Oct. 20, 2016

Dinner With Jefferson

Left, author Jon Meacham in a fireside chat with Senator Jon Kyl. Right top, Sharon Dupont McCord with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Right, bottom, Penny Gunning, Justice O'Connor and Ina Manaster

Dinner With Jefferson on Oct. 14 – the second of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute’s annual history dinners – continued the formula of combining elegance with education, following the success of last year’s Dinner With Churchill. Nearly 500 guests attended the event at the Arizona Biltmore.

The evening included dinner with a menu Thomas Jefferson might have served at Monticello. As minister to France and through travels abroad, he acquired a passion for French food and wine. He was also particularly fond of the fresh vegetables he grew on the grounds of the Virginia home as well as the influence of Southern cuisine. Researched by Ina Manaster, the Oct. 14 menu prepared by chefs at the Arizona Biltmore included a first course of green and white asparagus spears, and baby heirloom tomatoes with tarragon mustard vinaigrette. The entrée was boef a la mode with Medeira sauce, Colonial macaroni and cheese pudding, and French green beans. Breads were Southern: honey corn bread and cheddar chive biscuits. Dessert was Jefferson burnt crème. Dinner wines were French.

Dennis Thompson of White House Design Studio spectacularly transformed the Biltmore ballroom into the stately look of Monticello with silver candlesticks topped with red roses and silver bowls filled with red and deep pink roses.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Presidential historian Jon Meacham presented anecdotal details from his book Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, and skillfully analyzed how events of both the past and the present affect our lives. Following his talk, he sat down for a fireside chat with Senator Jon Kyl. Guests left with signed copies of his book.

Sharon Dupont McCord was the evening’s presenting sponsor. Penny and Larry Gunning and Ina and Murray Manaster co-chaired the event.

HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY