living outside

the city. Follow him on social

of the U.S. during the early part

media and Instagram to see his

of their relationship has given

latest recipes at @bob_peters.

them a different perspective to tell stories in a unique way.

STEPHEN PHILPOTT

EMILY DNISTRAN A graduate of East Carolina

The Philpott proudly hails from the

University, Emily is a Carolina

Queen City. After graduating from

based wedding and portrait

Savannah College of Art and Design,

photographer who loves

Stephen founded The Philpott

spending time with her adorable

Creative Co., a creative design and

Vizsla, Annie. See her work at

branding consultancy studio. Visit

emilykristinephotography.com.

him online at www.thephilpott.com.

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Create a legacy of luxury

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QUEEN’s CUP Steeplechase 4/30/16 - The Queen’s Cup is like no other sporting and social event in the Charlotte region. Each Spring, on the last Saturday of April, in the Piedmont countryside, thousands come to see some of the most athletic thoroughbreds compete at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. The jockeys, dressed in brightly colored silks, push their sleek steeds to clear four-and-a-half foot jumps over a beautiful rolling turf course. For the riders and owners, the prestige of over a record $145,000 in purse money is at stake. For the thousands of guests in attendance, the ultimate tailgating event in Charlotte’s burgeoning sports scene awaits.

JAZZ • P. 40 | BLACK VIOLIN • P. 42 | WILD • P. 44

• queenscup.org

The eventist

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMEY PRICE

March/APRil

2016

N0. 3 • P. 46 | ALYSSA • P. 48 | OPERA • P. 50 | F&W • P. 52

editor’s PICK

The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

3/20/16 - Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

4/21/16 - 4/23/16 - Charlotte Jazz Festival

The Miracle Worker

PhotoWild 2016

A Concert For Kids, By Kids

3/18/16 - 4/3/16 - This classic American play tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student, Helen Keller, who is trapped in a secret, silent world, unable to communicate. With scenes of intense physical and emotional dynamism, Annie’s success with Helen finally comes with the utterance of a single, glorious word. • theatrecharlotte.org

3/19/16 - 3/20/16 - Amateur and professional photographers alike will enjoy this professional photo shoot featuring Carolina Raptor Center’s resident raptors. Each day highlights over 20 different raptors in unique settings. • carolinaraptorcenter.org

3/21/16 - The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra proudly presents “A Concert For Kids, by Kids” conducted by Dr. Ernest Pereira and performed at CPCC’s renowned Halton Theater. • csyo.net

Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3

3/18/16 - 3/19/16 - Made possible by a generous gift from Catherine and Wilton Connor, this performance of Rachmaninoff Symphony No.3 is conducted by Christopher WarrenGreen with talented Calin Lupanu on the violin. This Classics Concert Series performance will take place at the Belk Theater. • charlottesymphony.org

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Films: Peter Thompson Banff Mountain Film Festival

3/20/16 - The Banff Mountain Film Festival is one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. Hot on the heels of the festival held every fall in Banff, Alberta, the World Tour hits the road, coming to Charlotte midMarch. The tour allows audiences the opportunity to get up-close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports, and is an exhilarating exploration of the mountain world. • blumenthalarts.org

3/22/16 - Peter Thompson has been dubbed as the greatest unknown filmmaker in America by renowned critic Jonathan Rosenbaum. His provocative essay films mix documentary, dream, and fiction to create something unclassifiable. This program includes “Lowlands” which recounts the little-known story of Vermeer’s wife and the shocking historical context in which the Dutch master painted his serene masterworks. • mccollcenter.org

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The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

Spring Time Italian Cooking

3/23/16 - Chef Alyssa cooks up a class featuring gluten free Italian dishes, including prosciutto wrapped U.A.V. Burrata, wild striped bass with eggplant caponata, and strawberries with Prosecco Zabaglione. • chefalyssaskitchen.com THE New South for the New Southerner

3/23/16 - Find Charlotte’s heart and soul in Levine Museum of the New South’s popular program series. Historian Dr. Tom Hanchett hosts lively educational discussions on Charlotte’s history and its future. Local voices from the community share stories on an array of topics. This lighthearted lesson in local history is fun and informative

for newcomers and natives alike, and features the program, wine, a southern dinner from Mert’s Heart & Soul, and access to the exhibits. • museumofthenewsouth.org Black Violin

3/24/16 - Black Violin is the blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music. Live, they are accompanied by their crack band, featuring ace turntable whiz DJTK (Dwayne Dayal) and a drummer. Named one of the hottest bands at SXSW in 2013, Black Violin was invited to perform at Bonnaroo and returned to SXSW this year. They visit the McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square for a spectacular performance in late March. • blumenthalarts.org

3/24/16 Black Violin

Women’s History Hall Of Fame

3/27/16 - The Hall of Fame will induct Charlotte-Mecklenburg women who have blazed trails and impacted the community. The event includes ceremony and light reception, and is open to the public. The Hall of Fame is sponsored by Levine Museum in conjunction with

because you deserve it

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photo this page: BLUMENTHAL PERFORMING ARTS

The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs of Charlotte. • museumofthenewsouth.org

There Somewhere,” to name a few. They will perform many of their hits at the Belk Theater this March. • blumenthalarts.org

Moody Blues

Once

3/28/16 - Since they first hit the rock scene, The Moody Blues have continued to produce music that bridges the gap between rock, classical and pop-rock genres without ever wavering in their integrity and commitment. The Moody Blues have sold in excess of 70 million albums worldwide and have been awarded an astonishing 14 platinum and gold discs. Their incredible roster of hits include: “Nights In White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Ride My See Saw,” “The Story In Your Eyes,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” and “I Know You’re Out

4/1/16 - 4/3/16 - Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/ musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who’s about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs. As the chemistry between them grows, his music soars to powerful new heights... but their unlikely connection turns out to be deeper and more complex than your everyday romance. Emotionally captivating and theatrically

3/19/16 - 3/20/16 PhotoWild

breathtaking, Once draws you in from the very first note and never lets go. It’s an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all. • blumenthalarts.org

ENHANCE YOUR LIFESTYLE WHERE YOU LIVE

A MODERN RESPONSE TO CONTEXTUAL URBAN LIVING

SOUTHKINGS:Ruby is an urban, contemporary townhome-style luxury duplex nestled into the fabric of Charlotte’s premier neighborhood, Myers Park.

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The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

3/18/16 - 3/9/16 Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3

Stomp

4/5/16 - 4/10/16 - The percussion sensation has garnered armfuls of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows. The eightmember troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hubcaps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms. Year after year, audiences worldwide keep coming back for more of this pulsepounding electrifying show. • blumenthalarts.org CMS AutoFair

4/7/16 - 4/10/16 - The Charlotte AutoFair is home to thousands of collector car enthusiasts who are buying and selling exceptional vehicles, restoration parts and supplies and those unique items found only at this event. • charlottemotorspeedway.com Atomic Gala

4/8/16 - The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art welcomes guests to its 7th annual fundraising

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photo this page of CALIN LUPANU: CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY

The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

3/23/16 Chef Alyssa’s Spring Time Italian

gala on April 8, 2016. Atomic will be a tribute to mid-century modern designs, on view in the museum’s fourth-floor galleries in the exhibition The House That Modernism Built. All proceeds from gala ticket sales will benefit the museum’s operations, including future exhibitions, programs and educational outreach efforts. Expect the unexpected! Enjoy craft-quality libations, inspired cuisine and live entertainment throughout the museum. Attire is black tie, but guests are encouraged to be creative with their outfits and the theme of the event. • bechtler.org Pagliacci + Aleko

4/10/16 - 4/16/16 - When Leoncavallo’s masterpiece is paired with the U.S. premiere of Rachmaninoff’s Aleko, the result is a truly unique double bill of betrayal, heartbreak, and murder. These two short operas provide the perfect opportunity to behold an Italian classic, as well as an underappreciated Russian work. • operacarolina.org

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The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

4/10/16 - 4/16/16 Pagliacci + Aleko

Mint To Move

4/15/16 - Enjoy Afro-Cuban and Latin-American dance rhythms with a DJ, live musicians and free dance lessons to celebrate multi-cultures, ethnic, age and gender diversity, dance, visual and performing art. • mintmuseum.org Tosco Music Party

4/16/16 - Two decades ago, John Tosco invited a few of his musician friends for an informal song circle/ jam session in his living room. These “Music Parties” became a way to gather with friends and fellow musicians to create an evening of acoustic music. What began in Tosco’s living room soon moved on to larger venues, but the format still retains the original “living room” feel. • blumenthalarts.org Charlotte Jazz Festival

4/21/16 - Kick off the second annual Charlotte Jazz Festival on a truly righteous note with Sammy Miller and the Congregation. Special guest Wynton Marsalis will join the band for several

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photo this page: OPERA CAROLINA

NOT YOUR TYPICAL

Tailgate

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Purchase tickets online at queenscup.org or call 704.993.6920

Experience the Thrill of the Chase速

The EV ENTIST

march/april 2016

4/26/16 - 5/1/16 Charlotte Food And Wine Weekend

PERRYS

selections. Enjoy an evening of “joyful jazzâ€? plus a delicious hors d’oeuvres buffet and a chance to mingle with fellow jazz enthusiasts. • blumenthalarts.org Charlotte Food And Wine

Timeless Designs Trunk Show April 16th Every woman has a story. What’s yours? Tell it in birthstones. Stack them so they’re personal to you. Celebrate your story everyday with Timeless Designs stackables.

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:RZ ZKDW D ÀQG

Jewelry enlarged to show detail. Items displayed are one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale.

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4/26/16 - 5/1/16 - Leading winemakers and chefs from around the world come to Charlotte to celebrate and advance public knowledge of and their appreciation for great wine and food, while making significant contributions to charitable organizations that benefit children and their families in the Charlotte community. • charlottewineandfood.org Queen’s Cup

4/30/16 - The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is Charlotte’s premier outdoor tailgating event. Whether you’re looking for a reason to visit the Charlotte region, a day of fun for the family or entertaining prospective clients, the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase offers a full day of activities and professional thoroughbred horse racing. Experience the thrill of the chase. • queenscup.org

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MUSINGS

The CULTURE

BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOS BY Erin L. Hubbs aND charles johnson

CRAFTED • 68 | PHOTOGRAPHY • 72

The Charlotte-based artist and instructor, Angela Nesbit, paints portraits of children at play, lively still lifes, and abstract nudes that are displayed in galleries throughout the Southeast.

MUSINGS • 54 | GALLERY • 60 | PHILANTHROPY • 64

ANGELA NESBIT

The CU LTU RE

MUSINGS

“angela has achieved a narcotic surface that mesmerizes the eye and entertains our intellect.” - andy braitman

A

Angela Nesbitt in her studio with some of her finished works and works in progress.

Angela Nesbit never set out to make a career as a professional artist.

As she tells it, she was a CPA and a mom first and foremost; someone who kept painting as a treasured hobby and creative outlet. Nesbit never imagined she could be where she is today, selling hundreds of paintings a year and teaching other artists, in both Atlanta and in Charlotte, her craft.

Today, the Charlotte-based artist and instructor lives and works as a studio oil painter. Her portraits of children at play, lively still lifes, and abstracted nudes are in galleries throughout the Southeast and in California. Angela Nesbit’s entire approach to her artistic hobby changed when she met Andy Braitman, the renowned local Charlotte art instructor, in

56 • qcexclusive.com • MAR/APR 2016

1999. She credits Braitman’s talent as a teacher and his refined artistic eye as being the catalyst for her career. Once the two crossed paths, Nesbit began to take a much more serious approach to her painting, studying up to 18 hours a week with him. Before long, Braitman suggested Nesbit pursue representation. “Angela has tenaciously carved out a niche that is all hers,” Braitman

says. “I have never seen an artist manage the sheer volume of paint and maintain the beautiful, varied, informed and informing surface that Angela has achieved. Luminosity is her goal and she has achieved a narcotic surface that mesmerizes the eye and entertains our intellect.” “I truly thought Andy was nuts and I really didn’t believe anyone would be interested in buying my work,” Nesbit recalls of that initial suggestion she pursue art professionally. She – like many – found the highly-exclusive world of art more than a little intimidating. But as Nesbit took Braitman’s advice and sought representation,

The CU LTU RE

MUSINGS

“It is a very expressive process, letting the canvas and subject guide me.” - angela nesbit

opportunities started to surface and her hobby cultivated in the type of rare artistic success so many spend a lifetime chasing. One of her very first inspirations was her daughter; she sought to recreate her childlike movements and so would come to the studio with piles of photos of the young girl in motion. To capture that emotional energy, Nesbit experimented until her own natural style emerged and solidified. The paintings of children are one of her most popular commissions. Today, Nesbit’s technique requires lots of layering, texture, and varied types of application. She describes her own aesthetic as Expressive Impressionism, into which she also at times pulls subtle hints of Abstraction. Her painting process takes several passes, and she begins by layering large amounts of oil paint on the canvas before knowing what the subject will ultimately be. “Once I decide on a subject for the canvas at hand, I play a game of carving out my subject and working to make sense of it all,” Nesbit explains. “It is a very expressive process, letting the canvas and subject

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guide me. I never have to think: ‘what am I going to paint today’ because the canvas tells me.” Once her subject solidifies, she will scrape paint, pour turpentine, or get rid of edges to instill a little more chaos back to the piece. Walking the line between chaos and control is Nesbit’s signature, so that what meets the eye at first glance is never all there is to the painting; a closer look will always reveal varied layers and textures peeking out. As for what’s next for Nesbit, she plans to continue to pursue teaching, which she loves, and strives constantly to become a stronger and more expressive painter. “I work hard in the “Art Gym” doing my pushups and repetitions of painting and drawing exercises,” she

Some of Nesbit’s most popular paintings are lively still lifes and paintings of children in motion.

