There are moments in our catering journey that remind us why we do what we do – why every carefully crafted dish, every thoughtful menu detail, and every flawless service moment matters. The Wolfe Street Foundation’s 26th Annual Red Carpet Recovery Gala was absolutely one of those moments.
The evening was held at The Venue at Westwind in North Little Rock, and we had the profound honor of serving nearly 500 guests at an event that raised an incredible $430,000 for addiction recovery services right here in Arkansas. This was a celebration of resilience, hope, and the incredible strength of the human spirit.
More Than Just a Menu
When we first sat down with the Wolfe Street Foundation team to plan this alcohol-free gala, we knew we needed to create something special. Every element of our menu was designed to complement the evening’s powerful message of recovery and renewal.
We featured our signature blackened chicken breast with Cajun cream sauce – a dish that’s become a favorite at our events for its bold flavors and elegant presentation. Paired with buttery mashed potatoes and perfectly roasted broccoli, it created the kind of comforting yet sophisticated dining experience that allows guests to focus on what truly matters.
Our culinary team also prepared thoughtful vegan options, including stuffed acorn squash filled with P. Allen Smith’s Ralston Farms’ Harvest Blend Rice. We believe that great catering means ensuring every guest feels welcome and cared for, regardless of their dietary needs.
The evening began with fresh garden salad and warm dinner rolls, and concluded with our alternating dessert presentation of crème brûlée and strawberry cheesecake shooters, because every celebration deserves a sweet ending.
Powerful Stories, Meaningful Moments
What made this evening truly unforgettable wasn’t just the food, it was witnessing the courage of keynote speaker Kevin Kelly, the Emmy Award-winning Fox16 news anchor, as he shared his complete story of addiction and recovery publicly for the first time. The room was completely silent, hanging on every word.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin was honored with the 2025 Recovery Leadership Award for his work addressing the opioid epidemic in our state. Watching him accept that recognition while surrounded by hundreds of supporters of recovery was incredibly moving.
The specialty mocktails curated by Mocktail Mo added an elegant touch that perfectly complemented the alcohol-free nature of the event, proving that celebration doesn’t require alcohol…it requires community, purpose, and hope.
Why This Work Matters to Us
In Chef Serge’s words, “Being chosen as the exclusive caterer for such an important cause is both an honor and a responsibility we take seriously.” The Wolfe Street Foundation’s mission of providing hope and support for individuals in recovery aligns perfectly with our values of community service and making every occasion truly vibrant and meaningful.
From our initial menu planning sessions to the dessert service, every detail was crafted with intention. We wanted guests to feel completely cared for so they could focus entirely on supporting recovery and celebrating the incredible work being done in our community.
Thank You
To the Wolfe Street Foundation, thank you for trusting us with your most important fundraising event of the year. To every guest who attended and supported this incredible cause, thank you for showing up and showing what community looks like.
And to our amazing Vibrant Occasions team who worked tirelessly to ensure every plate was perfect and every guest felt welcome – you made this evening possible.
The trust that organizations place in us to execute their most important events is something we never take lightly. From our mobile kitchen to our traditional catering services, we’re honored to be part of Arkansas’s most meaningful celebrations.
Ready to make your next event vibrant and meaningful? Contact Mary at mary@vibrantoccasionscatering.com or call 501-408-2111 to start planning your perfect occasion.