AT OUR BEST

Bartenders battle over nogs

Spirits bright at Peel Mansion

Jennifer and Craig Grimes (from left), Janet and Jimm Hendren and Corinna and Alan Dranow attend the Christmas Gala at the Peel Mansion on Dec. 12 in Bentonville.
Jennifer and Craig Grimes (from left), Janet and Jimm Hendren and Corinna and Alan Dranow attend the Christmas Gala at the Peel Mansion on Dec. 12 in Bentonville.

Area bartenders went nog-to-nog Dec. 6 at 21c Museum Hotel and Dec. 9 at The Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville to take home the bragging rights for concocting the best egg nog. The third annual Nog Off was put on by the members of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the US Bartenders Guild and raised money for the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter and Magdalene Serenity House.

Winners were selected by guests’ ranking of the nogs on a scale from rotten egg (one egg) to golden egg (five eggs).

At a Glance

Nog Off

Who: The Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the US Bartenders Guild

What: The third annual event pitted Benton and Washington counties to see who could make the best egg nog and raise money for area charities.

When: Dec. 9

Where: The Chancellor Hotel in Fayetteville

Information: facebook.com/nwabar…

Gala at The Peel Mansion

Who: The Peel Compton Foundation

What: The annual event featured a gourmet meal paired with wines from Trinchero Family Estates.

When: Dec. 12

Where: The Peel Mansion in Bentonville

Next: Plant Sale, April 23; Gardens on Tap, May 14; Drink the Garden, June 25

Information: (479) 254-3870 or peelcompton.org

Christmas party

Who: Life Styles Inc.

What: The nonprofit organization celebrated the holidays with their annual party and dinner.

When: Dec. 17

Where: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville

Information: (479) 521-3581 or lifestylesinc.org

Top Nog honors went to Scott Baker of Tusk and Trotter in Benton County, and the Washington County winner was Tim Marshall of Sideways. Baker’s nog featured Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, and Marshall’s included Balvenie 14-year and Carribean rum.

Bartenders Casey Letellier, 28 Springs; Shelby Grigg, 21C The Hive; Andrew Crittenden, Levi’s Gastrolounge; Brett Basset, Yellow Rocket concepts (Little Rock); Heather Machell, Oven and Tap; Trevor Mansker, Ruth’s Chris; Carrie Spanton, Pressroom and Courtney Crockett, guest guild bartender of The Rebecca Grille in Kansas City put their best shakers forward in Bentonville.

Competitors at the Chancellor Hotel were Frank Holtoff, Maxine’s Taproom; Rick White, Greenhouse Grille; Josh Blackwell, consultant; Erin Von Feldt, Bordinos Restaurant and Wine Bar; Jeremy Brown, Herb and Elk; Robin Parker, Theo’s; Laura Weiderhaft, Arsaga’s at the Depot; and Jeff Cole, guest guild bartender of O Bar in Oklahoma City.

Peel Compton Foundation patrons gathered at the Peel Mansion Museum and Heritage Gardens in Bentonville for the annual Christmas Gala on Dec. 12.

The benefit featured seven wines donated by Trinchero Family Estates, which were paired with a menu created by Chartwells.

The five-course menu featured caramelized onion, fig and chevre tart, hoisin-glazed chicken satay and shrimp ensalada as hors d’oeuvres paired with Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Menage a Trois Midnight and Menage a Trois Prosecco. Wines include Napa Cellars Chardonnay, Terra d’Oro Barbera, Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Trinchero Napa Valley Meritage and Terra d’Oro Zinfandel Port.

The evening helps support programs at the Peel Mansion and Heritage Gardens and Compton Gardens and Conference Center. Offerings include public tours of the historic mansion and grounds, a children’s butterfly garden, School Days for elementary students and workshops.

Those joining the group for the annual gala included Scarlett Basore, Terrye and Patric Brosh, Betsy and Loyd Phillips, Valorie and Randy Lawson, Stacy and Rod Bigelow, Rhonda and Harrison French, Corinna and Alan Dranow, Jennifer and Craig Grimes, Becky McCoy, Nancy Martin and Alan Lewis, Janet and Jimm Hendren, Lynne and Jim Walton, Colleen Hendren, Sandy Edwards and Debi and Galen Havner.

Spirits were as jolly as Santa Claus at the Life Styles Inc. annual christmas dinner and party Dec. 15 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville.

Santa was on hand for the gathering, and Jeff Fox and Justin Jones provided live music for dancing.

Those making merry with Life Styles included Ann and Blair Johanson, Hannah Lee, Gaye Wilcox, Sandy Thompson, Lori Sedillo, Brock Gearhart, John Newman, Ellen Bruce, Debi Giles, Liz Sims, Terry Hendrix, Lori Center, Whitney Haynes and Brandon Humphries.

For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

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