Centerplate wins the 2011 NACE Award for Favorite Food at a Meeting

At the 2012 NACE Awards at Brier Creek Country Club on February 7, 2012, Centerplate was nominated for the Best Dessert Presentation at an Event. This nomination was for the Phantom of the Opera dessert at the 2011 NACE Awards Gala we hosted in the ballroom. Unfortunately we did not take home this award, but our honors were forthcoming.

After the salads, entrees, and desserts were served the awards for NACE Meetings began. Lots of educational, networking, trendy, and fun NACE events occurred once a month over 2011. Therefore all NACE members were urged to vote for their favorite Educational Program, Food at a Meeting, Service at a Meeting, Favorite Host, and Favorite Chapter Meeting Overall. In February all of us here at the Convention Center hosted the Awards Gala, which was themed 'The Phantom of NACE'.

This February 2011 evening started with passed appetizers consisting of Shooters of Lobster Espresso with Tarragon Foam and Caviar, Cones of Blue Crab, Avocado with Wasabi and Ginger, and Spoons of Potato Fritters with Truffle Vinaigrette and Parmesan. Then the guests proceeded into Ballroom C for the main event. Here the 2010 NACE Awards were presented and the Phantom's meal was served.

The dinner began with a Roasted Beet Salad with Coffee Oil and Orange Sherry Vinaigrette. The main entree was Braised Pork Belly with Miso Butterscotch Sea Bass and Artichokes and Whiskey Barigoule, but the real highlight of the event was theartwork on square plates placing the event’s theme in front of each person. Attendees realized the Phantom of the Opera musthave been in the kitchen to serve his guests dessert as the night was finished off with the Phantom of the Opera dessert: Mint Ice Cream in a Chocolate Pound Cake with Chocolate Mask and Confetti of Candied Orange and Lemon Zest.

It was this 2011 NACE Event won us the 2011 NACE Award for Favorite Food at a Meeting!

So thank you to all who helped make this event a success. Pictures from last night's event will be available on the Triangle NACE website (http://trianglenace.com/) soon.