By Vicki Prichard
NKyTribune reporter
By Monday afternoon the red barn was raised in the center of the Ohio National Financial Services Main Gallery of The Carnegie, a fitting structure for Farm to Gallery, a twist on the farm-to-table movement, as The Carnegie celebrates the 10th anniversary of its popular The Art of Food event.
The 10th anniversary will celebrate with not one, but two nights, where chefs and artists come together at The Carnegie to push culinary arts to new heights: Wednesday, February 24, and Friday, February 26. The plan was a wise one, as Friday night’s event has already sold out, but tickets remain for Wednesday evening.
“The idea behind two nights was to give more of an intimate feel to such a big event,” says Kim Best, deputy director of The Carnegie.
Wednesday’s event — the more intimate version of the event, limited to 200 guests — runs from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring selections from seven local chefs. The $100 ticket includes live music from Jake Speed and the Freddies, complimentary valet, open bar and an opportunity to mix and mingle with the artists and chefs. Exclusive to Wednesday’s event, dishes will come with beverage pairing recommendations.
Chefs from Alfio’s Buon Cibo, Jeff Thomas Catering, Otto’s, Four Seasons Catering, The BonBonerie, Enoteca Emilia and Bouquet Restaurant will be on hand Wednesday evening.
“It’s hard to believe its been 10 years since we held the first Art of Food at The Carnegie,” says Katie Brass, executive director of The Carnegie. “Each year, the Art of Food has evolved, and each year we’ve been able to work with even more amazing local artists and chefs to make it bigger and better.”
Bringing the Art of Food’s Farm to Gallery theme to life, artist Pam Kravitz collaborates with a lineup of artists to construct an interactive environment to showcase creations from the chefs.
Throughout The Carnegie, guests will find a “Butcher shop,” an American Gothic of panorama created from edible materials, art which celebrates food and farm and a look back at the evolution of the Art of Food.
“The artwork this year is loosely set up to trace the path from the far to the chefs, but in an intentionally humorous and fun way,” says Matt Distel, The Carnegie’s exhibition director. “From Ken Page’s sly paintings of cows confronting the conceptual art on the farm, to Tony Dotson’s folk art twist on a butcher shop, to Antonio Adams’ portraits of the Art of Food chefs, each gallery tackles a different step along the way to your plate.”
Among the featured artists for both evenings are Antonio Adams, Eric Brass, Jane Burch Cochran, Tony Dotson, Jen Edwards, Pam Kravitz, Carla Lamb, Matt Lynch, Ken Page, Karen Saunders, Jen Sult, Stacey Vest, and C. Jacqueline Wood.
On Friday, February 26, 2016, the doors open to the signature Art of Food event, which runs from 6 to 9 pm, featuring dinner-by-the-bite from 20 local chefs, all situated among food-inspired art created for the event by local artists. Guests will enjoy music and dancing with DJ Dirty C. A cash bar and valet service are also available. The event includes chefs from The Anchor, Bouquet Restaurant, Carriage House Farm, Chocolats Latour, Coffee Emporium, Fireside Pizza, Four Seasons Catering, Fresh Table, Frida 602, Grateful Grahams, Jean-Robert’s Table, Red Feather, Salazar, Senate, Sleepy Bee Cafe, The Littlefield, The Rookwood, Underbar, La Loupe, The Pacific Kitchen.
Tickets are available through The Carnegie Box Office, open from noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; online at www.thecarnegie.com; or by phone at 859-957-1940.