jokes, “while also being sure to find time for reflection and intuition. My goal is to become the best me that I can be. ‘Know what you love and paint it’ - this has been the guiding principle that brings me to the easel each day.” With a 6th and 9th grader and a packed teaching schedule herself, Nesbit is busier than ever. She will be teaching and sharing her work throughout the Southeast during 2016. Hilton Head, Atlanta, and Charlotte are on the books, with locations and dates still to come. FOR INFO: www.angelanesbit.com

T he CU LTU RE

gallery

HIDELL BROOKS Best friends Katharine Hidell Thomas and Rebecca Brooks bring the work of the finest contemporary working artists to Charlotte. BY SUNNY HUBLER PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

H

Hidell Brooks Gallery, located at the steelyard in historic Southend, is all clean angles, bright white walls, and polished, gleaming wood floors. At the same time, the gallery effortlessly effuses “cool,” managing to capture an appealing, inviting, and laid-back air – one that has been just as carefully curated as the art that adorns the walls. The visionaries behind Hidell Brooks Gallery? Charlotte residents Katharine Hidell Thomas and Rebecca Brooks. Hidell Brooks is a unique gem in the rising Charlotte arts scene: the two women, both with decades of experience in the arts world and 18 years successfully running a business together, have dedicated their space to supporting some of the best contemporary working artists of the day. Both women express excitement at the current art scene in Charlotte, the evolution of which they have

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had a front row seat to see through the years. “Between the gallery crawls in the Southend and the Mint, Bechtler and the McColl Center uptown drawing young artists to the area things are popping,” Thomas says. As for their own business contributing to this vibrant atmosphere, and the dozens of artists showcased at Hidell Brooks, the choices the two make are based first and foremost on passion. “We honestly love the art we exhibit at the gallery,” the two explain. “We both have to have a reaction to the art and it is typically ‘I love it.’ If we both do not feel the same, then we pass.” The original goal the two set out with keeps the gallery going to this day: both women were dedicated to the idea of exhibiting works of art by American artists whose pieces may be hard to find in the Southeast. They are equally dedicated to supporting the arts and

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Artists represented by Hidell Brooks Gallery include (clockwise from top left) Kiki Slaughter, Jacob Cooley, Selena Beaudry, David Kroll, and more.

arts education in the local Charlotte community. And yes, they tell us, after nurturing this shared love of art together over all these years, the two are today the very best of friends. For art-lovers, art-collectors, and art-novices alike, Hidell Brooks captures a wide array of art: the gallery regularly features work from national and local artists, both the well-established and the emergent. The art aesthetic itself is generally within a contemporary narrative or runs along a more figurative vein. The gallery rotates solo and group exhibitions every six to eight weeks, and, if you’re interested in following the latest at Hidell Brooks, Katharine and Rebecca regularly post new installations and new paintings on their website and Instagram. FOR INFO: www.hidellbrooks.com

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philanthropy

CULTIVATE ART At Central Piedmont Community College, first generation American Bill Gorelick and his wife Patty are cultivating fine arts in Charlotte — expanding the artistic landscape, one gallery at a time. Q&A BY COREY MILLER | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

How did you get involved with CPCC? Tony Zeiss, President of Central Piedmont Community College, once walked around my office and commented to me, “You have beautiful glass here. Would you do an exhibit?” That was the hook. The conversations went on, and I decided that the gallery had to be public, a space where anyone could see the art. The individual may be a student, or may be a janitor. Someone may be drawn to only one piece, but that’s enough.

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The project has evolved from one gallery to exhibits on all the CPCC campuses. The exhibits rotate to provide variety for the students and optimal exposure for the artists. It’s very important to me that this be a community effort. CPCC is doing a fantastic job building awareness of the arts for a new generation. What inspired you to help Charlotte’s art community expand? My involvement with the Charlotte

art community started with Gordon Berg, one of the first executive directors of the Foundation for the Carolinas. I met Gordon in the 1960s. We would sit in his small office on Morehead Street, talking about life, the world and what’s right or wrong. Very philosophical. Gordon had a vision for a public space where people could do things for others through the use of endowments. You want to help people, but you want to get behind causes that can continue for the long-term, and that’s really what the Foundation was all about. Gordon and I developed a friendship that influenced the predilection I have for giving back. You get on a certain track, and if it sticks and becomes a part of your persona, eventually the time comes when you have the wherewithal to do some things that you couldn’t do when you were younger. My wife, Patty, and I also are very active through the Mint Museum. Several years ago the Mint Museum established an Uptown Craft and Design Museum that attracted national collectors. Patty and I helped establish the Mint’s Founders Circle, a group of philanthropists committed to the arts. Our involvement with this group furthered our interest in

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ible 1,000 piece Bakelite (an early plastic invented in 1907) collection that is museum quality. If it were not for the internet and her online connections, she would not be able to amass a collection like this one. First you like things, then you buy more of them, but it’s all limited to your purse strings. You have to ask, “How much is it?” I like to wait 24 hours before committing to a piece for the collection. Now we buy primarily from galleries, and focus on glass. Patty and Bill Gorelick courtesy of Foundation For The Carolinas.

collecting, as we traveled with the Founders Circle to Chicago, New York City, and other countries to see artist studios and to meet other collectors. Why do you give back to the Charlotte community? It’s part of the Jewish culture. This may have come from my father. When he was working, men would come wanting money for the seminary. Even though my father was not a wealthy guy, he would never say no. He would give them $18 or $36, since eighteen is a Jewish number that signifies a long life. I was raised in a way that I’ve always felt better giving than receiving. If I have the ability and the opportunity...why not give? Where are you from? I am a first generation Charlottean and a first generation American. My parents came to Charlotte in 1932, and I was born in ‘34. My father grew up in a small village in Russia, where his family had a modest community store. Because of persecution of the Jewish people, my parents left. My father was maybe 27 or 28 years-old

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when he came to the United States. He didn’t speak English, and he had a very heavy accent. In spite of those challenges, he was very entrepreneurial and started a business from scratch after arriving in Charlotte. It was a shoe store on East Trade Street, and I grew up working in the store. This entrepreneurial spirit is in my family’s blood. My family started a finance business in the 1960s, back when there were no credit cards. How did your family history translate into a love of art? First, it happens with your eyeballs: you see things that you’re attracted to. My taste and life experiences instilled an interest in art. Initially, I was drawn to art through my wife, Patty, whom I married when I was 27. She is not an artist, but she likes and understands art. She has a terrific eye. Do you collect directly from artists? We usually collect through galleries. Patty and I primarily collect glass. Patty also has an incred-

What is the importance of art for the city of Charlotte? Charlotte is not a destination city like New York or Chicago or San Francisco. Opportunities are here now because of Charlotte’s growth. The city used to be a stepping stone to success. First you’d come to Charlotte, then you’d go to Atlanta or New York or Chicago. That has changed. The city you see today really began with the banks that had the vision to invest in Charlotte’s future. Now we have an incredible athletic base and a vibrant culinary scene. I believe Charlotte is going to be a big city. We’re attracting good people and keeping them here. Every city of any significance has to have a cultural base, and thankfully, Charlotte is on its way. FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.cpcc.edu

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Glass Revival World-class engraver Wayland Cato has traveled the world sharing his beautiful glass works of art. BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

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roaming elephants he Wayland Henry Cato III saw firsthand in Africa is an invaluable piece or the landscapes he has of the original fabric of explored in Asia. Charlotte’s arts scene. Cato witnessed firstHe is a figure known for hand the burgeoning arts his timeless and unique Wayland Henry Cato III, with his stone wheel in hand, scene of Charlotte through works, primarily as an engraves a glass bowl at his South Charlotte studio. the years, and describes award-winning glass it as a market that today offers something for everyone – and crystal artist. Cato is perhaps just as well-known as “from your first time buyer to seasoned collector.” someone who has dedicated his entire life to fearlessly When he was as young as four or five, the young boy chasing his passions – from training extensively in his found himself drawing anything and everything. He craft, running a glass art studio and gallery in San Diego dabbled with all sorts of art throughout his childhood and and traveling the globe, to running a horseback riding adolescent years, including oil painting, and took classes in club on the beaches of coastal Carolina. the basement of the Mint Museum. Open about childhood Growing up surrounded by nature in the 1950’s on a struggles with dyslexia, Cato says that because he had difplot of Charlotte farmland, Cato first developed the creficulty in school, he would often spend his time in class just ativity that would ultimately lead him to pursue a career dreaming of the moment he could get back to his art. that landed his art in public and private collections from It was one year at home over the holidays when North and South America to Europe, Egypt, and China. Cato noticed his mother’s cut crystal up on the mantle His roots in Charlotte, a place where he would return in a new way. to for good in 1997, infuse his work just as much as the

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“art is the passion i go to bed dreaming about.” - wayland cato

It’s been said that “It occurred to “fine art and Cato singlehandedly me that if deep lines engraving has brought stone wheel could be made in consumed my engraving to new glass then perhaps life, taken me heights, reviving an I could make my art that had seemed pictures on glass,” around the to all but die off in Cato says. “When world.” the early 1800s when engraving glass with the copper wheel a stone wheel you (which many artisans use) came have to engrave it upside down and onto the scene. reverse. That was what I saw in The technique that came readily my head all along! I had found the medium to express myself in and to Cato is so precise as to be almost that I would spend the rest of my hard to fathom for the layperson. life working with.” “Working in cold glass is different than hot glass,” Cato explains. “Cold Once he found glass art, Cato glass is a much lengthier process. became a purely self-taught artisan. Once I get an idea or direction I’d From how to improve the engraving like to go in, I look for the glass that mechanics, to shaping sandstone would best fit the vision and purpose. wheels, to how to show depth, shadI like to use any technique for creatows, and light, he threw himself into ing from diamond stippling, carbide the pursuit entirely.

MORE

FINE ARTISTS

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1

Ray Overman Fort Mill, SC Woodturner

2

Alex Matisse Marshall, NC Potter

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wheels, diamond wheels, copper wheels, sand blasting, and different metals, including gold, that can be fused into the surface of the glass. I don’t rule out anything as long as I can make it part of the glass.” The rest, Cato tells us, is history: his works were commissioned for countless presidents and politicians (Jimmy Carter and Henry Kissinger), for Anwar Saddat of Egypt, Bob Hope, Steven Allen, Waylon Jennings, and more. He was even made the Art Glass advisor to China, as well as their Good Will Ambassador. Cato is a true unabashed lover of the arts, consuming anything he can to inspire the spark within, and naming among his influencers everyone from the cave painters of the Stone Age to the original European fine art masters. “My fine art and engraving has consumed my life, taken me around the world, and enabled me to meet many incredible people,” Cato says. “Art is the passion that I go to bed dreaming about and I wake up thinking of. I can’t wait to see what that day has to bring, who I might meet or talk to and what opportunities await. I do know that I will be doing my art until the very end!” FOR MORE INFO: www.catoglass.com

Steve Randall Charlotte, NC Knifemaker

4

Reid Smith Charlotte, NC Engraver

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Jeff Howlett is most drawn to his art, tintype photography, by the unique stories of those in front of his camera. BY LYNETTE WADSWORTH | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

Jeff Howlett has mastered the skill of preserving our most meaningful moments in one of the most unique artistic mediums. Using a historic photographic process called tintype, Howlett has been able to create modern day portraits in the style of the mid-19th century. Born in Pensacola, Florida, Howlett recently moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina. In addition to honing his photography skills, Howlett is also a film director. In addition to others, he headed the critically acclaimed movie, “A Band Called Death.” As a child, Howlett was introduced to photography by his parents and captured his very first photographs using a Yashica Auto Focus Motor film camera. He learned the techniques and styles of the tintype process in a workshop with a photographer by the name of Ellen Susan. Intrigued by the aesthetic and process of what is called “wet plate collodion,” Howlett has since culti-

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vated his discovery of the tintype process and crafted it into the signature portraits you can find in the homes of his many clients. Howlett often collaborates with another well-recognized, talented tintype photographer named Chris Morgan. For over 17 years, Jeff and Chris have been traveling to various events and festivals creating mesmerizing tintype portraits for each of their clients. They enjoy hitting the road with their mobile tintype studio and collaborating to create personalized tintype portraits for clients all across the Carolinas. Howlett draws his inspiration from days long gone and the very moments before him. The original tintype photography of pioneer photographers (like Civil War photographer Matthew Brady and Alexander Gardner), is what inspires Howlett’s work. Although fascinated with the work of many other talented tintype pho-

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WHO TO FOLLOW photographers on instagram

1

Jamey Price @jameypricephoto Yes, he’s on staff, so you may think this is a shameless plug, but if you truly enjoy epic shots of cars and racing, he’s the best.

2

Josh Alvarez @imthejam Alvarez’s work offers a unique perspective for both landscapes and portraits. His images feature tones and hues rarely seen.

tographers as well, he is perhaps most drawn to his art by the stories of those in front of his camera. “I get inspired by people and their stories when I photograph in Charlotte or anywhere else in the world,” shares Howlett. “And since I mainly do portraits of people, I find that every photograph has a story.” Going forward, Howlett’s main goal is to avoid complacency, and continue learning and developing his skills as one of the few working tintype photographers. The art itself may be old, but it is ever-evolving. If you are interested in seeing more of Jeff Howlett’s unique tintype portraits or commissioning one of your own visit www.howlermanophotography.com

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“ I find that every photograph has a story.”

3

Uncle Jut @unclejut Intensely colorful Queen City imagery and portraits mixed with dramatic black and whites, all with near-perfect contrast.

4

Tintype of Jeff Howlett by Chris Morgan

Courtney Schramm @charlottelately Gorgeous, authentic still lifes of the best food and drink in the city. All images are naturally lit and styled magnificently.

