A tasty southern treat

For its first time catering Taste of the New South, Pinehurst Resort put out a spread that won't soon be forgotten among Levine Museum members and guests.

The annual fundraiser for the museum was held last night, and despite the steep ticket prices ($85 for members, $100 for nonmembers), about 500 people turned out to sample the best of Southern cuisine.

I've heard from past Taste visitors that Wednesday's event was one of the best parties in recent years.

For those of you who haven't been, each year a regional resort or inn invades the museum and through decorations, floral arrangements and cuisine (and wine, lots of wine) showcases its style.

Food tables were posted throughout the museum and rooms had different resort themes: Weddings, Golf, Spa, etc.

In the weddings room, faux wedding cakes dripping in crystal were the centerpiece of the main food station where chefs prepared such delectable treats as foie gras, day boat scallops and crawfish bisque.

In the "golf academy," lounge seating and candles ringed a food station serving up oysters on the half-shell, seafood martinis, pulled pork with warm brie cheese and mini kobe beef burgers.

And upstairs, Pinehurst's aestheticians showed off their skills, giving free chair and hand massages to partygoers.

By the end of the night, large groups went in search of the dessert room where mini trifles were beautifully displayed around a chocolate sculpture and bouquets of fresh flowers.

All told more than 30 dishes -- from bite-size hors d'oeuvres to ceviche shooters to a chocolate fondue fountain -- stuffed partygoers silly.

I heard that the Biltmore raised the bar for the event in 2007 -- I think Pinehurst just took the title from them.