FWAH February Mixer
On February 23rd I had the privilege of attending the second networking mixer that was put on by Alabama Fashion Alliance, the group behind Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville.
The mixer was open to the public and everyone wore red to show support of Heart Health Month and the American Heart Association. The event was held at The Eaves Restaurant.
Business features for the February FWAH Mixer/Networking Event included Aaron Lacy Photography, Victoria Pennington Model and Talent Management (VPMTM) and Sheer Happiness Salon II.
- Aaron Lacy (photographer) debuted pictures from his recent photo shoot themed, “Contagious.
- Victoria Pennington Model & Talent Management gave a mini fashion presentation using select agency models. Fashions for the models was provided by the Style Bar Boutique.
- Khrista Dees of Sheer Happiness Salon II provided information on the services her Salon offers.
- The Eaves Restaurant offered appetizers that were “fashionably” titled just for this event and ranged in price $8 - $13.
Donations to the American Heart Association were accepted at the door. Proceeds from FWAH will go to the Kids to Love Foundation, the John Stallworth Scholarship Foundation and the Studio for Teens.
The following photos are from Aaron Lacy, and used here with special permission.
Make sure to visit the Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville website where all the news, updates, and schedule of events are listed.
You can also find them on Facebook for Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville and the Alabama Fashion Alliance and Twitter @FWAHSV.
They have just now started selling Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville tee-shirts too. Get yours today and help support the fashion industry in Huntsville.
It was a fun event to attend. I saw some familiar faces and I also met some new people. What did I wear? I wore a long (floor length) and sleeveless dress that was beige with black horizontal stripes. The dress was by Red Haute.
I wore red flower clip in my hair. I also broke out the 1920s Jazz bling to accompany my outfit. I wish I had gotten a picture now. Duh.
However, I’m wearing it again tomorrow to an Oscar party. I’ll make sure to get The Gent to snap a photo.
Chef Merle Phillip Interview
♦ Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville [FWAH] ♦
The Eaves Restaurant and The Budding Chef Cooking School are under one roof. The two are owned and operated by Chef Merle Phillip. I had the privilege recently to sit down with Chef Philip to do an interview. The next FWAH networking mixer will be February 23rd and The Eaves Restaurant will play host to the event.
Growing up in New Jersey, Chef Merle Phillip’s parents were avid travelers and were the ones who gave Chef Merle her love of food. She graduated from the University of Maryland and trained/studied in the New York City area, the Mecca of all things culinary.
So let’s get on with the interview shall we?
When did you start your business?
I started The Budding Chef Cooking School in October of 2008. I wanted to share the love of the culinary arts with others. We started with children and teen classes first. We wanted to teach them to prepare healthy meals, educating them how to make intelligent choices in the kitchen. I’m a strong believer of bending the tree while it is still young. The Budding Chef started to evolve into the catering business as well. Then in February of 2011 we opened our restaurant, The Eaves.
Tell me about some of your recent accomplishments.
The Eaves Restaurant has been on the Top 10 list on Urban Spoon and we’ve been rated one of the Top 10 restaurants in Go Magazine for the year 2011. Most restaurants don’t survive their first year, let alone flourish, so these two accomplishments are very meaningful to us.
What is the key to your success?
I do my job well. I am constantly raising the bar on my staff and myself. By doing my job well, touching every plate, and striving to do better every day. I don’t ever want to get so full of myself where I think I can sit back and relax.
How do you keep current in your area of expertise?
Personally, I keep up to date on industry trends. This year I will attend a professional culinary boot camp. Remain open and learn from people who have achieved excellence. As far as the staff and servers, I consider them having an additional role, our sales force. They share the backbone of the business. We have a training program in place where we continue to cultivate the craft of fine dining.
Community involvement?
I am a member of the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce. I’m a supporter of our local NPR station, WLRH. Wounded Warriors is a philanthropic endeavor near and dear to my heart. I host a special cooking class for the spouses of Wounded Warriors.
Is there anything you have coming up that you’d like to share with everyone? Events, promotions, specials?
The Budding Chef Cooking School kind of took a back seat in 2011 so I want to let everyone know that we will be back in full swing for 2012 with the cooking school. We are filling up our calendar with all sorts of fun classes. One of which I am extremely excited about is called Art with An Appetite. So be sure to get on the schedule for that one! Of course The Eaves Restaurant is also expanding into social events and activities more and more in 2012. We are going to do a series called Dinner & Dancing!
Remember to check out the websites for class information as well as hours of operation for the restaurant.
The Budding Chef Cooking School and The Eaves Restaurant
The Eaves on Facebook
501 Church Street
Downtown Huntsville
256.489.1752
For more information about Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville you can visit their website at www.fashionweekalabamahsv.com Be sure to LIKE their Facebook page as well to stay up to date on all the news and activities.
Come on out February 23 (6-8PM) for a fun and glamorous networking event.
February Networking Mixer [FWAH]
Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville Mixer/Networking Event
Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville (FWAH) will be holding a special Mixer/Networking event in support of Heart Health Month. The mixer will be held on Thursday, February 23 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Eaves Restaurant, 501A Church Street NW, Huntsville. This event is open to the public. Dress fashionably and wear your red to show your support of Heart Health Month and the American Heart Association.
Business features for the February FWAH Mixer/Networking Event will include Aaron Lacy Photography, Victoria Pennington Model and Talent Management (VPMTM) and Sheer Happiness Salon II.
- VPMTM will give a mini fashion presentation using select agency models. Fashions for the models will be provided by the Style Bar Boutique, 2601 Leeman Ferry, Huntsville, AL.
- Aaron Lacy will debut pictures from his recent photo shoot themed, “Contagious.”
- Khrista Dees of Sheer Happiness Salon II (2519 Bronco Circle, Huntsville, AL) will provide information on her beauty services.
- Auburn University’s Fashion Design Student, Katie Azzam, creates original t-shirt design to auction in support of the Alabama Fashion Alliance’s initiatives.
The Eaves Restaurant will offer an appetizer menu of items that are “fashionably” titled. Appetizers are priced from $8 - $13.
As Alabama’s premier fashion event, FWAH invites you to be a part of its success. Voluntary donations to the American Heart Association will be accepted at the door. Proceeds from FWAH will also go to the Kids to Love Foundation, the John Stallworth Scholarship Foundation and the Studio for Teens.
For more information call 256.585.4452 or visit www.fashionweekalabamahsv.com. Fashion Week Alabama in Huntsville and the Alabama Fashion Alliance is also on Facebook.
