Our fair city knows how to support the arts, as evidenced by the turnout at TACA RBC Wealth Management Custom Auction Gala. Chairmen Nicholas Even and Jacquelin and Phillip Taylor and honorary chairmen Lynn and Allan McBee were pleased to see more than 300 arts patrons and influencers at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek.
After words from Jacquelin Taylor, who spoke highly of the evening's supporters, guests dined on an elaborate meal prepared by chef Bruno Davaillon. Gastronomical highlights included seared lamb loin carpaccio with harissa and mint, smoked Gouda grilled cheese with peach jam, and short-rib ravioli with carrot reduction. Even after those dinner indulgences — and that’s not even the whole menu! — attendees managed to make room for Champagne and sweet bites prepared by chef Nicolas Blouin, including pecan coffee operas, strawberry macarons, peanut butter and jelly cakes, verrine exotics, and Guanaja chocolate cakes.
During the live auction, chaired by Wanda Gierhart, guests bid on items like an eight-person culinary tour, wine country travel package, Grammy Awards weekend trip, NYC Fashion Week package and more. The live auction raised $194,000 — a groundbreaking number in TACA’s auction history.
After stomachs were filled and cards were charged, tunes by Az-lzz kept guests dancing the night away. Spotted on the scene: Andrea Fiuczynski (president of Christie’s Los Angeles), Sara Wilson, Andy Teller, Kent Rathbun, Barbara and Don Daseke, Holly Reed, Lisa Ogle, and Candace and Jeff Netzer.
