WTCI has provided trusted, quality PBS programming to the Tennessee Valley since 1970 and has hosted a unique, annual fundraising event, the Masterpiece Experience wine dinner for over a decade. This year’s special event at the Easy Bistro & Bar on Monday, March 11 and will feature a four-course meal, exclusive to the event, specially prepared by James Beard-nominated Chef Erik Niel.
Tickets are $175 each for this elegant dining experience and special wines will complement each course. Seating is limited for this special event and tickets can be purchased online at wtciTV.org/wine. Individual, seating is available but the Chef’s Table and corporate seating are sold out. This annual fundraising event is sponsored by Barnett & Company and First Tennessee with proceeds supporting the programs and outreach that support lifetime learning in the Tennessee Valley.
Foodies will revel in the menu created by renowned chef Erik Niel. Seafood, quality meats and locally-sourced vegetables have always been critical to the restaurant’s success and that focus is reflected in this year’s menu with a trout mousse, savory delicacies like “hot” chicken skin and intriguing complements like a black chestnut demi glace, braised Bear Creek Farm short ribs, rhubarb chiffon cake and crème anglaise buttercream and candied pistachios. Erik is a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef and was noted “Chef of the Year” by the Tennessee Tourism & Hospitality Association in 2016.
Located in what was formerly the world’s first Coca Cola bottling plant, Easy Bistro & Bar is one of the most well regarded restaurants in Chattanooga, has a nationally recognized wine and craft cocktail program and is one of the only raw bars in Tennessee that features seafood from all three coasts. The Niels launched the Scenic City Supper Club as a guest chef series to showcase Chattanooga’s emerging restaurant scene and dedicated community of chefs. Erik has been featured in local and national print and film outlets, including Southern Living, the PBS program, Simply Ming and the WTCI series Greater Chattanooga.
This year’s silent auction will amaze guests, featuring jewelry from Dayle May Jewelers, art from George Cress, Missy Peirano, and Julie Turner, elegance from Embellish, experiences from the Chattanooga Airport Authority, Chattanooga Football Club, the Read House, Black Creek Golf Club, the Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and Southern Soul Yoga. Tasty treats from Main Street Meats and Easy Bistro complement special Chattanooga and PBS-centric opportunities and experiences, with proceeds supporting programming and outreach throughout the Tennessee Valley.
WTCI, the Tennessee Valley's community PBS station, reaches a 35-county region and serves over 400,000 households with programming, events and educational outreach that educate, engage and inspire a lifetime of learning and exploration. For scheduling, programming and membership information, visit the station online at wtciTV.org.