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MAR/APR 2016 • @qcexclusive • 75

EATERY

GALLERY Chef De Cuisine David Moore and Mixologist Greg Voss create a unique and memorable dining experience at The Ballantyne’s Gallery Restaurant. BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

PLATED • 88 | POURED • 92 | THE MENU • 94

EATERY • 76 | TASTEMAKER • 82 | ARTISANAL • 86

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Like any thriving food scene, Charlotte houses a wide variety of dining options: secret hole-in-the-wall spots, a few carefully curated food trucks, beloved neighborhood eateries. Then, there’s the top tier restaurants, striving to bring the taste and aesthetic of upscale dining as the Queen City continues to grow and mature. This is what Gallery Restaurant does best. The restaurant, housed in the Luxury Collection hotel, The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, sources fresh ingredients from local farms to infuse their cuisine with Southern flair. The Ballantyne, long known as a top destination for its spa, golf course, and events venue, has established itself in the culinary world over the past 9 years with Gallery. True to its name, the restaurant’s comfortable atmosphere is accented with a full contemporary art exhibit from local Shain

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Chef De Cuisine David Moore in front of Gallery. Moore’s creative dishes including the halibut and Gallery’s braised lamb cheek.

Gallery. Gallery Restaurant services all the a la carte dining options inside The Ballantyne. Hard at work each day, Chef De Cuisine David Moore and Mixologist Greg Voss have combined their decades of industry experience to create a unique and memorable dining experience for foodies, world-traveling resort-goers, and Charlotteans of all types. “Gallery is Charlotte’s best kept secret,” Voss says. “If you have eaten here, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, then you are missing out on some extraordinary cuisine.” Both the cocktail and dining menus integrate in-house, fresh and local ingredients. This reliance on products that come from

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within the state, and from nearby surrounding states, is paramount to Chef Moore. “Relying heavily on indigenous and locally-sourced ingredients establishes a foundational level of connectivity between guests and farmers,” he shares. “This affords us the opportunity to educate diners, create lasting food memories and support the local food movement.” This holistic, thoughtful approach is partly what sets Gallery apart from other upscale dining options in the city. Neither Voss nor Moore are content to churn through the same recipes or willing to give up on the fine-tuning that elevates one of their dishes or drinks from “satisfying” to “unforgettable.” Moore says that as a youth he devoted long hours in his childhood to backyard cleaning dove, gutting brim and picking tomatoes. The hands-on, meticulous duties gave him an awareness and respect for the variety of edible things most of us give but a passing glance to. His awareness and rigor are integral to the kitchen he runs, and Moore says one of his favorite things to do is to cook “deep prep” - anything that requires an exceptionally long time to produce correctly. “I find gratification in refining those processes over and over again,” he shares. “I love to A/B test recipe methodology and sculpt the evolution of a dish.” In a culture where breakneck speed and frantic multitasking often characterizes both the kitchen and the din-

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Greg Voss, mixologist behind the bar at Gallery, creates unique and delicious cocktails. One of the most entertaining Gallery experiences is watching Voss carve his own ice for their Ballantyne Resort Woodford Reserve Blend.

ing experience, Moore brings an artist’s eye and patience to his culinary creations. Voss’ cocktails, equally carefully prepared to reflect Voss’ dedication to correct technique, run the gamut from classic to modern infusions, designed specifically to pair with dining offerings like Lamb Cheeks, Foie Torchon, and the North Carolina striped bass. Voss says he is always looking to combine new flavors. “I constantly catch myself looking at a product I’ve never used before and asking myself how I can change it to liquid form.” The current goal for Voss and Moore? Continuing to innovate behind the scenes to provide diners at The Gallery and customers of The Ballantyne with an experience they can’t replicate anywhere else in the Queen City. FOR INFO: @galleryrestaurantclt | www.theballantynehotel.com

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FOOD BABE Food Babe, Vani Hari is playing an integral role in creating a safe, sustainable food system for everyone.

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BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

From where we stand today in the United States, healthy eating has become more mainstream than ever. Organic options are readily available, fast food chains now offer salads and have cut down their portions, soda sales have plummeted since the early 90’s, and increasing amounts of science support the myriad benefits of cleaning up the average American diet. In the midst of this changing tide, Vani Hari, a born-andraised Charlottean, sparked her own health revolution. Today, Hari is a major vehicle for nutrition activism and education. Perhaps better known as “The Food Babe,” she is a New York Times best-selling author and a dominant social media force. Her book, “The Food Babe Way”, was released in 2015 and in spring of 2015 she was named one of Time’s “30 Most Influential People on the Internet.” As a Queen City native, Hari says she is excited by the wellness movement happening here. She names Luna’s

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Living Kitchen, Berrybrook Farms, Woodlands Indian Cuisine, and Littlespoon as among her favorite places to grab a bite when she’s home. The Queen City also houses organic farming ventures, like Poplar Ridge Farms and New Town Farms, and several different farmer’s markets. Vani Hari’s main goal is twofold: she wants to mobilize a community of people concerned with their personal health and she wants a movement toward creating a safe, sustainable food system for everyone. She fills a unique niche in the online healthy-eating sphere with a mix of exposé-style posts and grass-roots petitioning efforts aimed against the use of chemicals and additives in common food products. “I began my food journey, like most people, by following the standard American diet,” Vani shares. “As a child and young adult, I ate a lot of processed foods and later in life as a management consultant, I was either in the office eating take-out, or on the road eating every meal out. Over the holiday season ten years ago, I found myself in a hospital bed. I was sick, overweight, and ready to change. I made a personal promise from that point on that I was going to make health my number one priority.” But that moment of personal realization is only a small piece of what ultimately led to the discovery of Hari’s “life’s mission.” She wanted above all to spread the knowledge that so changed her life. Hari was fascinated to learn about the industrialized food system; dyes, chemicals and unknown ingredients lurking in nearly all processed foods. As she regained her own health by pouring through any research she could get her hands on, friends and family encouraged her to spread the information she was uncovering. In spring of 2011, she launched her blog, FoodBabe.com. Things moved quickly from there. Less than a year after that website launch, Hari took a leap of faith and quit her corporate career of 13 years, without having yet made a dime from the blog. Her message resonated. Last year, FoodBabe.com had a reported 52 million visitors with over 3 million unique visitors each month. Her main message to the average person is simple: Learn where the ingredients you eat come from. Eating well doesn’t come at the expense of eating food that tastes good and it also doesn’t mean you must eschew foods that make up a rich cultural heritage, like many of the recipe mainstays of the south. It all comes down to becoming hands-on with the food we put in our bodies - using the sorts of fresh ingredients prepared in your own home, Hari explains. Over the past four years, Hari has thrown herself into gaining a following strong enough to enact some major change in the American food system’s policies. She has successfully lobbied some of the largest food corporations, including Kraft, Chick-fil-A, General Mills, AnheuserBusch and Starbucks, to change ingredients in their

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products; many have responded: for example, as part of a larger effort to improve their products, Chick-fil-A announced that it was beginning to remove many of the ingredients Hari lobbied against, including the widespread use of antibiotics in their chicken. “One individual consumer can be a catalyst for a lot of change by just sharing what they have learned,” Hari says. “When consumers begin to notice where their health is being compromised they can begin to make better choices.” Unsurprisingly, tackling largescale corporations and lobbying so strongly for a particular set of beliefs comes with its share of detractors. Hari tries to take the negativity inherent in launching a career with such a strong web presence in stride. “There is so much that needs to change so I

focus on keeping my eye on the ball and celebrate the victories along the way,” she says simply. “My vision of what is possible for the health of this nation is what keeps me motivated. If I’m ever feeling discouraged it is only because I have lost sight of that vision.” As for what’s next for the selfmade business woman and nutrition advocate? Hari has had a whirlwind year with the release of the book, but shows no desire for slowing down. “There is a revolution happening with so many sweeping changes so far this year as major brands are going organic, non-GMO, and dropping artificial ingredients from their food. But, we’ve still got a long way to go, and there’s a lot more work to do,” she says.

FOR MORE INFO: www.foodbabe.com

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84 • qcexclusive.com • MAR/APR 2016

Food Babe, Vani Hari sits in one of her favorite Queen City restaurants, Luna’s Living Kitchen, a South End eatery.

The SPREAD

artisanal

Canton, NC’s Sunburst Trout Farms produces divine caviar harvested from rainbow trout.

SUNBURST

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Canton, NC’s own Sunburst Trout Farms produces spectacular freshwater rainbow trout caviar with a briny, flavorful punch.

Perhaps one of the most exciting new products offered by the ever-evolving Sunburst Trout Farms in Canton, NC is their nationally-lauded caviar. Although the Sunburst family has been farming trout since 1948, it wasn’t until the 1980s that Sunburst founder Dick Jennings decided to try his hand at actually processing the eggs for caviar. Jennings spent time in Europe studying various methods for producing high quality trout roe, eventually perfecting the technique. Decades later, family members Ben and Wes Eason, who run the operation currently, have taken the product to a whole new level, garnering national recognition as one of the superior domestic caviar producers. “What makes our caviar different is that it’s always processed fresh on the day of harvest,” Eason says. “It

BY JP GRICE | PHOTO BY JAMEY PRICE

delivers a flavor that is not overwhelming to the palate with a very fresh briny ‘pop’. We also offer unique flavors like a hickory smoked roe, cold-smoked in house, and a blood orange infused roe.” You can taste the hard work and attentive care honed by the family through the years in the quality of each and every fish they market. “It is hard work, but it’s very gratifying knowing that you are helping process such a fresh nutritious product,” Wes Eason shares. Sunburst trout and caviar is served locally at some of Charlotte’s finest restaurants including Dogwood Southern Table and The Asbury and at regional powerhouses like Asheville’s Rhubarb, Kinston’s Chef And The Farmer, and Banner Elk’s Artisanal. For more information visit Sunburst at www.sunbursttrout.com.

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TUNA CARPACCIO This simple yet elegant dish from the team at uptown’s The Punch Room is sure to impress your guests. RECIPE BY THE PUNCH ROOM | PHOTO BY JAMEY PRICE

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• Tuna Loin • Lemon • Orange • Fennel • Yellow Pepper Harissa • Kalamata Olive Paper • Mint

Clean the belly and blood line from the tuna loin. Place in freezer for 20 minutes to help the tuna firm up. Using a very sharp knife, slice the loin very thin. Brush with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Dress with fine sea salt and espelette. Garnish with preserved orange and fennel curls. Add a few dots of yellow pepper harissa and a few pieces of kalamata olive “paper”. Lastly, garnish with micro mint, and give a light squeeze of lemon. Then serve and enjoy. FOR MORE INFO: @thepunchroom

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BONTERRA

TROUT Blake Hartwick of the Dilworth staple, Bonterra, shares a masterful trout recipe with our readers. RECIPE BY BLAKE HARTWICK PHOTO BY JAMEY PRICE

INGREDIENTS • 2 Trout Fillets • Brussel Sprouts • 4 Ears Of Corn • 1 Poblano • 7 Cilantro Leaves

• 2 Scallions • 1 Lime • Sea Salt • Black Pepper • Grapeseed Oil

METHOD Season brussel sprouts with salt and pepper, and cook in a cast iron or non-stick pan, stirring often, until the brussel sprouts are caramelized (about 7 to 9 minutes). Remove from the pan. Prepare the trout by removing any excess liquid and sprinkling with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil to the pan and bring to medium-high heat. Tilt the pan away from you and add the fillets skin side down. Let the fillets sauté for about 30 seconds on the skin side and then flip them so the flesh side is down. Sauté for another 30 seconds and then remove the fillets from the pan. With four ears of corn, shuck, clean, and cut off corn from the cob. Clean, deseed and dice one roasted poblano pepper. Char two scallions and cut one lime in half. Now you are ready to make the Skillet Street Corn. In a medium cast-iron skillet on medium high heat bring 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil to temperature. Then, when the pan begins to smoke, add the corn until caramelized and slightly charred. Add scallions, diced poblano, lime juice and cilantro and stir. Remove from stove. To present to your guests place trout fillets on plate (over chickpea puree, rice, or grain of your choice), spoon Skillet Street Corn over the fillets, and top with brussel sprouts. Drizzle sorghum glaze, serve, and enjoy!

FOR MORE INFO: bonterradining.com

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The $400 Cocktail

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RECIPE BY BOB PETERS PHOTO BY JUSTIN DRISCOLL

Renowned mixologist Bob Peters does the unthinkable this issue by cracking open royalty: a coveted $3000 bottle of 100 year- old Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac. Peters’ “The $400 Cocktail” courts his majesty with Byrrh Grand Quinquina wine, sassafras and sorghum bitters, and a homemade brandied cherry. The end result is a deep, floral, silky, cocktail fit for a king.

FOR MORE COCKTAILS: www.bobpeters.net @bob_peters @thepunchroom

Ingredients • 2 oz of Rémy Martin Louis XIII • .5 oz of Byrrh Grand Quinquina Wine • 2 dashes of Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters • 1 Brandied Cherry

Method Pour the Rémy Martin Louis XIII, Byrhh Grand Quinquina wine and two dashes of Sassafras & Sorghum Bitters into a Yarai Japanese mixing glass. With a bar spoon, smoothly stir the ingredients for ten seconds or until mixed. Pour the mix into a coupe glass. Garnish with homemade brandied cherries and a bar pick, serve, and enjoy!

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MAR/APR 2016 • @qcexclusive • 93

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Race Day Revelry FIRST CLASS TAILGATING AT THE QUEEN’S CUP

The 21st Queen’s Cup, with the help of Queen City Catering, is sure to be a first class tailgate experience full of great food, fun, festivities. and of course, the South’s best horse racing. To whet your appetite, Queen City Catering shared some of their favorite Queen’s Cup recipes with our readers. Enjoy and see you at the races!

RECIPES PROVIDED BY QUEEN CITY CATERING | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE OR PROVIDED BY QUEEN CITY CATERING

Queen City Catering’s Carolina Barbeque Parfait.

