Melange of the Mountains 2011 Culinary Masterpiece

The 2011 Melange of the Mountains put on by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce is the biggest culinary competition in

The Winning Gateway Team with Mayor Brown

Haywood County. In its 7th year over 200 people enjoyed culinary delights from 12 restaurants competing in 10 different categories; Soup, Salad, Meat, Fowl, Seafood, Vegetarian, Dessert, Peoples Choice, Rookie Award and Best in Show.  The competition took place in none other than the historic Gateway Club’s ballroom.

The Gateway Club led by Chef de Cuisine Daniel Morris placed…

First – Soup – Smoked Corn and Lobster

First – Salad – Grilled Romaine with Rib Eye

First – Dessert – 3 Way Latte

Second – Vegetarian – Carrot Cakes with Chai Syrup

Third – Fowl – Seared Duck Breast with Orange Chipotle Sauce, Potato Hash, Wilted Greens and Ramp Chips

Third – Seafood – Bacon and Blue Mussels

Be sure to congratulate Chef Daniel and his team on their accomplishments and be sure to look for some of  these items on the menu in the near future. You can currently try the Bacon and Blue Mussels on the menu right now!

Corporate Sponsors are not just members…

Businesses have it hard enough these days, but there are always a few who are willing to extend a hand to not only benefit you but themselves as

well, that is of course how business gets done!  The Gateway Club is closed to restaurant business on Mondays so we have started a Facebook campaign to get our loyal followers to patronize our beloved corporate sponsors.

Why become a corporate sponsor?  Well why not?  Not only do we put you on our website, but we also spotlight your business on our Facebook page.  Also once you have paid the initiation fee your employees can join without having to pay the initiation fee.  This then becomes an added perk for wanting to work for your business and builds loyalty among your staff.

Our meeting and events space is unparalleled anywhere in the area, and our corporate partners get full access to this space for staff meetings, presentations, hiring, or the company Christmas Party.  We invite you to see who are current corporate partners are, maybe you want to become one or stop by and see them.  Be sure to tell them you heard about their business here!

You can also watch a great segment on entrepreneurship below that features not only us, but two of our corporate sponsors as well.

http://www-tc.pbs.org/video/media/swf/PBSPlayer.swf

Watch the full episode. See more NC Now.

I’m Going to the Chapel and Having My Reception at The Gateway!

Imagine a 1920s era Grand Ballroom in a building steeped in tradition, a stage in the back with the band playing your song, a towering chandelier, tables with ornate flower arrangements, a dance floor in the middle, and food that takes your breath away.  This is not something out of a dream, it is an attainable dream wedding in the Grand Ballroom of the Gateway Club.

With Spring in the air and wedding season upon us, I would like to introduce you to the immense possibilities of a wedding and reception at The Gateway Club.  We have many options to fit any budget, and the Ballroom is also open to members and non-members.  Our head of events Suzanne Tinsley can help you plan and execute your dream wedding, call her at 828-456-6789 to reserve the Ballroom for your special day.  Rain, shine, or snow the Grand Ballroom is sure to please.

These are just a few options for the Ballroom.  The Grand Ballroom is an exquisite space to host an event and will accommodate 25 to 250 for a reception and comfortably seat up to 200 of you closest friends and family for a more formal sit down dinner.

Call now to reserve The Grand Ballroom, your special is waiting at The Gateway Club.

Meet YOUR Sommelier

The Gateway Club prides itself on being able to provide exceptional service to its members.  Not only through meals that tantalize your taste buds, but also through one on one personal service.  One of those personal services is a Sommelier, Marshall Kirksey.  His knowledge is vast and he brings a quiet steady nature that will make you feel a part of what you are drinking.

Originally from Nashville, TN, Marshall vacationed in the mountains of Western North Carolina as a child and again when in college. He had theopportunity to spend a summer at Lake Junaluska and became “hooked” to the area. Marshall has lived in Western Carolina for almost eleven years.

Marshall’s history with wine began with his father who is a wine collector. He has been around wine most of his life and worked at a wine shop for five and a half years. Marshall holds a 1st Level Certification from the International Court of Sommeliers and created a Wine Spectator Award Winning wine list. Marshall’s experience provides a major contribution to The Gateway Club.

You can request Marshall to help you navigate our wine list most nights.  We even have one night dedicated to wine…Viva Vino is every Thursday starting at 6pm.  Marshall chooses four wines each week for you to try.  The cost is $5 and we give you heavy pours of each wine as well as Marshall to guide you through the flavors, smells and lingo (such as flavor forward) that only the best Sommelier can provide.

See you at The Gateway.

Close your eyes and see, Sensory Dinner

Close you eyes and see is our sensory dinner on 3/14/11.

What is a sensory dinner you ask?  It is when you dine either in the dark or blindfolded.  The purpose is to take away our most used sense, sight.  By removing the sight sense all other senses are heightened…sounds, smells, tastes and touch are all taken to a new level.

