CONTRIBUTED

As Pinehurst Resort and the Arts Council of Moore County plan for their annual jazz extravaganza, Heart 'n Soul of Jazz, the resort chefs have donned their thinking caps on how to wow palates during this very special Valentine's weekend event!

Scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14, at the Carolina Hotel's Cardinal Ballroom, Heart 'n Soul of Jazz will delight guests' senses with the jazz sounds of the John Pizzarelli Quartet and Broadway star Jessica Molaskey Friday, Feb. 13, and jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave's Jazz Experience Saturday, Feb. 14.

The spice begins with a special menu planned in the Carolina Dining Room for a special prix-fixe dinner menu before the concert, followed by a Meet-the-Artists Dessert Reception for a high-note ending.

"We want jazz fans to make this a special evening from beginning to end," said Ed Peckels, Pinehurst Resort's director of food and beverage. "Our own dining lineup will harmonize perfectly with the entertainment planned."

In order to accommodate the 8 p.m. concert time, the Carolina Dining Room will be open beginning at 5:30 p.m. for concert ticket holders on both Friday and Saturday.

Pinehurst Resort's Executive Chef Thierry Debailleul won't upstage the musical talent of its annual Heart 'n Soul of Jazz, but he has created a few showstoppers on the menu created exclusively for concert ticket holders in the Carolina Dining Room each night.

Thierry Debailleul brings over 20 years of experience to Pinehurst's culinary team as the new executive chef. A native of France, he is a graduate of the Ecole Jean Ferrandi Center/Ecole Superieure de Cuisine Francaise in Paris, where he mastered the art of classical and modern French cooking over three years of study. His work has spanned the globe in several Michelin-ranked and Mobil-rated restaurants and hotels.

Only those with ticket in hand can take advantage of the special $35 inclusive special pre-concert dinner seating, which includes three courses of homemade soup and choice of both salad and entre.

With a nod toward jazz's roots in New Orleans, Friday evening's menu includes a traditional seafood and sausage gumbo for starters. The iceberg salad with bleu cheese, bacon and tomato has always been a favorite in the restaurant, but those with "light" in mind will love the baby field greens with the resort's signature peach pecan vinaigrette. From there, jazz lovers can choose between pan-seared salmon, beef top sirloin Diane or a special rotisserie Cornish game hen with a green bean, apple bacon and mushroom fricassee.

Saturday, guests can enjoy a traditional and romance-inspired oyster and artichoke soup, followed by a choice of Caesar salad or the refreshing baby field greens with a silky homemade citrus dressing. The pan-seared Carolina mountain trout is sure to be the favorite this night, but steak au poivre with crispy tobacco onions or grilled pork loin chop with sweet potato and baby Portobello mushroom hash will offer incredible competition.

During the evening's entertainment, specialty drinks such as the Pinehurst Flirtini and wine by the bottle will be available.

Reservations for early seating prior to each evening's 8 p.m. concert can be made now by calling (910) 235-8434. Concert tickets must be presented at the restaurant to receiving special pricing, and can also be purchased in advance at the Pinehurst Resort Services desk.

As the last notes fade into the evening, the opulence of the Grand Ballroom will open to an overflowing dessert buffet. Irish coffee will be served to complement the symphony of sweets, including cherries jubilee, peach flamb, brown sugar spice rum cake, pecan pralines, Bourbon Street pecan pie, Death by Chocolate torte, bananas foster, a crepes station with flamb strawberries, chocolate turtle cake, Carolina Plantation rice pudding, and more.

Each of the desserts is prepared from scratch in Pinehurst's award-winning pastry kitchen.

"We wanted the desserts to have just as much drama as the music," said Todd Richter, Pinehurst Resort's award-winning executive pastry chef. "Guests will not leave without having every sense satisfied during these two nights."

The major sponsors of this two-day event are Pinehurst Resort, Progress Energy, American Airlines, and Belk. Other sponsorship is provided by Wachovia, First Bank, and Lyne's Furniture Gallery.

For tickets and information on the Heart 'n Soul of Jazz, call the Pinehurst Resort Services Desk at (910) 235-8415. For more information on events presented by the Arts Council, call 910-692-ARTS (2787) or visit www.mooreart.org.