Your Life

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Toast of the Coast goes Bollywood for bash

The Toast to the Coast fundraising committee hit a high note with its creative and fresh 2009 Bollywood Bash theme.

Close to 1,500 guests attended the black-tie optional gala held once again on the picturesque Ramsey estate in Pass Christian. The grounds glittered with flickering candles in exotic lanterns, thousands of tiny white lights strewn along with yards and yards of colorful Indian fabrics, and the glow of the occasional heat lamp.

For those looking for additional warmth, the toastiest spot at Toast to the Coast was within the walls of the expansive food tent. The combination of hot chafing dishes and elbow-to-elbow company made for a comfortable blend.

Some of the favorites for the evening included Emeril’s Bombay Samosas with Mint Tamarind Chutney, the Harbor View Café’s Skirt Steak a la Plancha with Chimichurri Sauce, C&G Firecracker Shrimp from the Island View Casino, Lizzy’s Café’s Shrimp and Grits, Braised Pork with Onion Jam and Mango Salsa on Brioche from the Sycamore House, Chef Tony’s specialties from Trapani’s, Grilled Redfish with Lemon Caper Butter from the soon-to-open Vic’s on the Corner, Lazy Magnolia beers and a variety of delicacies including dueling bread puddings: Lookout 49’s Sweet Potato Bread Pudding, a Bread Pudding with Brandy Sauce from the Rusty Pelican and even a Crawfish Bread Pudding with Crawfish Bisque Sauce from Steve’s Marina.

Soups, salads, seafood, sandwiches and even pizzas also were available from restaurants and caterers Coastwide, including Back Bay, Cajun Gourmet Catering, Catfish Charlie’s, Diamondhead Country Club, Great Southern, Kimball’s Seafood, Lucio’s Mexican, Memorial Hospital, Mosaic Tapas Bar, Oak Tree Café, Old Cuevas Bistro, Salute, Southern Grounds Coffeehouse, Subway, Bankhouse Coffee, Grammy’s Donuts and Dominos.

After enjoying dinner music with Ten North Frederick, which entertained with jazz, blues and standards by the porte cochere bar, guests got a chance to dance off their meals with Barbara and Company, who kicked it up a notch on the front-lawn stage.

Those who prefer to burn their calories shopping rather than dancing also had a prime opportunity, between the hundreds of silent auction items and a live auction that included items such as Dom Perignon, naturally, as well as a private dinner party by Chef Vic Pickich and another orchestrated by Kent and Jenny Nicaud, sushi at Oak Crest Mansion, a progressive dinner by boat on Bayou Mallini, and a sunset Champagne cruise, trips to North Carolina Mountains, the Smokey Mountains, Watercolor, and Key West, fishing with Rimmer Covington, and a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards getaway package, a year of pampering from Chuck Kelly Salon and Spa, Viking grills, Maria Matina artwork and even orthodontic treatments.

Among those spotted were organizer Sara Montjoy, Charlie Reymond, Katharine and Skipper Samson, Colette and Johnny Weber, Preethi Swamy, Jenny and Kent Nicaud, Amy and Jeff Steiner, Boo and Sid Charbonnet, Alane and Allan Young, Robert Schwartz and Nikki Niolet, Paige and Carl Rackley, Sandra and George Boddie, Jolynne and Tony Trapani, Mary Montjoy, Mary Jo and Harry McArthur, Sherri Bevis, David Harrison, Constance Williams, Paula and Bado Landry, Lea and Paul Montjoy, Kerrie and Jesse Loya, and Marie and Brian Sanderson.

Jamie Pappas, is the Sun Herald’s social reporter. If you have an idea for a future Local Buzz column, call 604-0719 or (888)563-6118 or e-mail localbuzz@sunherald.com or regular mail Attn. Pappas News, P.O. Box 4567, Biloxi, MS 39535