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Barbeque Parfait INGREDIENTS 8 oz Pulled Pork 2 tbsp Eastern NC BBQ Sauce 2 cups Favorite Mac N’ Cheese 1 cup Creamy Coleslaw 1 ⁄2 cup French’s Fried Onion Strips 4 Parfait Cups METHOD Warm pulled pork and toss with Eastern NC barbeque sauce to coat. Begin parfait by first layering prepared mac n’ cheese - split equally among 4 parfait cups. Then add a second layer of warm pulled pork with bbq sauce and top with creamy coleslaw. Finish with a sprinkle of French’s fried onion strips and serve.

Parmesan Cup INGREDIENTS

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The grandest party in North Carolina, perhaps a little surprisingly, doesn’t involve panthers: It’s a horse race. The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase, now in its 21st year, has developed quite the reputation as one of the most opulent mass picnicking events in the southeast. This outdoor feast of easy-to-devour, springy cuisine is thrown only once a year, setting an uncharacteristically high bar for tailgate food. At the Cup’s Elkridge Club, the culinary options are exquisite. With help from Andrew Matroni and the good folks at Charlotte’s very own Queen City Catering we are able to share five of the most popular Elkridge Club recipes with our readers. Now you can recreate the pageantry any time you wish. This is the best of Carolina tailgating, finetuned for your home. But remember, for the authentic experience, you’ve got to be at Brooklandwood racecourse on the last Saturday of April.

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6 tbsp Parmesan Cheese 2 cups Cooked Warm Orzo Pasta 2 tbsp Olive Oil 1 cup Roasted Tomato 1 tbsp Chopped Italian Parsley 8 oz Grilled Shrimp 1 Lemon METHOD In a 12-inch non-stick pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle 1 tbsp of parmesan cheese on the bottom of the pan. When the cheese starts to bubble and turn golden brown, remove from pan. When cool enough to touch, but still warm, pinch sides to form a cup and then let cool. Repeat for all cups. Toss warm orzo with olive oil, roasted tomato and parsley until mixed. Salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the mixture into parmesan cups, top with grilled shrimp and squeezed lemon.

The Parmesan Cup at the Queen’s Cup Queen City Catering delivers the goods with these creative (cups made out of crisped parmesan, who knew that was possible?) and flavorful bites.

WET YOUR WHISTLE 4 COCKTAILS PERFECT FOR QUEEN’S CUP

The Mint Julep There’s nothing better than this cocktail served up in a cold, silver cup overflowing with crushed ice.

The Steeplechase Aptly named after the races, this bourbon, brandy, mint, and orange Curacao drink hits the spot.

Brown Derby Sour, yet sweet, and very refreshing cocktail that blends the flavors of honey and grapefruit.

Bourbon Sweet Tea Two Southern staples that deserve each other. Add some lemon juice, and a mint leaf and start sippin’.

MAR/APR 2016 • @qcexclusive • 97

THE MENU

Fish N’ Chips

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INGREDIENTS FOR BEER BATTER

FISH METHOD

1 12-oz Bottle of Beer 1 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour 1/2 tsp Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet until very hot. Remove fish from the batter using tongs, allowing excess batter to drip off. Place into the hot oil and fry in batches until deep golden and cooked through, turning once, approximately 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towellined baking sheet. While the fish is still hot, sprinkle with the salt and drizzle with fresh lemon juice.

BEER BATTER METHOD Pour the beer into a large bowl. Sift the flour over, whisking in gently until just combined. Pat the fish dry, sprinkle on both sides with paprika and garlic powder and coat the fish in the beer batter.

bowl, toss in olive oil and coat evenly. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and Old Bay. Place the potatoes in a single layer on pre-warmed baking sheet and roast until the potatoes are tender and starting to brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove potatoes when brown and cooked thoroughly. Place on paper towel lined plate and cover with additional paper towel to keep warm. INGREDIENTS FOR THE GUINNESS BEER KETCHUP

INGREDIENTS FOR THE CHIP Ingredients for the fish 1 ½ lbs. Cod Fillets (skin and bones removed, and cut diagonally into 4-inch long, 1-inch-wide strips) 1 cup Canola Oil 1/2 tsp Salt 1 Lemon (cut into wedges) 1/2 tbsp Paprika 1/2 tbsp Garlic Powder

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2 Potatoes (cut into 1/2 thick wedges) 2 tbsp Olive Oil Pinch of Salt and Pepper Mix 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning CHIP METHOD Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the potatoes in a medium

1/4 cup Ketchup 3 tbsp Guinness Beer 1 tsp Sriracha SERVICE To make it easier for guests to mingle and snack, make the fish n’ chips to go by wrapping each serving in paper. Garnish with lemon.

Queen City Catering’s take on an English staple. When it comes to horse racing, England has a rich history. They also have a rich, tasty, golden treat perfect for race day. Queen City Catering at this year’s Queen’s Cup pays tribute to the English staple with their own delicious version.

PRE-RACE EVENTS four queen’s cup pre-race ACTIVITES TO PRIORITIZE

1 3

The Jack Russell races are a must for dog lovers. Kids of all ages love the prerace pony rides.

2 4

Judge the winner of the epic hat contest. The opening ceremonies with bag pipes.

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Triple Melon Napolean INGREDIENTS 1 Watermelon 1 Honeydew 1 Cantaloupe 1 ⁄2 cup Mascarpone Cheese 1 tbsp Lemon Juice 1 tbsp Honey 1 ⁄4 cup Chopped Pecan 1 ⁄4 cup Blueberries / Raspberries METHOD

Summer Berry Salad INGREDIENTS

METHOD

8 oz Baby Spinach (stems removed) 1 cup Summer Berry Variety 1 tbsp Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese 1/4 cup Chopped Pecan or Walnut 1/4 cup Finely Chopped Red Onion 4 oz Balsamic Vinaigrette

Wash and dry spinach, remove stems. In a large serving bowl place spinach, berries, nuts and red onion. Toss until combined, finish with cheese. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve.

Remove rind from melons and deseed. Slice melon into 1 ⁄2 inch thick slices. Use round cookie cutter or similar to cut out 2 inch circles. Make three layers by placing a teaspoon of whipped mascarpone cheese between each layer. Lightly drizzle each stack with lemon juice and honey. Garnish with chopped nuts and a blueberry.

A SPECIAL THANKS: Thank you to the Prices at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase and Andrew Matroni and crew from Queen City Catering for giving us the opportunity to taste the ultimate tailgate recipes. For more recipes or to book Queen City Catering for your next event visit www.qccatering.com. For tickets to or to sponsor the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase visit www.queenscup.org.

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A refreshing snack in between races. There are plenty of refreshing options at the Queen’s Cup Elkridge Club to enjoy, from a tasty cocktail to a creative bite like this Triple Melon Napolean from Queen City Catering.

VIGNETTE

BY COREY MILLER | PHOTOS BY LESLIE SCOTT

LUXURY • 114 | KITCHEN & BATH • 120 | BLUEPRINT • 124

The FOLio Natural light and a natural backdrop give this home a liberating modern facelift.

VIGNETTE •102 | FOUNDATIONS • 108 | FURNISHED • 112

LUXE SIMONINI

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SIMONINI

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The lake looks nicer if your lake house windows are larger, and few living spaces provide a better view than this Ventana Court home just on the water. A traditional but dated waterfront property, this neoclassical space needed some contemporary flair. The current homeowners wanted to emphasize the “lake” part of the lake house while infusing a modern aesthetic throughout, so they enlisted the help of the talented folks at Charlotte’s Simonini Homes. The modern aesthetic is a surprising compliment to the outdoor lake-scape. The water gleams in the distance, but you don’t get that typical, indoor sense of separation because of the house’s free and open feel. There are no oak doors here, needlessly closing off the central area of the home. The Simonini builders maintained cased entries between the living spaces to cultivate an exceptionally contemporary openness. A superfluity of natural light was the goal, and it’s been reached on an Olympian scale. The two-story arched great room windows, providing both levels of the house with a bastion of light, are the life of this space, with furniture, drapes,

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and paint colors all having been purposefully underemphasized so as to avoid competition with the real star of the show: the breathtaking lake view. Lake Norman is as much a part of this design as any one piece in the home, as water and sky are visible from most of the living areas. Glass entry doors greet visitors, allowing for a clear view

Lake Norman is as much a part of this design as any one piece in the home. directly through the home. The second floor of the great room is braced by a flowing ribbon of custom wrought iron railing, a baluster which maximizes the spillage of light upstairs and organically winds its way down a curved staircase toward what the builders have coined the “window wall.” This design, oddly enough, was directly inspired by a home the owners saw in an Italian magazine.

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The chosen colors open up the space even further, especially with abundant sunlight. A cool white paint coating, while almost a reflective surface for the light off the water, is also a blank canvas for the homeowners’ paintings to adorn. The builders elected to slim down the fireplace wall by removing some of the original built-in shelving. Aside from two clouded white wall sconces and small, practical storage cabinets that blend seamlessly into the wall color, that end of the room was left largely open. Siminoni’s whole project hinged on creating a kind of aesthetic balance. The idea was to “eliminate some of the bulkiness and heaviness” from the room’s focal points — freeing up the space visually for the sake of lighting and the lake, while simultaneously maintaining a beautifully engaging home. Creamy, ceiling-to-floor drapes were installed on the stunning and massive windows, but who would ever use them? The alluring Lake Norman begs to be looked at, and often. FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.simonini.com

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DWELL

Cheryl Luckett dishes on her quickly growing residential design business, “Dwell by Cheryl,” and her inclination toward economical luxury for families.

BY COREY MILLER | PHOTOS BY Cam Richards Photography and Jamey PRICE

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Luckett’s latest project incorporates

How did you decide to go into interior design? I’ve always loved design. My dorm room was voted “Best Decorated” two years in a row. In fact, one year, it was the room they used to tour prospective students. I would light candles and have the place smelling really nice! However, it wasn’t until working in Corporate America as a Registered Dietitian for nearly a decade that I started to yearn for some way to exercise my creative muscles. Seeking an outlet, I launched my business in 2012. It has seen phenomenal growth over the past four years.

What kind of design education did you receive? I earned a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science which provided a foundational knowledge of Interior Design. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that I decided to return to school to complete my studies in residential design. I’m finishing up my final semester and I’ve learned so much in the program. I don’t know that it’s influenced my style as much as it has informed it. I believe there’s a difference between knowing what works and knowing why it works. My design education has provided me a better understanding of the “why.” natural and tropical pieces for a resort feel.

Cheryl Luckett is relatively new to the interior design fray, but she’s hardly inexperienced. Her career as a Dietitian and expertise in Family and Consumer Science have constantly thrust her into the homes of others, and she thrives in that environment. The inner workings of the Charlotte family — what matters to them, and what makes a space theirs — not only interest her, they inform every facet of her career and every corner of her residential spaces.

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From where do you draw most of your inspirations for your designs? I have a passion for creating luxury for less: I believe that everyone deserves a home that they absolutely love and that good design doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I’ve fallen in love with a more traditional aesthetic — there are always vintage pieces incorporated into my projects. From reinvented furniture to found objects, vintage elements give a home character and a bit of history. A piece my clients currently own (a family heirloom, artwork, or pieces acquired during travel) can be the inspiration for the entire project. When you eat, sleep and breathe design, you’re bombarded with beauty 24/7. As my experience in this field increases, so does my exposure to what’s available and that greatly impacts my personal style.

What inspired your design choices in your latest project? The client needed to pull the space together quickly for guests that would arrive soon. She was drawn to on-trend elements with pops of color so that became a springboard for the design. We added a few tropical/natural pieces to create a restful resort feel. My client and I happen to have very similar styles. When that happens, creating a space we’ll both love is really pretty easy. Is there anything you learned doing this design that may influence other projects in the future? I decided to shift the direction of the color scheme mid-stream and I’m so glad I did. It’s important to trust your gut and that’s something I constantly remind myself. I believe in lifetime learning and while I’ll soon

complete my design studies, I’m always looking to hone my design skills and increase my knowledge base. There’s no better feeling than seeing a space, envisioning what that space could become and then bringing that vision to life.

FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.dwellbycheryl.com

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curated Jacyln Ehrlich of Jaclyn Ehrlich Interior Design shares her favorite finds. For more info and designs visit her at jaclynehrlich.com.

IVY LEAGUE LIGHTING Who doesn’t love the unique use of leather and the

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Mix things up a bit with this fantastic

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ESSENTIALS Cowhide Luxury

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Celebrate everyday by making essential

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LUXURY SKIES Interior designer Amy Vermillion explains how private jet design allows her wildest ideas to take off.

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INTERVIEW BY BRETT BARTER | PHOTOS BY CHRIS EDWARDS

Years ago, when one of Amy Vermillion’s residential clients approached her with the prospect of designing the interior of a private jet, she found herself weighing her pieces of choice for the first time: A jet interior can’t be too heavy, but that doesn’t stop Amy from seeking out the most timeless and beautiful lightweight materials she can find. On these jets, even the bathroom walls require an inspired choice of fabric. Like her residential interiors, Amy’s jets are the definition of luxury. Emphasizing as always a strong collaborative relationship with her clients, Amy Vermillion is making second homes in the sky.

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photos this SPREAD BY CHRIS EDWARDS COURTESY OF AMY VERMILLION

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home, I never have to be concerned with g-force, but I do with aviation design and there are other things too. How will this seat hold up if there is an emergency situation? Will my clients be able to evacuate swiftly? Does this furniture layout impede the traffic path of the the flight attendants and crew? Are these fabrics going to melt? So, besides beauty and timelessness, I have to consider safety.

How does an interior designer get into designing private jets? Most of my work is residential but several years ago I had an existing client call me and ask if I would design a private jet that they had purchased. Honestly, I had no idea how to go about it but she was confident that I could do it and so I met with their pilot and tried to get educated. I am sure he thought I was ridiculous since I referred to the vertical stabilizer as the “tail thing” but we have since worked on several jets together and laugh about that first meeting now.

