Top Notch Event for Matt Murphy at Ritz Carlton

[bam bam]

I don't how many of you were there but man, this thing was an excellent event. It was packed. The entire second floor was used for the event and it was still coming apart at the seems. I talked to Fatzmorris (met his wife who definitely gives new meaning to the saying "better half") and he said they had 1700 people. I wouldn't be surprised if they did better than that.

The food was excellent. I can't remember exactly everything that each restaurant provided but there was a mini redfish dish in the main ballroom that was divine. MiLa did a dessert thing with blueberries and custard that was real good. Obviously food wasn't the reason we were there but pretty much anyone with a station went all out.

Also my date was smoking hot which added to the enjoyment of the event.

[Yvette]

I was also there. I enjoyed myself very much.

I saw so many people I know in the restaurant industry. It was truly touching how they all bonded for this very important fundraiser.

The pictures on the video brought tears to my eyes. Gosh the children look so much like Matt.

I briefly spoke to Alicia, his wife, as I know she was overwhelmed, didn't want to take up too much of her time.

I didn't get anything I bid on, rats, and one item in particular disappeared from the table when I went to put my final bid in...hummm. Even Chef Adolfo was trying to help me find it, but it was gone.

We did donate money to the food board for the children too.

[justagirl]

Yvette, does that mean we didnt get it? Bummer. It was great to see you and Rufus and all the others from the board. I think I saw everyone I know last night. What a fun event. I got to hug on Chef Adolpho which always makes me happy

[bam bam]

Hey Yvette,

I heard I was wandering off aimlessly when my smoking hot date wanted to introduce us. I did enjoy meeting your husband though. Sorry, we didn't get to chat.

[Yvette]

Jag, I am so upset that the page for Chef Adolfo was MIA. I was really hoping you had already won the bid, and they took it away. We, (Adolfo) and I searched a good 20 minutes. Very strange.

I also got a hug and kiss from him. Got a kiss from John Besh too! Gosh, he is so damn good looking.

Bam Bam, I was hoping to run back into Jag again at some point so she could introduce us. Oh well, eventually our paths will cross again.

[justagirl]

Yvette, I actually have no idea what I might have won at the silent auctions. It was rather disorganized and crowded that I couldn't tell and by the time it was over I was ready to go home...And I think my last bid on that was only like $700 or so and surely it went for well over a grand.

The four of us should get together for dinner one evening, I think we would have a great time.

[nikinik]

The event was wonderful and a huge success. Unfortunately, I had been on a diet for two weeks and therefore my stomach was shrinking...so I got full really fast. Grr. I didn' even try any of the sweet.

I didn't bid on anything. THe one item I was interested in was nowhere to be found. I knew a girl that works at the Ritz and was running around organizing things and she told me there were a few things that were called in as a donation but never showed up and the item I wanted was one of them. It was a kitchen tour and tasting with Southern Living magazine.

[LauraMc]

I'm so sorry I didn't go. Sounds like you all had fun. But ..........as a reminder, insurance does not usually pay for blood. However, the hospital allows replacement. I heard he went through lots of blood and platelets. You have to donate through an Ochsner facility and indicate on the form that it is for replacement for him.
I donate routinely and am going to replace for him for awhile. If any one has two hours and good veins, if you do a platelet donation it counts for 8 to 10 units of blood. I've tried 5 times and they only got platelets out of me once. But if you don't have little squiggly veins like me, it's much better for the patients if you donate platelets. It takes about 10 units of whole blood to get one unit of platelets. And you can donate platelets every two weeks.
I looked at their blog and saw those cute redheads and my heart just melted. I hope he continues to recover.