Craving unique food experiences this December? The Lightner Museum welcomes world-renowned food historian and James Beard-nominated author, Francine Segan, to St. Augustine for a series of lectures, tastings, and a Gilded Age dining experience that is sure to be memorable. Don’t worry, we will leave the cold tongue entrée and meat gelatins off the menu.
Ms. Segan will host three unique events during her visit to St. Augustine. The events are part of Lightner Museum’s fall programming schedule, which seeks to highlight the Dressing Downton™ exhibition.
The first event will take place on December 13 at 10:30am when Ms. Segan will present The Art of Dining: “The Table at Downton Abbey,” at the Casa Monica Hotel Ballroom. Discover the elaborate etiquette, enchanting entertainments, and dishes Ms. Patmore would have been proud to send to the table. Vivid descriptions of Lord Grantham-esque dinner parties, cotillions, and elegant picnics will transport you back in time, while you learn all the popular toasts of the era and when it’s proper to remove your gloves or tip your hat. The event includes a trivia contest on the uses for now-obsolete objects that Mr. Carson would be shocked to find you couldn’t use properly. This event is sponsored in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, Casa Monica Hotel, and Visit Florida. Tickets to the event are $20 for museum members, $25 for non-members.
The second event will be held later that same day at 6pm in the Historic Pool Area of the Lightner Museum. Ms. Segan will present a special dinner, “Gilded Age Dining at the Alcazar Hotel.” Join the Lightner Museum for an evening of gilded elegance and sophisticated sipping as Ms. Francine Segan and Sommelier, Mr. Anthony Porcellini, of Carrera Wine Cellar, guide guests through a 19th century-inspired menu and wine pairing. The four-course menu has been specially designed by the chefs of Culinary Outfitters and drawn from archived Alcazar Hotel menus dating from the 1890s through the 1920s. Each course will be accompanied by a specially selected wine to enhance the dining experience.
Ms. Segan will give an introduction to the dining trends and expectations of the Gilded Age and will be assisted by Mr. Porcellini in explaining how the wine is meant to bring out the inherent flavors of each dish. As French wines were a common theme in the 19th century, so will Mr. Porcellini carefully choose wines derived from this period. This event is sponsored in part by Bank of America/U.S. Trust/Merrill Lynch, Publix Super Markets Charities, Carrera Wine Cellar, and Visit Florida. Tickets to the event are $125 for members, $150 for non-members.
On December 14 at 10:30am, Ms. Segan will host the final event, “Munch, Mingle, and Matriculate: A History of Chocolate,”, in the Casa Monica Hotel Ballroom. Discover chocolate’s history, starting with its New World origins. Journey to Europe and learn how it evolved from a grainy bitter brew into the treat we know and love today. Learn how chocolate goes from bean to bar as you are guided through a tasting of various types of fine chocolates. Discover the roles Christopher Columbus and Casanova played; how decadent 17th-century European high society experienced chocolate; and how candy is made today. This event is sponsored in part by the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council, Casa Monica Hotel, and Visit Florida. Tickets to the event are $25 for museum members, $30 for non-members.
Francine Segan programs are open to the public. Additional information can be found and tickets to the lectures and gilded age dinner can be purchased at lightnermuseum.org/Francine-
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