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What are the main concerns or difficulties you encounter in private jet interior design? Weight and flammability. Every pound that gets put on the aircraft costs more money in fuel. The key is to make all selections beautiful, appear sturdy and actually be lightweight. I consider everything when making selections — even the barware and dishes. Fabrics and carpets need to be treated with flame resistant finishes. We never like to think about the possibility of a crash—but we have to. When I design someone’s sofa for their

Do you get to fly on these jets? Yes! And it will spoil you forever. One of the first flights I take is called the “cold soak” with the crew. After the interior is assembled (and this takes almost a year from design to completion) we take the jet up to a certain altitude and fly it around for a couple of hours to test how everything responds. We call it the flight to nowhere. There is nothing better than driving to a hanger, getting on a jet and taking off fifteen minutes later. No security lines and no competing for overhead space! Describe your private jet clients and their design needs? Most of my clients fly for business but some use their jets for personal use. They fly to many countries

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Amy Vermillion, sitting on the steps of a Bombardier Challenger 604 that she recently refurbished.

“When I design someone’s sofa for their home, I never have to be concerned with g-force, but I do with aviation design.” (sometimes in the same week) and it would be a giant waste of time (and money) to fly commercially. The jet is like a hotel room for them. They eat, sleep and freshen up on board and I want them to be as comfortable as possible. One of my clients told me that when he boarded his jet after a particularly tense week of meetings, he immediately felt like he was in his second home — relaxed and happy. What kinds of luxury items do you get to use in your design? Because of the price tag on a jet, I am extremely judicious about the permanence of my selections.

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Where else can you use smoked eucalyptus for cabinetry and gold plated sinks? The bottom line is the client can have just about whatever they want— as long as it passes FAA requirements. Custom cabinetry, monogrammed linen, inlays, china, crystal, cashmere throws are all pretty standard on the jets I design. And most people don’t know there is a VIP seat in every private jet. The VIP seat is chosen by the owner and it’s where they like to sit most. From this seat, the main controls for the avionics are accessible. They can control the lighting, temperature, and cameras (if the jet has them).

You mentioned you use smoked eucalyptus in the design. What exactly is smoked eucalyptus though? Sounds like an appetizer but it’s actually wood veneer. When I design a jet there is a lot of wood involved, from the galley and bathrooms to the bulkhead and other cabinetry. Smoking is the process of fuming the wood to encourage the rich, dark brown tones to emerge. I love working with the cabinet makers on aircraft jobs because of the variety of wood veneers available. What’s your favorite thing about working in private aviation? It is really exciting to be around jets. I love the sound of them firing up and there isn’t anything better than takeoff on a really fast jet. From a design perspective, I get to work with the very best materials in the industry. Whether it is deciding on the metal inlays or plating or choosing the fabric for the walls in the bathrooms, I love the selection process. It’s an opportunity to think on a completely different level than residential design, as it’s more technical and precise. As they say, the sky’s the limit and this has never been truer than when designing a private jet. FOR MORE INFO: amyvermillion.com

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A BISTANY KITCHEN Caren Bistany of Charlotte’s Bistany Design on design philosophy, inspiration, and the details of a stunning kitchen renovation. | INTERVIEW BY JP GRICE | PHOTOS BY JOE CIARLANTE |

How did you get your start in design? After graduating from Appalachian State University in 1988 with further studies abroad through UGA in 1989, I began working for a high-end kitchen & bath firm in Charlotte in 1990. This was a wonderful experience and opened my eyes to the world of residential construction with the kitchen and/or bath being the central focus. Luxury kitchens were in their infancy and the thought process was changing towards kitchens. Clients

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were not only looking to the kitchen as a functional space but the dominant space for a family to live, gather, and entertain in. In 1994, I launched Bistany Design. Can you explain Bistany’s unique approach to design? We take a more holistic approach to design. For us, it’s about far more than just cabinetry. Our attention is directed towards all of the elements that define a great kitchen, bath-

room, and surrounding space. From tile, countertops, and flooring to appliances, lighting, and plumbing fixtures, we detail every selection that goes into the home. Throughout it all, Bistany remains involved in every detail of the construction project. How do you discover the individual personality of your client in order to reflect them through your design? We spend a lot time listening, asking questions, and getting to know our

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The successful team that made this renovation possible through Bistany Design are Dutch Made Cabinetry, Renaissance Tile and Bath (backsplash), AGM and Harkey (countertops), and Glass Works, the creators of the custom leaded glass panels.

kitchen area. We relocated the laundry room and then solved the next big challenge: finding a better location for the electrical panel. Once that was relocated, this opened us up to a complete re-design with superior flow and natural light.

clients’ desires, goals, lifestyle, and personality. This is key to a successful project. They are the key team member in the entire process and the project is about them. What was the inspiration for this space? The homeowners moved from Connecticut and their home there had a wonderful custom kitchen. The home they purchased in Charlotte had a dark, small, and dated kitchen. The inspiration didn’t come from a single source but developed gradually as we forged forward with the design process.

What are the major design features in the kitchen? Every single item in this kitchen was expressly designed and fitted for the space and client. The cabinetry was made to go the ceiling which is 10’. Every feature of the cabinetry echoes of custom detailing; the door style, finish, interiors, leaded glass panels, turned legs, accessories, and more. The beautiful stainless steel hood was crafted just for this area and wonderfully complements the stainless shelving. The backsplash was a key feature for the homeowner. She wanted it to express her desire for color and pattern. We incorporated a handmade glass tile backsplash to achieve this. The stone featured is also one-of-a-kind. We searched and searched for the right countertop and came across two slabs of stone called Syrah in the back of the warehouse and were able to snag them. I haven’t seen this material since.

“We spend a lot of time listening. This is key to a successful project.”

What specific needs and desires did the homeowner have and how did you make them happen? They wanted a luxurious kitchen that reflected their personality, one that spoke to who they are and how they live. The space needed a complete transformation to achieve this. The first step in the process was removing a long hall and laundry room from the

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What do you like most about this kitchen and why? The fact that my clients are completely happy living in their new kitchen and because it meets their aesthetic, emotional, and functional aspirations! This space truly represents their personality. FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.bistanydesign.com

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BLUEPRINT

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FRENCH PROVINCIAL This Gerrard Builders French Provincial masterpiece sits in Foxcroft exuding excellence, authenticity and luxury. BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOS BY DUSTIN PECK

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As the Queen City has continued to grow, the residential and commercial architecture of the city has grown and evolved alongside it, defining the new aesthetic of the present day southern city. Since 2004, Bryan Gerrard’s Gerrard Builders have been one of this area’s premier custom home building companies, and each home Gerrard executes is the culmination of a meticulously planned passion project resulting in another Charlotte resident’s dream home. Each of his luxury homes, adds another layer of distinction to the city’s changing landscape. His recent Foxcroft French Provincial epitomizes that distinction.

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With the Queen City’s own Christopher Phelps serving as the architect and Amanda Patton Swaringen of Carolina Design Associates working as the interior designer for the project, Gerrard Builders’ 7900 square foot Foxcroft French Provincial was entirely custom designed and features a variety of unique, tailored details to distinguish the residency. Once the architecture was complete and the project was turned over to Bryan Gerrard, the building stage took Gerrard Builders 14 months to execute. The main floor houses the master bedroom as well as one full and two half baths. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and four more baths, as well as a powder room.

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To achieve a genuine provincial look, Gerrard sourced authentic materials: the hand carved Indiana Limestone columns on the exterior, a Vermont slate roof, Turkish travertine porches and walkways, and an expansive pool loggia area. The pool house, which holds another bathroom, features an old world French look on the exterior with a clean, classic, functional interior. All of the stonework on the home was done by Stone By Lynch, one of the most well-known stone masonry companies in the Southeast. Gerrard says the unique sunken conditioned wine cellar, built from oil rubbed Sapele wood, was one of the most challenging details of the home to exact to perfection.

Like with all of his homes, Gerrard was fully involved with every step of the home building over the year-plus it took to complete. The clients for the Foxcroft dream home remained involved the entire time as well, joining Gerrard for regular meetings at the site to collaborate and decide on small but essential features of a custom home, from the electrical layout (choosing exactly where the homeowners preferred each light switch) to the height of the shower heads. This type of hands-on collaboration is what makes Gerrard tick – and what has made his business so successful. “With over 80 custom homes, including every person we’ve ever worked for since 2004, we have a 100% referral rate with our clients,” he says. “With all the types of little things that can go wrong with custom building, that’s nearly impossible to achieve. After working with a client, we expect that every one of their friends and family is going to come to us and that on-going long-term relationship is the biggest compliment of all.” Jamie Gerrard, Bryan’s wife proudly adds, “We love to get lots of letters, Christmas cards, and the like from customers after they’ve moved into their homes. The very first complete construction we ever did, each year on the anniversary of the completion of the home, those clients still invite us to dinner.” Bryan Gerrard founded Gerrard Builders, serving the greater Charlotte residential market, in 2004. His wife, Jamie Gerrard, a licensed CPA, has overseen finances of the company from the start. Each of them handle different sides of the business, keeping Gerrard Builders running at full capacity. The two of

OPPOSITE PAGE: The front entrance showcases a 15 foot tall portico highlighted by two hand-carved Indiana limestone columns. THIS PAGE: (TOP) Beautiful stucco matches seamlessly with the limestone. The luxurious slate roof by Detail Slate and Tile in Greenville, SC showcases the attention to quality in this project. Beautiful lighting by Southern Lighting and landscape architecture provided by Bruce Clodfelter and installed by Arborscapes Landscaping round out this Gerrard custom build. (BOTTOM) The pool loggia is the perfect place to entertain guests and take advantage of the Carolina’s wonderful seasons.

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THIS PAGE: The most challenging space in the home, the underground conditioned cellar features travertine floors, oil rubbed sapele, and handcrafted bricks by Old Carolina Brick. OPPOSITE PAGE (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) The gorgeous kitchen features beautiful Calcutta Gold marble. A living area features NC reclaimed timbers. The bar area features lighting accents by Southern Lighting. The Pool House’s light and airy bathroom features a clean aesthetic.

them met when they were both undergraduates at UNC. At that time, Bryan was studying economics and sociology, and as soon as he graduated, he began interviewing for positions in the business sector. A building job had never even crossed his mind. As a fluke, his brother-in-law suggested he might consider building, and Bryan says he merely laughed it off. A few weeks passed, it was brought up to him again, and this time he found himself entering into what he describes as a full-on epiphany. “With zero experience to speak of, I just suddenly realized it was what I would do for the rest of my life,” he laughs. He promptly turned down the job he had been interviewing for, and took a position in 1999, fresh out of school, as an assistant superintendent with one of the largest semi-custom builders in the county, based out of Atlanta. It was an experience he threw himself into entirely, learning everything from the ground up. One of his very first mentors, Chad Julka, is now one of Gerrard Builders’ top project managers. In Atlanta, Gerrard worked his way up over a span of six years until he was managing multiple neighborhoods as a senior PM. He and Jamie were ready to settle down and set roots with a business and family. Both North Carolina natives, they saw no better option than the Queen City.

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Today, Gerrard has taken the very best of his experience working on a much larger scale and honed his own business down to exactly what he loves. He builds 8-10 homes per year and each one commands his full and uninterrupted attention. “As we’ve grown and honed our skills,” Gerrard shares, “and as our reputation grows, we’ve really been able to refine our product. Each house is its own story and its own piece of art.” While Gerrard says he loves traditional or transitional (traditional moving in the modern direction) aesthetics, he doesn’t claim any general design philosophy because his number one driving motivation is first and foremost to perfectly tailor to each customer’s individual needs. For the future, Gerrard Builders intends to keep doing what they’re doing. Even though many home builders are always on the lookout to expand, Gerrard says that their size will continue to be regulated by the amount that he can personally be involved in. If he can’t be there every step of the way for a project, he simply won’t do it. Bryan’s dedication shines through when he speaks about his involvements, ensuring that their 100% customer satisfaction rate remains the most important part of the whole creative venture for Gerrard Builders. FOR MORE INFO AND PORTFOLIO: www.gerrardbuilders.com

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THE RUNNING OF THE 21ST

QUEEN’S CUP Join thousands at The Queen’s Cup on April 30, 2016 to take in another gorgeous spring day at the Brooklandwood Racecourse. BY JP GRICE | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

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The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is an amalgam of events — tailgate party, horse race, fashion show, social gathering, charity event — all rolled into one beautiful spring day.

But a few years ago, it was almost none of those things. Founders Bill and Carrington Price are the leads in the Queen’s Cup story, a testament to what staying the course and just a bit of luck can bring. The Price family have been horse enthusiasts since their youth in Maryland. “From the time we could walk, we’d go to steeplechases,” Carrington recalls. “They were just great social events.” Bill dismissively adds that he rode a bit during his youth, despite Carrington’s jovial assertion that he “was never as good as Jamey [their son].” Upon their move to Charlotte, the Prices bought a horse named Break Clean, who won on his first time out. “We had a very successful spell for three or four years, and we were hooked.” Then, at the urging of family and friends, Bill and Carrington started their own steeplechase...with more than a few complications. The first of those troubles was the event’s location. After the first several years of holding the Cup on leased land, finding a permanent home for the event seemed like

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an all-too-intangible dream. Bill laughingly recalls his thoughts at the time: “How hard could it be, a few fences and a few Porta Jons?” In 1997, the Prices found their land, but some hurdles came with it. A land purchase was one thing; coaxing a racecourse into existence was another feat entirely. Bill, undaunted, undertook the majority of the course’s design himself. He had to create a racetrack from nothing, a grand, spectator-friendly arena that would fit seamlessly into the natural characteristics of the surroundings. It took 45 days to complete the purchase of the land, but months to clear and grade, almost blindly, the land that would accommodate Price’s vision.

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SOUTHERN CHASES SPRING’S FINEST STEEPLECHASES Aiken Steeplechase 3/26/2016 | Aiken, SC A town with a legacy firmly attached to its equestrian heritage, Aiken is a fixture in the steeplechase world with one of the finest events in the South.

