Recently, Vibrant Occasions Catering presented FUSION360°, an intimate culinary experience at Rusty Tractor Vineyards that took 15 Arkansas tastemakers on a journey through international fusion cuisine. The evening began with three passed hors d’oeuvres served during the welcome reception: East Meets West Pork Belly, Bayou Wanderer Taco, and Mediterranean Embrace Dates, all paired with carefully selected wines. Guests then moved into The Barrel Room for five plated courses representing Italian, Lebanese, Indian, Turkish, and French traditions blended with American flavors, with each course accompanied by coordinated wine pairings, country-specific floral designs, music, and lighting. The event supported Arkansas Foodbank in recognition of Hunger Action Month.
The event was a collaborative effort featuring Rusty Tractor Vineyards as co-host and venue, Meredith Events for planning and design, VINO Distribution providing wine and presentation with François and Kellee Guilloux, Rose of Sharon Floral Design Studio creating country-specific floral design, Central Arkansas Entertainment with DJ Jellybean providing music and lighting, Weaver Films capturing videography, and Arkansas Foodbank as our charitable partner. While Lori Sparkman Photography served as the official event photographer, we’re sharing images captured by Devin Colin Alanis of Vibrant Occasions for this initial blog post.
Understanding Fusion Cuisine
Fusion cuisine is the art of blending culinary traditions from different cultures to create something entirely new while honoring the essence of each tradition. It’s not simply mixing random international ingredients. It’s about understanding the soul of each culture’s food and finding harmony between them. Chef Serge Krikorian’s approach to fusion cuisine is deeply personal, informed by his Lebanese heritage and his experience living in America. Born in Lebanon and having moved to the United States as an adult, Chef Serge naturally understands how cultures can meet and create something extraordinary together. His ability to honor traditional flavors while incorporating American ingredients and techniques has become his signature, allowing him to create dishes that tell stories of cultural connection and shared experience.
The Menu: Dish Names and Inspiration
Welcome Bites
East Meets West Pork Belly
Crispy pork belly glazed in sweet and savory sauce, served atop sushi rice with refreshing Asian slaw
The name “East Meets West” symbolizes the cultural exchange between continents: Asian culinary traditions meeting American preparation. This dish represents the fusion of Asian-inspired elements (sushi rice, Asian slaw) with American pork belly, creating a literal bridge between Eastern and Western flavors on a single plate.
Bayou Wanderer Taco
Cajun shrimp taco topped with Bayou Bengal Sauce and lime slaw
“Bayou” references Louisiana’s Cajun culture and waterways, while “Wanderer” suggests the journey of flavors traveling from Louisiana bayous into new territory. This dish fuses Cajun spices with Mexican taco format, representing how American regional cuisines can cross borders and create something unexpected.
Mediterranean Embrace Dates
Medjool dates stuffed with creamy Chevre, wrapped in applewood-smoked bacon, and baked to perfection
“Embrace” symbolizes the welcoming nature of Mediterranean hospitality. Dates are a staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, and this dish represents the fusion of Mediterranean flavors with American bacon preparation, a perfect example of how different traditions can come together.
Global Harmony Collection
Southern Serenade Caprese (Italian-American Fusion)
Sweet Georgia peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and creamy burrata topped with fresh basil and balsamic glaze
“Serenade” evokes the romantic, musical culture of Italy, while “Southern” references Georgia peaches, blending the American South with Italian tradition. This dish takes the classic Italian caprese and elevates it with Southern American ingredients, proving that regional American flavors can enhance Mediterranean classics.
Beirut Sunset Trout (Lebanese-American Fusion)
Oven-roasted Delta rainbow trout served with Arabian chimichurri and tahini sauce
“Beirut” honors Lebanon’s vibrant capital city, while “Sunset” references the beautiful Mediterranean coastline and evening dining culture. This dish holds special meaning as it combines Lebanese flavors (tahini, Arabian chimichurri) with American Delta trout, reflecting Chef Serge’s own Lebanese-American journey and his ability to honor both cultures authentically.
Spice Route Pot Pie (Indian-American Fusion)
Curried chicken pot pie with flaky pie crust and creamy curried chicken filling
“Spice Route” references the historic trade routes that brought Indian spices to the world, representing the journey of flavors from India to America. This dish takes traditional American comfort food (pot pie) and infuses it with Indian curry spices, showing how warming spices can transform familiar dishes into something adventurous yet approachable.
Ottoman Harvest Ribs (Turkish-American Fusion)
Braised short ribs marinated in aromatic seasonings and slow-braised, finished with pomegranate molasses, crushed pistachio, and sumac onions
“Ottoman” honors the rich Turkish Ottoman Empire heritage, while “Harvest” suggests the abundance of Turkish cuisine and agricultural traditions. American-style ribs are elevated with Turkish flavors (pomegranate molasses, sumac), demonstrating how Middle Eastern ingredients can add sophistication and complexity to classic American barbecue.
Bourbon Boulevard Tart (French-American Fusion)
Apple tart draped with Kentucky Bourbon Sauce
“Boulevard” evokes the elegance of French avenues and café culture, while “Bourbon” represents quintessential American Kentucky bourbon. This dessert showcases classic French tart technique enhanced with American bourbon flavors, bringing the evening full circle with a sweet conclusion that bridges two beloved culinary traditions.
The Power of Storytelling Through Food
Each dish name at FUSION360° told a story of cultural connection, representing the journey of flavors across continents and the harmony created when different culinary traditions meet and create something new together. This approach to fusion cuisine, honoring traditions while creating something innovative, is what sets Vibrant Occasions apart in creating memorable culinary experiences that go beyond just serving food. We create stories, connections, and moments that guests remember long after the last bite.
FUSION360° Impact: Supporting Hunger Action Month
Beyond creating an unforgettable culinary experience, FUSION360° served a greater purpose. The event supported Arkansas Foodbank in recognition of Hunger Action Month, collecting non-perishable donations to help address food insecurity in our state. Arkansas ranks first nationally for food insecurity, making this partnership especially meaningful.
The food donations collected at FUSION360°, combined with Vibrant Occasions’ ongoing commitment to reducing food waste and supporting our community, contributed to providing 400 meals in the month of September. We believe that big or small, every effort can make a difference. When we gather around the table, we have the opportunity not just to share incredible food, but to ensure that others in our community have access to meals as well.
This is what fusion truly means: bringing people together across cultures, experiences, and circumstances to create something better than what we could accomplish alone.
Photos in this blog post by Devin Colin Alanis.
