Three hundred people attended this year’s Healthier Memphis Gala a.k.a. “The MEM Gala” presented by Lifedoc Health.
The event, held April 24th, was again at the old Summit Club space atop Clark Tower.
Chefs from top Memphis restaurants were on hand with everything from duck confit (Erling Jensen, Erling Jensen: The Restaurant) to strawberry pistachio tarts (Konrad Spitzbart, Chez Philippe, The Peabody).
“Giving in Style” was the title of this year’s gala, which the Lifedoc invitation describes as “A culinary experience and charity benefit.”
And the invite reads, “All proceeds from the evening will support Lifedoc in building a prevention-first health system, reshaping how Memphis invests in health.”
According to its website, Dr. Pedro Velasquez founded the Lifedoc concept in 2000: “Within five years, in 2005, he and his wife, Astrid, opened a family healthcare practice for the rapidly growing, and severely underserved, Hispanic community.”
Diners made their way to the Mississippi River, but, because of a chance of rain, they had to eat inside Beale Street Landing instead of on a riverbank table at the Memphis River Parks fundraiser.
But the event, which was held April 18th, was still memorable. An amazing sunset, which seemed to last almost half an hour, drew guests outside to view and take photographs.
A total of 126 guests attended, says Memphis River Parks CEO/president Paul Chandler. He originally wanted to hold the dinner outside, but he was pleased with plan B. “I think we’ll do it again and we’ll produce at Beale Street Landing,” he says.
Deni Reilly, Gina Neely, and Jennifer Chandler were co-chairs.
Food was provided by Chefs Jimmy Gentry, Nate Henssler, Patrick Reilly, Benny Estevez, Betty Joyce (BJ) Chester-Tamayo, Patricia “Chef P. Lynn” Sanders, and Felicia Willett-Schuchardt. Violinist Journey performed.