Building the Brooklandwood Racecourse was exhaustive. Still, as 20 successful Cups and more than $640,000 charity proceeds have shown, it was also rewarding. The place is a spectacle now: The pristine green of the course compliments the undulating Mineral Springs landscape, while also offering spectators a chance to see the entire track from almost any vantage point, a feature boasted by few other courses in the Carolinas. So the Queen’s Cup was off and running, now at a new home. It must’ve been rounding all the corners properly, because the late 90s saw an anonymous and substantial offer for the Cup and the property. A far greater sum than what the Prices had invested in the property,

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this extraordinary opportunity necessitated a family conference. Bill and Carrington sat down with their children, ten-year-old Jamey and eight-year-old Brent, explaining the situation. Bill paints this meeting as an historic event, a major turning point in the Cup’s history. The crestfallen faces of the children practically made the decision for him. Little Jamey’s confused “I thought it wasn’t about money, Daddy” helped his sister reach a similar conclusion, and they ran from the meeting, “tears and all.” “Then Carrington looked at me,” Bill reminisces, “and asked, ‘Now, what are you going to do?’ ” Ultimately, it wasn’t about the money. With the help of a couple devastated children, Bill and Car-

Carolina Cup 4/2/2016 | Camden, SC One of the most popular steeplechase events in the southeast, Camden’s Carolina Cup is fun for steeplechase enthusiasts and tailgaters alike. Stoneybrook Steeplechase 4/9/2016 | Raeford, NC Residents of the sandhills wait all year for their favorite event, Stoneybrook Steeplechase, a competitive horse race with lots of other activities to entertain. Queen’s Cup Steeplechase 4/30/2016 | Mineral Springs, NC The premier steeplechase in the South, the Queen’s Cup offers fantastic racing on an epic racecourse and absolutely colorful and fun tailgating. Blockhouse Steeplechase 5/7/2016 | Tryon, NC The 70th running of the Blockhouse Steeplechase is sure to please guests. Competitive horses and a wide variety of activities await.

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“ONE DAY EVERY YEAR The Queen’s Cup changes the social and sporting perception of the region.” rington decided that it was actually about everything else: creating a legacy, contributing to the community, preserving the beauty of the racecourse and its contiguous land. The next year, the Prices instituted a conservation easement with the Catawba Lands Conservancy, a move that guarantees the land will retain its current natural state in perpetuity. The Prices’ guidance helped the event to prosper for ten years, until 2009 when the accompanying recession hit, and the Cup faced its greatest challenge yet. Corporate sponsorships dried up as companies cut costs drastically. The Prices feared the event wouldn’t stay afloat, but a few key contributors rallied behind The Queen’s Cup in an effort to maintain its steady trot. The multiple years the Prices spent building relationships with sponsors and the city kept this cultural event alive. The Queen’s Cup has jumped quite a few hurdles in its first two decades, but those hurdles weren’t cleared alone. With the help of the community, an event for the community has managed to thrive, despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Bill and Carrington Price have

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“introduced the region to a sport that’s beautiful yet treacherous, in an environment that’s beautiful.” One day every year, The Queen’s Cup “changes the social and sporting perception of the region,” and Charlotte is thankful for it. Join them on April 30, 2016, as they take in another gorgeous spring day at the Brooklandwood Racecourse, and witness another electrifying chapter in the story of one of Charlotte’s greatest institutions. FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.queenscup.org

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The beautiful and historic Greenbrier sits on 10,000 acres in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains. BY JEFF LIPACK | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE GREENBRIER

There is no place quite like The Greenbrier Resort. The sprawling 10,000 acre estate stretches across the beautiful Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. For over 230 years, The Greenbrier has served as one of the premier U.S. destinations for royalty, celebrities, and 26 American presidents, with Eisenhower being the last. Like a luxurious secluded portal to the 1700’s, the combination of elaborate architecture and classic white and mint green coloring transport visitors of all sorts to a simpler time long since passed. Beyond the rooms located in the main hotel, of which there are a stunning 710, guests may also pick from one of the 96 stand-alone accommodations scattered throughout the grounds. These lodgings vary in size and style, from small, secluded cottages, to ornate estate homes that can entertain up to 200 guests. The Greenbrier also offers 33 suites. For generations, people have traveled all over the world to the historic grounds to rest, relax, and celebrate the

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[TOP] Horse and carriage sit in front of the historic Greenbrier front entrance. [BOTTOM] The Trellis Lobby at America’s Resort

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biggest moments of their lives. grandeur of Greenbrier’s Beyond the carefully curated rooms Avenue Staircase. and suites, the Greenbrier functions [BOTTOM] like its own cozy small town. With The stunning Greenbrier 6 full-time restaurants, 3 seasonal Victorian restaurants, 5 bar/lounges and 24/7 Writing Room. room service, the quality of the food is unmatched. The options vary from an upscale steakhouse, to an Italian restaurant, a southern-style kitchen, and a coal-fired pizzeria. Of The Greenbrier’s 10,000 acres, 43 are dedicated for use as farmland to supplement all of the restaurants. The Greenbrier offers five championship golf courses on the property, in addition to its renowned Golf Academy. The mineral spa, also housed on the property, has served as one of Greenbrier’s main attractions since its inception. When the sun has gone down and the spa and golf courses are closed, there is still plenty to do, from the casino club to the designer boutique shops. FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.greenbrier.com

I’M ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WHY YOUR INTERIORS NEED FIBER-SEAL

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A PILGRIMAGE OF SPORTING PERFECTION

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Sportsman Marc Williams takes in the sights and sounds of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. BY MARC WILLIAMS | PHOTOS BY Paul Mulkey Images PROVIDED BY SEWE

Every President’s Day weekend since the inaugural event in 1983, a congregation of the sporting faithful have amassed in Charleston for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition. They flood this historic Southern city to bare witness to the muster of artists, artisans, outfitters and experts all dedicated to spreading the gospel of the sporting life. The annual trip, 33-years running for some, is akin to a pilgrimage. One could write a lofty and pithy sermon about the comparison to the travels of the faithful to places like the Hajj, or to the annual migration of waterfowl along the flyways. The quality of the vendors, soirees, and events are worthy of such a written testament. SEWE is a collection of well-sewn waxed cotton and

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tweed, abundant with hats rimmed with the iridescent coloring of pheasant feathers. These are the hallmarks of an event, which to some including this author, is the highlight of the year. As a proprietor of a sporting-oriented company, we display our goods, chat and mingle with new folks just like the other vendors who fill the myriad of venues ranging from edge to edge of the city’s borders. From the black tie galas to the oyster roasts, there is no shortage of opportunity for long-time friends to reconvene in one of the South’s most apt settings. But the air of the event is more than just the interaction of purveyor and consumer, it’s an opportunity for the senses. It’s the materialization of a passion a community of

Privately owned and operated, Lucky Clays Farm embodies the rustic beauty of North Carolina’s Central Piedmont. Our spacious location of over 450 acres, with versatile indoor and outdoor settings, provides a unique destination for your next private business function or corporate retreat. For more information, or to book your next corporate event, please contact us at 1-855-858-LUCK (5825) or visit our website at

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hobbyists and professionals hold for a lifestyle which has taught me and others countless lessons. In a Field of Dreams-esque trance, you find yourself wandering from location to location, admiring the sights and sounds, taking the opportunity to absorb every piece of cognitive input the Exposition has to offer. During your travels throughout the venues, the touch of the crisp air of a February afternoon is cut by the throngs of other patrons all moving in a pattern which could only be compared to that of school of feeding game fish. Your visual sense is thrown into overload by the endless displays of wildlife art curated by some of the country’s most talented hands. You’re intrigued and amazed by the athletic prowess of the four-legged companions during their coordinated display. And in a combination of wonderment and fulfillment, the day comes to a close with your senses satisfied and at the same time, leaving you eager for another dose next year. FOR A BIT MORE INFORMATION: www.sewe.com Author Marc Williams is the proprietor of The Sporting Gent, an avid upland game enthusiast and sportsman, and a QC Exclusive Explorer.

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GET SALTED Myers Park’s Om Spa is home to Charlotte’s first Halotherapy room, the perfect place for both relaxation and wellness. BY SUNNY HUBLER | PHOTOS OF OM SPA BY JAMEY PRICE

Om Spa of Charlotte, tucked away in Myers Park, offers a variety of luxury wellness options that range from massage, acupuncture and chiropractics, to performance rehabilitation, to more standard day spa services. With their unique blend of restorative practices and a cutting-edge approach to wellness, Om Spa has built a name among its clients for its dedication to offering only the best treatments available.

In pursuit of this mission, Om Spa, which recently celebrated their 10th year serving the Queen City, unveiled their newest therapeutic spa service: Halotherapy, also known as a Salt Room treatment. Om Spa’s Dr. Bryan Edmiston, the spa’s founder and director, and Anne Glasgow, are responsible for Charlotte’s first halotherapy room. Both note that while Salt Room therapy may sound like an offbeat new trend, many of the health care systems in other countries

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frequently pay for clients to spend several weeks per year in naturally-occurring salt mines. The treatment method itself actually dates back to the Ancient Greeks, and while not a replacement for medical treatment, it serves as an exceptionally effective complement to traditional medicinal techniques. Om Spa has been successfully employing their Halotherapy to treat people with a host of respiratory issues along with skin conditions like eczema. The service has

taken off quickly, Anne Glasgow and Dr. Bryan Edmiston and Dr. Edmin the Om Spa’s Halotherapy Room, iston says they the first salt room are often booked in Charlotte. months in advance, with a full client schedule from open to close. A salt room is just what it sounds like - a spa or hospital room that has been specially formulated to replicate the pristine micro-climate of European salt caves. By using a special tool to grind the salt into micron-sized particles, clients can,

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in a 45-minute session, get the same benefit of three full days spent in an actual salt mine. At Om Spa, pharmaceutical-grade salt gets ground into these tiny particles and then dispersed all throughout the room. Clients enter the

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electronics-free environment, relax in a comfortable chair, and simply breathe the dry salt air. Edmiston explains that the reason the salt itself is so beneficial is that it functions as an anti-microbial, effective against a host of different

bacteria, viruses, and fungi. He notes that Om Spa has been observing especially significant results with their COPD, allergy, asthma and sinus infection sufferers. “The responses from clients has been overwhelming,” he says. “We have clients with COPD coming three times a week and driving an hour each way. They are breathing easier and have been able to reduce the use of their inhalers and medication. We even have physicians asking about what their clients are doing because their heart rates are changing and their respiratory functions improving.*” FOR A BIT MORE INFO: www.omspa.net *Halotherapy is not to be a replacement for any medication or medical treatment but is a complement to traditional medicine techniques.

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We’re spinning tires. The incline sits at 25 degrees, if not steeper, and the scary-looking rocks and roots up the hill are laughing at me because I can’t even make it to them: I was too cautious, too afraid of the RPMs, and now we’re stuck. The left front wheel of my LR4 angrily spins, grabbing bits of mud and air, providing the vehicle’s sleek white exterior with a red-brown splatter that looks so right. “Let’s back up,” suggests driving instructor Greg Nikolas, so calmly that you’d think I’m driving a shopping cart or a tricycle on evenly-paved ground. Upon throwing the vehicle into reverse and allowing the car to slide what can only be a couple inches down the hill, I’m instructed to return to drive and “stay on the accelerator,” while turning so far to the right that I’m sure we’re going to plow through the little cedar beside the trail. We come out of the depression that I’ve turned into a muddy crater and somehow the car continues straight up the hill, and the steering is mine to control again. Greg has my faith, now, and Land Rover has my undying love.

ABOVE & BEYOND The Land Rover Experience, Biltmore: An Off-Road Parable BY COREY MILLER | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

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attractive circular thing near my right hand is. The The Land Rover Driving Experience at Biltmore Estate evidence of “P-N-R-S” lights notwithstanding, I reach starts slowly, and (thankfully) without my hands on the a verdict: “That’s the gear selector,” Greg’s instructive wheel. Instructors Greg Nikolas and Aaron Owens drive intuition prompts him to reveal. As we make our first at first, demonstrating some of the ways I might avoid major descent, I turn the dial to toppling the vehicle, and then the the S, which, in a Land Rover, instruction ends all too quickly. stands for “Sport.” This is the The trails are mercifully rust-coldriving mode which ensures I’m ored, not covered in white, and taking on a downward slope in the ground seems relatively dry. the safest possible way...and after The sun is blinking low through that first descent, I feel safe. This bare trees, and this may just be automobile marvel is inherently the most perfect winter afterdrivable in a way that I can’t noon the Estate has ever seen. easily describe. Yet I’m breathing hard. I’m A half hour later, these connot the best of drivers on a good trols feel like an extension of day — my one Interstate 77 Land Rover Experience instructors Aaron Owens (left) and Greg Nikolas (right). myself, the firm leather seat like experience after 5 on a weekday a comforting cradle rather than still haunts me — so I resent the torture device I’d been fearing, and the earth is too my colleagues for forcing me into the first driver’s pretty, a pristine surface meant to be ripped up by the seat of our two-car convoy. There are more lights and advanced technology beneath me. A feature called “Hill buttons, graphics and switches than I’ve ever seen in a Descent Control,” when turned on, restricts the vehiluxury vehicle, and I can’t seem to figure out what this

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“I wasn’t cut out for this, I’d thought. So thinks everyone who hasn’t felt these transcendent automobiles do what they’re created to do.” - Corey Miller, after experiencing the Land Rover Driving School

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THIS — the mud splash, the rocky imbalance, the axles contorted in a way that shouldn’t be possible — this is Land Rover. cle’s speed to a set limit while traveling downhill, like a kind of off-roading cruise control. The LR4’s “Dynamic Stability Control” manipulates the engine’s power output and applies the brakes at individual wheels, when needed. It’s all making a lot more sense: This vehicle is built for this purpose. Still, so much of this experience seems counterintuitive. I need to turn the wheel left, my instincts shout. I need to. But I actually need to turn right. Offroading, like racing or other sports driving, is an art form supported by science, instructor Greg Nikolas explains. “The science is black and white, but the art — the application of the science — is very gray. Using the provided technology, we can prepare the vehicle for the hillside we’re approaching now, but how much throttle or forceful steering we’re going to need in that instance is up for debate.” The LR4 is designed to do the work for me; I just have to understand which feats it is and isn’t ca-

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pable of. And this, I think, is exactly what Land Rover wants to teach me. Otherworldly technology or no, the vehicle is only as physically capable as its driver is mentally, pragmatically prepared. I wasn’t cut out for this, I’d thought. So thinks everyone who hasn’t felt these transcendent automobiles do what they’re created to do. After my LR4 and I have bonded so well on mud, I don’t know if I ever want to drive one on pavement. My last challenge finds me teetering over two several-feet-deep dips in the ground, and I couldn’t be more excited to find a way out of this precarious mess. This — the mud splash, the rocky imbalance, the axles contorted in a way that shouldn’t be possible — this is Land Rover.

