An Anniversary to Remember

by Steven Doyle

This past weekend I was fortunate to help celebrate the 10^th wedding anniversary of Sharon Van Meter and her husband Jerry Owens with their close friends and family.

You may know Van Meter from Milestone Culinary Arts Center, but she is also a very well respected chef who is a graduate of the Cordon Bleu, Paris, has been inducted in the honorable culinary societies of World Master Chefs Society, Les Dames d’Escoffier and Euro-Toques International. She has cheffed at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago and also is Director of New Projects Development for Food Network TV.

I am fortunate to know the couple and will admit that Sharon has been instrumental in guiding me with several projects. She is giving and benevolent as she is talented and loving.

With all that gushiness aside I wish to share a few photos from the couples special evening where they hosted about 30 for dinner at the Milestone this past weekend.  

Lobster Bisque

Vincent Poulley-Fuisse Chardonney ’08

Orin Swift The Prisoner ’08

Wild Tiger Shrimp with Glazed Tarragon Mousseline

Gary Farrell Chardonney ’07

Truffle Flan of Foie Gras with Forest Mushroom Fricassee

Wildhorse Pinot Noir Cheval ’06

Zinfandel Rosewater Sorbet

Rack of Lamb Provencal with Yukon Olive Oil Mash

Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon ’06

Blond Frisee with Poached Quail Egg

Raspberry Tart

Billecart-Salmon Brute Rose

Lemon Souffle

The chef for the evening was Milestone’s Andre Bedouret who worked for a week preparing this excusite meal for the group, along with a full staff of chefs that are friends of the couple.  Pictured is Bedouret and current Master Chef contestent Jennie Kelley as they hold the Raspberry tart that is a replica of the very tart Sharon and Jerry almost shared on their wedding night. The tart was a surprise for Jerry.

We all wish Sharon and Jerry many happy returns of the day.