Being blindfolded be sure to wear clothes you do not mind spilling on.  Remember pin the tail on the donkey?

We will be serving a 5 course meal that is designed to heighten your awareness of the meal’s flavors, smells and textures.  Throughout the evening you are blindfolded while dining, and have no prior knowledge of the dishes or beverages on the menu.  Seating is limited and we ask that you make reservations in parties of 4 or 6.

Dinner begins at 7:00pm (please arrive 15 minutes early)

Cost – $39 per person and open to the public

 

Main Street is not just our location…

Main Street is not just our location, but our newest wine selection as well.  The Gateway Club is located directly off Main St. in Waynesville, NC on Church St in the old Masonic Lodge that is steeped in tradition.  To continue that tradition we are introducing The Main Street Winery by Trinchero Family Estates as our newest wine selection.

The Family-owned Main Street Winery in Napa Valley has provided wine lovers with delicious wines for over 60 years. The grapes are sourced primarily from the winery’s own Napa Valley, North Coast and Santa Barbara County vineyards.  Our Main Street Winery collection includes their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir.

The Sauvignon Blanc combines the tropical, melon aromas of warm weather grapes with the racy, citrus flavors found when grown in cooler climates.  This wine is bright, aromatic, and remarkably refreshing.  It goes perfect with our Seared Scallops small plate.

We recommend the Chardonnay with our Roasted Pork, the smooth and elegant wine is selected from the very best grapes from premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The result is a wine that is balanced and beautiful, with tempting aromas of ripe pear, tropical fruit flavors and a hint of toasted almonds, and the silken finish is accented with spice notes.

The Cabernet Sauvignon uses fruit influenced by the warmer weather of Lake and Santa Barbara Counties and gives the wine its fruit forward characteristics, while the cooler climate of Monterey lends balance and acidity. It is a wine that is deep, dense, and ripe with flavors of black cherry, plum, and a hint of earthiness, a great match with our NY Strip.

Main Street Merlot is well paired with the Gouda Chicken.  The grapes are harvested from some of California’s finest vineyards in Monterey, Santa Barbara and Napa Counties where the fruit develops rich, lush flavors. The wine is well balanced, with juicy black cherry and plum flavors and just a hint of vanilla and cedar on the finish.

A popular wine is the Pinot Noir, with its influence of the cooler region of southern Napa Valley, where breezes from the San Pablo bay are sleek and supple on the palate.  It is brimming with ripe black cherry and mocha flavors complemented by aromas of cedar, spice, and vanilla, all ready to be paired with our Wild Mushroom Ravioli or Roasted Quail.

Whether your wine is paired for your meal by our Sommelier Marshall or just your favorite varietal, the Trinchero Family Estates Main Street Winery Collection is sure to heighten the senses and dazzle the palate.

“Wine rejoices the heart of man and joy is the mother of all virtues.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1771

Meet your creator…Of your meal that is!

The main part of the Social District (see last weeks post) is the dining room.  The main part of the entire dining experience of The Gateway Club is, of course, the food.  The Gateway Club is proud to boast over 67 years of culinary experience!  Including a recent win during the Fire and Ice competition Star Chef Challenge in Waynesville, NC.  The winning dish was a Mountain Fish and Chips using Pumpkin Ale & sweet potato battered Sunburst Trout with sweet potato fries and sweet pea & malt vinegar purée.

 

The creator of our ever changing menu and award winning dishes is Wayesville, NCs own Daniel Morris, Executive Chef/Chef de Cuisine

 

Born and raised in Waynesville, Daniel is proud to be a truly local chef.  He first started cooking while attending Appalachian State University in Boone,  NC and realized that the restaurant industry is where he belonged.  Daniel left ASU to attend and graduate from AB Tech Culinary School in Asheville.  The Gateway Club was truly blessed to have Daniel join our staff in August 2010.

To learn more about The Gateway Club and see our ever changing menu click here.

 

 

The Districts

Welcome to The Gateway Club!  We are Waynesville, NC’s premiere private fine dining, social and events club.  At the Gateway Club we have three distinct “districts”.

The Social District is our fine dining and lounge area.  Our award winning Chef de Cuisine Daniel Morris and our Sommelier Marshall Kirksey create master pieces in your mouth.  Gerry’s Place Professional Hour is our gathering place for after work before you head home or to start out your night.  We have daily drink specials and food specials from 5pm-6:30pm Tuesday through Saturday.

The Business District is on our second floor and a place to gather as a group.  Whether that is for a business meeting, birthday party of baby shower the business district becomes an extension of your living/meeting room.

The Arts District is located on the third floor in our Grand Ballroom.  Here we hold weddings, dances, opera night, and whatever we or our guests can think of to create memorable experiences.  It truly is a place to create a work of art.

Each week we will be taking you on a picturesque tour of The Gateway Club District experiences.  We invite you to follow along on our blog or join us at The Gateway Club to create memories of you own.