FOR A BIT MORE INFO: landroverusa.com | biltmore.com SPECIAL THANKS: Land Rover Experience Driving School, Biltmore | 828.225.1541 and Land Rover Charlotte.

MARCH/APRIL

2016 LUXURY AWAITS

UNWIND Rejuvenation awaits at these ten luxury spas. BY LYNETTE WADSWORTH PHOTOS COURTESY OF FEATURED SPAS AND RESORTS

LAVISH DISHES • 166 | HATTERAS YACHTS • 172

The EXCLUSIVES You can discover true luxury and serenity at the exceptional spa at Charlotte’s Ritz-Carlton.Photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton Charlotte.

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The first quarter of 2016 is nearly at an end, and we’re all a bit tense. We can’t avoid the stress, so we should probably just find an outlet, a means of loosening up. A life of success and affluence amount to little without health and personal wellness. A spa escape, for a week or an hour, can provide a welcome readjustment. There’s relaxation, and then there’s pure tranquility. With these places so close to us on the map, we may be rethinking how much we really need our spring island getaways. From chiropractic havens to massage bliss, these are more than spas; they’re southeastern paradises. Transcend these pages, visit the best spas in the region, and live better.

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Rejuvenation awaits at these ten luxury spas including the best local retreats to the finest regional destinations. RITZ-CARLTON CHARLOTTE DAY SPA Hidden away in the heart of Charlotte Uptown, the Ritz-Carlton’s two level penthouse contains a state-ofthe-art fitness center, multiple treatment rooms, and separate ladies’ and gentlemen’s Vitality Lounges. This sanctuary welcomes both guests of the hotel and any Charlotte residents seeking serenity.

THE SPA AT PINEHURST The Spa at Pinehurst specializes in catering to your mind, body, and soul. From relaxing massages and illuminating facials to exquisite nail and salon services for both men and women, this spa will leave you feeling both refreshed and energized. Here you can be sure to experience southern tranquility at its finest. THE SPA AT THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN

THIS PAGE: The Ritz-Carlton Charlotte Relaxation Room is the perfect place to unwind. OPPOSITE PAGE: (Top) The Spa at Pinehurst is a world-class facility offering a wide variety of treatments. (Bottom) The Omni Grove Park Inn’s stunning spa is one of the finest retreats in the state.

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this subterranean wellness center. The cavernous rock walls, arches and tunnels separate you from the worries of the world, allowing for an intensive soul-soothing. The Spa at FEARRINGTON Relax and enjoy a facial, wrap, massage, or nail treatment with peace of mind. The Spa at Fearrington is proud to integrate the skincare products of Elemis, a well-known luxury spa and skin care company, in their skin treatments. Prepare to leave this spa looking and feeling amazing. THE SPA AT BALLANtYNE

The Omni Grove Park Inn Spa is 43,000 square feet of peace and quiet. Over twenty water features, including numerous mineral pools, complement

At this grand spa you can enjoy nurturing spa treatments that are inspired by nature. Conveniently (THIS PAGE) PHOTO COURTESY OF RITZ-CARLTON CHARLOTTE (OPPOSITE PAGE) TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF PINEHURST RESORT BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OMNI GROVE PARK INN

located in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte, this spa is close enough to cater to your specific needs. Unwind and enjoy a soothing massage or facial that will leave your body feeling soft and your mind at ease. THE SPA AT CHETOLA RESORT Embark on a delightful journey to rejuvenation. The finely crafted furnishings and exquisite high country decor of this spa is guaranteed to set the tone for your relaxation. Your spa treatment will be complemented with access to the pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and fitness center. THE PRIMLAND SPA At Primland, the gentle wisdom of American Indian healing and the finest European spa rituals are masterfully interwoven. An emphasis on essential natural oils and other organic products permeates your stay here, while nurturing facials and rejuvenating day rituals promise to restore a natural balance to you routine.

wellness services that include Thai massages and salt room therapy, Om Spa’s life-improving facilities threaten to keep you from ever leaving the Queen City. WESTGLOW RESORT AND SPA Savor the taste of roasted poussin and a dessert of your choice before or after enjoying this resorts refreshing spa services. Situated between Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, the alluring elegance and natural beauty of

Westglow Resort and Spa is your perfect escape to utter relaxation. UMSTEAD HOTEL AND SPA At the Umstead Hotel And Spa, guests can enjoy an organic body glow exfoliation that will leave your body feeling soft and refreshed or a custom body massage that will relieve you of muscle tension and stimulate total relaxation. The Umstead Hotel and Spa provides you with a luxurious stay while offering you a wide variety of rejuvenating spa services.

OM SPA This one’s practically in your backyard. Situated in Myers Park, Om Spa Chiropractic and Wellness boasts the first “Chirospa” in the Carolinas. With an expansive list of

THIS PAGE: (Top) The entrance to the beautiful Primland Spa in Virginia. (Bottom) The Spa At Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock, NC is the perfect sanctuary to retreat and relax. OPPOSITE PAGE: (Top) A guest unwinds at the renowned Spa At Ballantyne. (Bottom) The courtyard at the worldclass Umstead Hotel And Spa in Cary, NC.

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(THIS PAGE) TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF PRIMLAND. BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF CHETOLA (OPPOSITE PAGE) TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BALLANTYNE HOTEL BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UMSTEAD HOTEL AND SPA

BESPO BY COREY MILLER | PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE

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Patrick Morrell of FitzGerald Morrell with a pair of his luxury custom tailored gloves.

Carolina menswear is sizing up, thanks to unlikely entrepreneurs with strange passions.

KE

Take Raleigh transplant Patrick Morrell, whose sudden unanticipated obsession with gloves has spawned a Charlottebased, luxury handwear line. His glove-making business FitzGerald Morrell was born of “equal parts personal frustration and market opportunity.” After years of shopping the best quality fashion outlets, Pat couldn’t find a single leather glove that fit his hands: “Morrell family genes blessed me with wide palms and long fingers,” he explains, “great for catching a football, but not so great for buying standardsized gloves.” So he found a way to make his own. Discovering and partnering with 4th generation glovemakers in Dorset, England, to realize his dream of well fitting accessories, Pat Morrell started to notice the overwhelming consumer demand for custom tailored menswear. This prompted Pat, a software engineer, to dive headfirst into the Charlotte fashion world in 2014.

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the brand. Most importantly, Pat promises consistency in He’s in the business of pairings: Pat’s charming compaquality while he expands, emphasizing a “covenant with ny moniker is a combination of his two family names, and customers, to deliver the best gloves they’ve ever worn.” his salesmanship is a marriage of modern online shopBeautiful though they are upon delivery, the gloves ping and traditional tailoring. Once customers have sedon’t reach their potential until they’re worn, because lected their desired style, leather colors, and lining at the they evolve with their wearer. They’re already unlike any FitzGerald Morrell website, they’re sent a “Fit Kit” with other gloves, but over time, they develop a form and charmeasuring instructions and tape. The measurements, of acter unique to their owner. “That’s course, are sent to the glove-makers. This process takes time, sure, the beauty of the materials we use,” but durable, bespoke luxury doesn’t Pat suggests, “and the construction “THAT’s THE BEAUTY methods we employ — our gloves happen overnight. of OUR GLOVES. [they] are luxurious, but they’re built to The brand has established itself ARE LUXURIOUS BUT last.” The patina in Pat Morrell’s quickly, with styles ranging from own pair of conker brown Broughthe men’s winter-fashion Broughton THEY’RE BUILT TO LAST” tons reveals not only that they’re and the Goodspeed driving glove to well-worn, but that they’re also the golfing Lowery. Pat’s wife Clay well-loved. Like the cashmere lining inside, a custom must have also been an inspiration, because his line inpart good for warming Pat’s hands on brisk winter evecludes just as wide a range of styles for women: there’s nings, these gloves are a customized part of Pat himself. the Carolina, a semiformal variety for ladies, the equesPat Morrell and his gloves, like his distinct family names, trian Lexington, as well as the requisite Camille driving are a pair. They look good together. glove. Naturally, Pat’s open to commissioning new styles as the business grows. His Gasset, for shooting, was exTO ORDER YOUR BESPOKE PAIR: www.fitzgeraldmorrell.com clusively designed upon request, and is now a staple of

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lavish PHOTOS BY JAMEY PRICE, LUNAHZON, JUSTIN DRISCOLL, and emily dnistran list compiled bY BRETT BARTER, JP GRICE, AND COREY MILLER photo this page BY: LUNAHZON

Luxurious, creative and downright delicious Queen City dishes.

THIS PAGE: Kindred’s Bucatini. OPPOSITE PAGE: Rooster’s Pork Belly. photo this page BY: JAMEY PRICE

lavish dishes

l

THIS PAGE: Block & Grinder Benedict. OPPOSITE PAGE: BLT Steak’s Porterhouse. Bonterra’s Short Rib

Luxury isn’t JUST A custom leather and gold watch. Tasty epicurean cuisine is often the most lavish thing the good life offers, and this city’s got food rarities in spades. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites, but it wasn’t easy. Look at Joe Kindred, current semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef of the Southeast, who’s been doing fantastical things with pasta in the last year. Selecting the most decadent of his dishes isn’t exactly objectively possible, so we rather selfishly just chose two of our favorites. Finding the most gourmet of Charlotte gourmet can be a bit of an existential struggle, so we threw in some of the most unique libations in the city as a complement — to help with the deliberation, of course. Luxury, in most cases, may be relative, but each of these drinks and dishes makes a pretty good case for objective decadence. These are the most extravagant dishes in and around the Queen City. Have a bite or a sip, and try to argue.

B&G Benedict Block & Grinder Arugula, mustard hollandaise, and two fluffy poached eggs, begging to be eaten, perch atop stacks of smoked salmon. Underneath it all rest two buttermilk biscuits, waiting to redefine brunch indulgence. Zebra Signature Benedict Zebra Restaurant and Wine Bar Steak, lobster and sautéed spinach is served on a toasted English muffin. A poached egg, drizzled with truffle oil & Beurre Blanc, sidles up to a mess of tri-color rosemary fingerling home fries. It’s a bit more than palatable.

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Caviar Sampler Bentley’s on 27 It’s a half-ounce selection of Siberian, Traditional, Oscietra, & Royal Oscietra, with all the traditional condiments and blini, a spread meant for royalty. Porterhouse BLT Steak Every now and again, we need that all-too-American infatuation with great beef reaffirmed. The Porterhouse is as imposing as it sounds, and you’ll want it medium rare and dripping. Don’t try it by yourself, though — this 36 ounce King of TBones is meant for two.

FARM BRAISED PORK BELLY Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen Noble delivers yet again with his farm braised pork belly served with mushroom fregola and a parmesan crisp. short rib Bonterra This melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece is immaculately presented with smoked cauliflower purée, red winebraised cabbage, and the heartiest of tomato gravies. BBQ Octopus Custom Shop Handcrafted Food A massive zested tentacle sprawls over a bed of hot smoked duck fat

photos this SPREAD BY: JAMEY PRICE

potatoes. Graced with black garlic vinaigrette, lemon aioli, and a dusting of paprika, this dish subverts every seafood expectation with an elegance few others muster. PAN SEARED Foie Gras The Fig Tree Restaurant Lovers of pretty dishes, this work of art will have you swooning. Delectable though it may be as a feast for the eyes, trust us — it will be even better in your mouth. Wagyu Longbone Del Frisco’s Steakhouse If a red meat diet is a way of life, Wagyu steak is Enlightenment. 32

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ounces of Wagyu (Japanese cattle), grilled to your brand of perfection is a meal unlike any other. Squid Ink Conchiglie AND BUCATINI Kindred The Davidson restaurant’s Conchiglie, a beautiful hodgepodge of inky black and creamy white, NC Shrimp and sea urchin butter, offers a silky freshness that refuses to be ignored. A second option, Joe Kindred’s Bucatini oozes superiority. The dish - clam and coconut brodo topped with coriander pistou and breadcrumbs - makes for the perfect melding of French and Italian sentiments.

MAINE LOBSTER MAC & CHEESE Fahrenheit Smoky brie is paired with a punch of goat cheese and mired in a cognac reduction. The captive chunks of lobster within will take your taste buds on a journey you will never forget. Chocolate & Champagne Bar Cocoa Offered only on Friday and Saturday, this five-course chocolate Elysium pairs premium champagnes with some of the most decadent and slightly intimidating array of desserts in the city. The folks at Bar Cocoa excel at turning chocolate into fine art, and this “meal” is their magnum opus.

photo this page BY: [LEFT] EMILY DNISTRAN [RIGHT] JAMEY PRICE

THIS PAGE: Bob Peters pours “The $400 Cocktail.” OPPOSITE PAGE: Customshop’s BBQ Octopus. Kindred’s Squid Ink Conchiglie.

luxurious libations

rels, Old Hickory Brewery’s 2010 The Event Horizon has an initial bitterness that is quickly smoothed by sticky chocolate malt. With this kind of rye barrel sweetness and bourbon edge in every sip, we hope The Cellar keeps a nice stock.

