The Busseni Dinner is scheduled to be held outside on grounds of The Candoro Marble Building
Chef Vecchione was in the kitchen and shared this image of one of his pasta dishes with mussels.
New Life: Candoro Marble 2013 Dinner Series
The 2nd dinner in our series is entitled “The Busseni Dinner”
The sold out Carnival of Venice Dinner at The Candoro Marble building was “a delicious success and celebration of life” says Trudy Monaco, board member of Candoro Arts & Heritage Center.
Chef Nicholas Drew crafted a four course meal for over 55 attendees who savored this event, not only for its purpose to raise funds for the preservation of the Candoro Marble Building but its meaning…to honor the memory of Charles Richmond, who passed away in December while the Candoro Marble Dinner Series was in the planning stages. Richmond served as the much-beloved president of the board of directors for Candoro Arts & Heritage Center.
“Prior to his death, Charlie knew about this special dinner; he loved the Carnival of Venice theme, and he was honored that his name was going to be associated with the event,” explains Trudy “From his hospital bed he said to me, ‘Tell everyone that I will be there in spirit.’”
Charles Richmond’s children attended the event, and Charles’ brother Jim Richmond served as the official photographer for the evening. [view scenes from the Carnival of Venice Dinner]
The dinner is entitled “The Busseni Dinner,” and so named because it is Charles Richmond’s middle name, which reflects his mother’s Italian ancestry. The Candoro Marble building is covered floor to ceiling in marble and provides the perfect setting for an Italian evening. The Busseni dinner features the culinary talent of Chef Vincent P. Vecchione.
Chef Vecchione hails from Italy, and he is not only an authentic Italian chef; He does a great job of explaining the Italian culture and meaning of each food.
“I am a philosophy cook,” explains Vecchione “I enjoy preparing food that is not only delicious, but good for the soul. My food philosophy for this special dinner is the continuing circle of life found in the land, the sea, and the sky.”
These 2013 dinners combine the history of Knoxville with flavors by some of Knoxville’s best chefs.
Reservations for each dinner are available online on this page via PayPal, and proceeds from the dinner series support the historic preservation of the Candoro Marble Building. If you prefer to make your reservation by check, simply mail it to:
Candoro Arts & Heritage Center
PO Box 9437
Knoxville, TN 37940
(865) 384-1273
The Candoro Marble Building, former home of the Candoro Marble Company, is experiencing renewed interest and is once again becoming a cornerstone of South Knoxville.
Marble walls and floors adorn The Candoro Marble Building, an architectural treasure in South Knoxville which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Busseni Dinner attendees will be delighted to discover an evocative menu. Chef Vecchione is planning four courses which begin with a spring Bird’s Nest of handcrafted pasta with asparagus, mushrooms and gorgonzola. The second course, Passage, incorporates his tri-colored handmade tagliolini pasta, herbs, shrimp, and squash cream in orange balsamic and vodka tomato sauce. The third course, In the Sun, is a creation of stuffed squid, cozze (mussels), red potatoes, and mint. A light fourth course, Orange Semifreddo, concludes the evening with orange sorbetto over sliced orange, European chocolate, and candied orange peel. Assisting Chef Vecchione is Keith Bradley, manager of DaVinci’s restaurant in Knoxville’s Old City.
Yay! The Tree & Vine, the olive oil and balsamic vinegar specialty boutique in downtown Knoxville is donating all of the oils and vinegars for Chef Vecchione’s menu.
Double yay! The Fresh Market in Bearden has donated a gift card to help Candoro Marble purchase ingredients for The Busseni Dinner!
Wonderful news! Longtime neighbor and supporter of Candoro Marble, Southland Spirits & Wine, has generously provided the wines to accompany the meal.