Chef’s Auction Brings Out the Best in OBX

Chef Donny King, Ocean Boulevard, at the 16th Annual Signature Chef's Auction.
Chef Donny King, Ocean Boulevard, at the 16th Annual Signature Chef’s Auction.

As a reminder of how great it is to be associated with the Outer Banks, the 16th Annual Outer Banks Signature Chef’s Auction is perfect.

Held on Sunday at Duck Woods Country Club, there’s a little bit of glamour, some great food, it’s for a great cause and the generosity of the Outer Banks is on full display.

A fundraiser for the March of Dimes, the Chef’s Auction featured 12 area chef’s at their creative best. That alone is a great reason to come to the event, but there is also the auction.

There’s a silent auction as everyone is sampling the food, but the fundraising highlight has got to be the Live Auction Items. Seventeen packages were bid on this year, and there were some spectacular packages.

A week on Ocracoke for six; personal chef service for a 25 person party; dinner and a sunset cruise on a yacht—there was something for everyone. And the bid reflected that, ranging all the way up to $6500.

But the evening was really all about the Outer Banks families who have children who may not have survived if it wasn’t for the March of Dimes and the research the organization has been doing.

The Nola Bryne was this year’s ambassador. Nola and her mom went through a tough time at birth and three-and-a-half years later Nola still has some issue, but she is an active, cheerful child with a smile that can light up the largest room.

That’s what the Chef’s Auction was all about. After the food has been eaten—and it was great food; after the auctions and everyone goes home and hugs their kids, the evening really is about hope and the generosity of the Outer Banks community.

Participating restaurants

Aqua Restaurant and Spa-Chef Cory Bryant

Black Pelican-Chef Jason Jordon

Cravings Steak and Seafood-Scott Foster

Duck Woods Country Club-Chef Joey Russo

Eastside Restaurant-Chef Jeff Readman

Mike Dianna’s Grill Room-Chef Mike Dianna

Ocean Boulevard-Chef Donny King

Red Sky Cafe-Chef Wes Stepp

Kimball’s Kitchen, Sanderling Resort-Chefs Tyler Powell, Brian Riddle

Steamer-Chefs Chris Braswell, Michael Blanchard

Stripers Bar and Grille-Chef Alfredo Landzuri

The Saltbox Cafe-Chefs Randolph and Amanda Sprinkle

15th Annual Chefs Auction at Duck Woods Country Club

Chef Donny King of Ocean Boulevard with his sweet potato and tenderloin steak.
Chef Donny King of Ocean Boulevard with his sweet potato and duck tenderloin.

The food was so good it defies description; the auction items were amazing; the evening of the 15th Annual March of Dimes Chefs Auction at Duck Woods Country Club a wonderful memory.

It was also, though, a chance to reflect on the miracle of birth and what it mean to families when something goes wrong—and how precious and important that child becomes as it struggles to breath; struggles to survive, and then against all odds it does.

That was the story the Gray family told—a story of ultimate triumph in spite of the set backs and continuing medical issues. That was the story of the Pitts family who 11 months after their twins were born prematurely have a healthy children.

The event was truly memorable. We toasted 15 years with champagne; we sampled some of the best food imaginable; the generosity of the Outer Banks community was on full display with bid paddle after bid paddle rising time and time again.

Yes the auction items were worth bidding on—the Cabo, Mexico vacation package for a beachfront stay seemed to get the high bid at $2400, but as great as the auction packages were, the excitement in the room was for the bids, the money that was being raised . . . and the hope that it represents.

Winter on the OBX-Still Lots to Do

JLbbq

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean the Outer Banks has ceased to exist. For a lot of people, winter is the best time of the year to be here—it’s uncrowded, the pace of life has slowed down, a walk on the beach is a great time to spend time with just yourself or someone special. Other than an occasional dog romping in the surf with an owner nearby, there are not too many people walking along the ocean.

Of course it can get a little chilly—it is still winter after all. An amazing winter day today with temperatures in the upper 60s but that will probably change by the end of the week.

But if things have slowed down, there are still some great things to do. To help with that decision making process, we’ve highlighted a couple of upcoming events.

A suggestion: the week of March 13-20 would great time to be on the Outer Banks Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicking things off on Sunday, March 13 and the week wrapping up with the Outer Banks Taste of the Beach.

Call us here at Joe Lamb Jr., & Associates. and let us find you a place to stay.

Outer Banks Signature Chef’s Auction– The Purple Party 15th Anniversary

JLchfauc
FEB 28

Hilton Garden Inn

Phone: 252-573-9035

Email: SBAKER@MARCHOFDIMES.ORG\

11 of the BEST Chefs, Live and Silent Auction, Fine Wines, Craft Brews, Live Music- Black Tie event. We are celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Outer Banks Signature Chefs Event. Reserved Seating. Space is Limited

History of Surfing

JLhistorysurfingMAR 09

Jennette’s Pier

Phone: 252-255-2501

The North Carolina Maritime Museums & Jennette’s Pier will host an evening program on the history of surfing in North Carolina.There will be several presentations & video footage that helps tell the story of wave riding, board shaping & why NC’s coast is an East Coast surfing destination.

27th Annual Kelly’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

JLkellys

MAR 13

Nags Head

Parade starts at 1 pm at MP 11.5, at the intersection of Bladen St. and Virginia Dare Trail (Beach Road) and continues north to Driftwood St. Free Parade celebration at Kelly’s with entertainment, awards and free hot dogs for all till they’re gone!

OBX Taste of the Beach

JOTOB

MAR 17-MAR 20

4 Days of Food, Drink and Fun. A fantastic way to sample the fare of many fine restaurants on the Outer Banks in one fun-filled, food-centric weekend! Casual chefs to full-on foodie fanatics will revel in innovative culinary opportunities offered up by members of the Outer Banks Restaurant Association. Over 50 events over four days at nearly 40 different venues.

activities on the Outer Banks.

Joe Lamb Jr. Outer Banks BBQ & Wings Showdown

MAR 18

Soundside Event Site, Nags Head, NC 27959

Enjoy tasting and voting for your favorite Outer Banks BBQ and Wings from 15 of the areas best eateries! From traditional pulled pork and tender fall-off-the-bone ribs, to delicious saucy hot chicken wings! There is something for every carnivore at this 4th annual event. Presented to you with the support of Joe lamb Jr. Realty and the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, the event is newly located at The Soundside event site in Nags Head, which will provide a great outdoor (tented) park-like experience for up to 750 attendees AND allow onsite parking. There will be great live music too by Jonny Waters & Company.