Woodford Reserve BLEND The Gallery Bar At Ballantyne Hotel The Whiskey Club of Ballantyne only meets once a month, but the true connoisseurs will find their way over to the Ballantyne Hotel more frequently for the Gallery’s Woodford Reserve Personal Selection bourbon. This special blend is found exclusively at Gallery, poured over a freshly carved ball of ice. Yes, mixologist Greg Voss will chip the ice in front of you, and yes, it’s as cool as the drink itself. Yamazaki Single Malt 18 Yama Asian Fusion Like any whiskey, Yamazaki’s single malt one comes in different

photo this page BY: JUSTIN DRISCOLL

Legends of the Fall Dogwood Southern Table Smoke improves almost any cocktail experience. Before even starting this mixture, bar manager Brian corners you with a bit of burning Ceylon cinnamon bark under an upturned glass. Rye whiskey, spiced simple syrup, house bitters, and orange zest eventually round out this display of bar wizardry. The smoky citrus aroma literally turns heads. Order this one to get the restaurant’s attention, and follow it up with a shot of Pappy to really make your point.

ages, but we set our sights on the 18 year-old bottle sold right here in Charlotte at Yama Asian Fusion. This award-winning whiskey is thick and resinous, with an earthen-noted, medium-bodied palate. Often lauded as Japan’s “number one” whiskey, it’s not exactly locally made, but it can certainly be locally consumed. Old Hickory’s Event Horizon The Cellar at Duckworths Don’t let The Cellar’s ridiculous selection of aged beers intimidate you; just cozy up in a corner booth with Old Hickory Brewery’s The Event Horizon. Brewed in bourbon bar-

The $400 Cocktail The Punch Room 100 year-old cognac sells itself, but cocktail makers have families to feed. We’ve learned: If Bob Peters wants to make a cocktail of this magnitude, let him. In fairness, there aren’t really any mixologists out there talented enough to actually improve a shot of Rémy Martin Louis XIII. Fortunately for us, Bob Peters is more of a bar-dwelling deity, deconstructing and recreating the luxury beverage on a whim. Say hello to “The $400 Cocktail”, two ounces of Louis XIII (a bottle of which is worth thousands), and a half ounce of Byrrh Grand Quinquina, 2 dashes of sassafras and sorghum bitters, stirred. It’s cocktail gospel, rewritten.

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PHOTO OF GT 70 BY JIM RAYCROFT | COURTESY OF HATTERAS YACHTS

They always have been, because the state’s heritage won’t let them be anything else. The Official State Historic Boat of North Carolina is the shad boat, a vessel invented in Roanoke Island at the close of the Civil War. In the latter half of the 19th century, an increase in fishing and a lack of suitable wood for periaugers (log-boats) necessitated a different kind of strong, shallow-draft workboat. The shad was a technology born of necessity, and remains a testament to both the unwavering ingenuity of the Carolina boatmaker and the enterprising perseverance of the fisherman. Just as a good deal of our state’s coastal cities and towns owe their economic development to these two trades, a great many of their inhabitants owe their day-to-day contentment to fishing as a sport. North Carolina boatbuilding, an industry concerned with and precipitated by the fishing industry, has spent two hundred years charting a course from livelihood to luxury. Fishing is and will always remain a viable commerce in the Carolina sounds, but yacht building — the custom construction of handmade luxury craft — is nowadays a business in its own right, thanks to the innovative minds within the industry and the sport fishermen who demand the perfect sporting and leisure experience on the water. Every yacht in the state is a work of naval art, every builder an artist deserving some laud. From some of the oldest legacies to the newest little boat shops, these are the most impressive names in Carolina luxury boat building today — beginning with the most renowned.

The

STORY

HATTERAS

NORTH Carolina seafarers and their vessels are in a league of their own.

BY COREY MILLER PHOTOS COURTESY OF HATTERAS YACHTS

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1960 It couldn’t be done. A fiberglass hull of that size wouldn’t hold up, the traditional boat makers insisted. In summer 1961, a photo surfaced of one of the nation’s first fiberglass yachts floating defiantly intact in the wreckage of Hurricane Carla. Across the back of this vessel stretched the name “Hatteras,” silencing the skeptics for good. Willis Slane’s fiberglass luxury fishing boats were here to stay. As a boy, Willis Howard Slane, Jr. had a Charles Lindberghinduced obsession with flying. As a man, he built the best damned boat company in the Carolinas. His love of the sky found an outlet in the Second World War’s Army Air Corps. His love of the water and the resulting creative outlet of boat building would be shortlived, but his legacy wouldn’t. Second Lieutenant Slane’s honorable discharge in 1945 found him back at his family’s hosiery mill in his hometown of High Point, but the sportsman in Willis couldn’t resist regular trips out on the churning waters off of Cape Hatteras. It was there, where the southbound Labrador Current and the northbound Gulf Stream grind together, that the real objects of Willie Slane’s passion thronged — the marlin. Willis began to invest himself in boat making because he just wanted a boat strong enough to “tame those waters.” Wood wasn’t sturdy enough for his desired vessel, but he relished the skilled furniture craftsmen in his hometown. So he started building his hull out of fiberglass… in the middle of the Piedmont. (Continued on p.176)

Top Left: Willis Slane , founder of Hatteras Yachts. Top Right: The Knit Wit. Bottom: The christening of one of the first Hatteras Yachts. OPPOSITE PAGE: Hatteras’ new 100 Raised Pilothouse.

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CAROLINA SWELLS OLD NORTH STATE

BOAT BUILDERS Blackwell Boatworks Blackwell Boatworks’ Craig Blackwell has been building boats since the age of sixteen, and his own company has been churning out some of the most beautiful lightweight hulls in the NC sounds for the last 25 years. From the simple charter boat to elaborate yacht, Blackwell boats have quickly established themselves as some of the premier sportfishing vessels in the Roanoke region. Scarborough Boatworks The small village of Wanchese is full of fishing families, but none are as recognized as the Scarboroughs. For founder Ricky Scarborough, boating was more than a hobby, it was a way of life. Back in ‘77, Scarborough needed a boat for fishing commercially but couldn’t quite afford a worthy vessel, so this fisherman-from-birth did the only thing that made sense to him: He built his own, and spawned a business now nearly 40 years running. His son, Ricky Jr., continues the legacy, employing CNC router parts and lightweight composite cores in two distinct building styles. Paul Mann Custom Boats From its location in Manns Harbor, NC, the large Paul Mann Custom Boats brand quietly churns out only three boats at a time, allowing for exceptional quality control and personal oversight by founder Paul Mann himself. These daringly light but tough Carolina wood vessels excel in even the worst head-sea conditions. Shearline Boatworks The Shearline team spends nearly a year on every yacht that bears its name. Shearline is a group of boat builders building for themselves as much as they’re building for other (Continued on p. 177)

2016

THE LEGEND Slane’s innovation was criticized until his boats hit the Hatteras waves, their hulls slicing through that tumult of water dauntlessly, like none had before. Carolina fishermen swooned, and a company was incorporated. Willis would only briefly witness those swells of success, due to a tragic heart attack in ’65. Throughout his five years in the luxury yacht industry, he laid the foundation for a fiberglass empire: Willis Slane’s business sensibilities and adventuring spirit melded together like those warm and frigid waters, buoying his hobby-turned-business and creating a boat building juggernaut. Now, Hatteras Yachts is one of the oldest boat builders on the water, and there’s been nothing but an increase in quality since the company’s inception over 55 years ago. In the words of current Lead Designer Cullen Moser, their “designs reflect who the owner is today, and where they intend to take their yachts tomorrow.” They’ve been accused of obsession with minutia, of “over-engineering” every detail, but like Willis, they understand that this is the only way to build a yacht: The waters off of that eponymous cape are tough teachers. Since Willis Slane’s first Knit Wit, the 40-foot fiberglass yacht that revolutionized the industry, Hatteras has proven time and again that their boats are the very definition THIS PAGE: The first Hatteras yacht, named the Knit Wit. of luxury on the water. For a bit more information on OPPOSITE PAGE: Hatteras’ GT 70 is the perfect yacht for the angler. Hatteras visit www.hatterasyachts.com.

ACROSS THE BORDER Just over the Old North State line, Tennessee boat builder, Malibu, is making some of the finest lake and recreational boats money can buy.

M

alibu boats, stationed in Loudon, Tennessee, is the ideal retailer for the boating addicts headed inland. A manufacturer of the sleekest wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and water skiing vessels in the recreational boating industry, Malibu may just have a boat for every member of the family. With a licensed dealer in Charlotte the luxury sportboat of your dreams shouldn’t be difficult to locate. For more info: www.malibuboatsofcharlotte.com.

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PHOTO OF GT 70 BY JIM RAYCROFT | COURTESY OF HATTERAS YACHTS

CAROLINA SWELLS OLD NORTH STATE

BOAT BUILDERS (Continued from p. 175) people. Owner Chip King and his team are committed to the process because they’re ensuring every boat commissioned is a boat they themselves would want to take out. Chaos Boats At Chaos Boats function follows form as much as form follows function: The Carolina bow flare is both sleekly attractive and functionally vital as spray deflector and oversized bow casting area. Curiously located in the landlocked town of Bladenboro, North Carolina, this building company is headed up by Marc and Heather Vickers, a couple of Florida transplants who’ve found their boat building niche in the heart of Carolina. Harrison Boatworks Woodworker Patrick Harrison, along with mechanical engineer Bob Vicek, make up Harrison Boatworks, a relatively young company out of Wanchese offering incredible craftsmanship in both new constructions and total refits. Albemarle: The Carolina Classic The Albemarle Sportfishing Boats and Carolina Classic brands understand that, oftentimes, two lines in the water are better than one. They share a point of origin in Edenton, North Carolina, they each began as family businesses, and they now make up a single company christened Albemarle: The Carolina Classic. The swoosh of the Albemarle “A” and the Classic fishhook “C” are joined, and each brand’s respective yachts are raising fish and braving nasty weather more efficiently than ever. They’re harnessing their combined sixty years in the marine industry, seasoned boat building talent, and feedback from owners of over 3,600 hulls built to help define the future of Carolina boats.

THE FUTURE

The INDEX

MARCH/APRIL

2016

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AGM Imports .................................................105

Dwell Nova........................................................... 14

Nestlewood Realty.......................................... 63

Allen’sJewelers.................................................48

Epicentre.............................................................. 81

New Life Building Supplies.......................... 123

Amina Rubinacci.............................................. 30

Fahrenheit.......................................................... 79

New London Arms ........................................143

Arcadia .................................................................35

Fiber-Seal......................................................... 140

Oasis Pools Plus ................................................115

Arts Cube........................................................... 139

Francois&Co........................................................18

Omni Hotels & Resorts Charlotte.............. 85

AshleyJDesign..................................................32

FrankSmithResidentialDesign....................10

Paragon Bank ......................................................71

BeauOutfitters..................................................53

GJK Design Build Remodel........................... 119

Paul Simon Women......................................... 47

BedsideManor...................................................65

GerrardBuilders.................................................31

Pavillon...............................................................140

Ben Bowen Properties ....................................67

Good’s Home Furnishings............................ 110

Perry’s Jewelry.................................................. 52

Blackhawk Hardware.................................. 109

Grande Custom Homes.................................. 38

Piedmont Town Center................................... 85

Blue Ridge Mountain Club............................ 22

HearthAndPatio...............................................141

Pink Hanger ........................................................46

Blythe Gallery................................................... 145

Hunstad/Kortesis ............................................42

Premier Sotheby’s............................................. 12

Bottega Stone ..................................................111

I.C. London ........................................................148

Queen’s Cup........................................................ 51

Bray’s Island Plantation................................ 133

Isabella ...............................................................106

ReSalon ...............................................................46

Bridgwater Capital......................................... 137

KLMMassage.....................................................50

Remax Exclusive................................................. 4

Bruce Julian........................................................ 75

King’s Kitchen & Bakery ..................................83

Ritz-CarltonCharlotte.....................................41

Cadenza Granite & Marble ............................121

Kingswood .........................................................20

RolleOral&FacialSurgery..............................69

CellarsSouth.....................................................145

LacaProjects......................................................62

Sally’sOpticalSecrets....................................149

Charlotte Wine & Food.................................. 87

Lake Norman Realty........................................... 8

ShainGallery.......................................................57

ClarkHallDoors..................................................73

Land Rover Charlotte...................................... 33

South End Kitchens ..........................................61

Clean Catch......................................................... 91

Lauren Nicole Designs................................... 113

Stark ......................................................................25

CliftonLarsonAllen..........................................59

LevineChildren’sHospital.............................43

Stickley Audi & Co............................................. 75

Cococo Home ....................................................117

LindleyLaw.........................................................45

TaylorRichards&Conger...............................34

Coffey & Thompson...................................... 144

LiquidDesign.....................................................44

The Majestic Bath ............................................107

CopperPenny....................................................48

Lucky Clays Farm ............................................143

The Schiele Museum...................................... 145

Corkbuzz .............................................................91

Magnolia Emporium....................................... 141

TheSportingGent...........................................179

Cottingham Chalk Hayes ..............................49

Malibu Boats Of Charlotte........................... 135

Tuscarora’s......................................................... 50

Cowbridge Furniture .....................................147

Mama Ricotta’s................................................. 93

U.S.NationalWhitewaterCenter..................16

David’s LTD ............................................................2

McDevitt Agency............................................. 29

Windsor Jewelers............................................ 37

Diamond Springs............................................. 89

Metrolina Auto Group........................................ 6

Diamonds Direct .............................Back Cover

Moffett Restaurant Group............................. 93

Dr. Robert Lowe, DDS...................................... 27

Montaldo’s........................................................ 144

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