Why I Love Hosting Our Carl House Wine Dinners!!

    • There are a ‘host’ of reasons, but mostly for the fellowship amongst friends, my passion for meeting new people and for creating an environment for my guests where they feel tended to, cared for and loved!  It’s THAT simple.

      My father adored fine dining and with my background in theatre, hosting events complete with luscious food and great wines, is a natural fit.  Add to that the opportunity for dancing and I’m in absolute heaven.  I’m thankful to boast a team that knows how to tend to the details, who love to pamper our guests, have a savvy for colors and design and who smile a LOT!

      We have a guest chef this month, Chef John Huff.  Below is his resume and beyond that, our menu with wines for next Friday. Please RSVP by next Tuesday at 4pm.  I promise a GREAT time….perhaps an ‘adventure’ and look SO forward to you being with me and with all of us at Carl House!  Warmly, BB Webb

    P.S.  I’ll be giving away a piece of my new BB Brand Jewelry to one of our lucky wine dinner participants.  Please, join us!
      For Chef John Huff, using local resources of a region to inspire what he creates is his driving force.  A Winder native, Huff didn’t find his way into the kitchen until graduating from Furman University with a B.S. degree in Health and Exercise Science.  While managing a kitchen supply store in Greenville, SC, he began assisting local chefs and stumbled upon his passion.  His eagerness and desire to learn found him attending Johnson and Wales Culinary School in Charlotte.  Within 9 months, Huff had obtained an associates degree in Culinary Arts. From Charlotte, Huff headed south to Charleston, SC where he began working at the Charleston Grill under renowned chef Bob Waggoner.  In 2007, Huff joined the Woodlands Inn, South Carolina’s only 5-star, 5-diamond restaurant, where he worked his way up from line-cook to sous chef.  In 2009, Huff’s desire to own his own restaurant brought him back to Barrow County. 

      After working at the Georgia Club as sous chef for two years, Huff and his wife Lydia opened the Spitfire Restaurant in early 2011.  The casual atmosphere and his laid back attitude allows Huff to meet new people and share stories while cooking great food.  Located at the Barrow County Airport, the Spitfire is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and supper and Sunday’s for lunch.

      MENU

      Hand Pass

      Poema Cava
      Yellow Tomato Gazpacho Shooter with Sautéed Shrimp
      Black Pepper Biscuit with Apple Butter and Brie

      First Course

      Concannon Pinot Noir
      Crispy Pork Belly with Corn Milk Red Mule Polenta and Braised Greens

      Main Course

      Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon
      Cranberry Marinated Flat Iron Steak, Short Rib Potato Gratin, Roasted Cipollini Onions and Chimichurri Sauce

      Dessert

      Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato D’Asti
      Wild Flower Honey Panna Cotta with Trio of Peaches
  • When is Our Wine Pairing Dinner??
  • August 24th, 2012 – 7:30p.m.
  • $46.50 per person plus service and tax
  • Please RSVP by Tuesday, August 20th by calling 770.586.0095 or emailing us at info@carlhouse.com
  • photos by Sarah Eubanks Photography

Wonderful, memorable and stress-free wedding day

Below is a testimonial from a wedding event hosted by Carl House this past weekend.

 My son, Justin Kenney and his bride, Jennifer Peterson Kenney were married at the Carl House today.

 I don’t know where to begin to thank you for the personal service we received.  Dawn, our coordinator, was an absolute phenomenon.  She was everywhere and right there when you needed her.  The serving staff was amazing.  We were asked what our beverage choice was for immediately following the ceremony.  As soon as we walked out of the “hall” after the ceremony, our drinks were waiting and we were able to go straight to pictures without stopping or waiting.  

The personal service was above reproach.  Each staff member was attentive, helpful and willing to go out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable, memorable wedding day!!!

I will be “singing your praises” to everyone I know and recommending your venue to ANYONE who will listen.

During this time of customer “no-service”, your facility and staff are a shining example of how guests should be treated.  You are so lucky to have such a knowledgeable, caring staff.  They truly are an asset to the Carl House.

Once again, thank you so much for such a wonderful, memorable and stress-free wedding day.

Lesa Lancaster,  Mother of the Groom

Thank you, Lesa for your praises about our service.  It was our pleasure to provide Carl House’s excellent service to you, your family and friends.

 Our Carl House team is trained to serve our clients in a unified, detailed and joyful manner. Our brides have grown to expect hands on, personal attention throughout the entire planning process for their special day.  They have the devotion and support of our professional Carl House team every step of the way. We are focused on making every celebration an extraordinary, memorable, event or as put by Lesa a wonderful, memorable and stress-free wedding day.


Now that was FUN! Friends, wine, food…..tra la!!!

I adore hosting our Carl House wine pairing dinners and want to thank Georgia Crowne and Michael Gibbs for sharing his knowledge throughout our several courses and flights of fine wine.

Chef Max served a delicious passed appetizer on a crisp crostini with prosciutto, goat cheese, peach and my favorite, arugula, that nutty and delicious green! My preference in wines goes more toward the reds, but Michael served up a delicious, crisp, fresh Ferrari Carano, Bella Luce Chardonnay. I’m now a white wine convert! Who knew.

Louie Londono of DJ Louie Productions did a marvelous job of keeping the guests moving and shaking on the dance floor between courses. And to that fun group of ladies on the town, (their husbands dropped them off and acted as designated drivers), we hope you’ll bring your energy and fun to our NEXT wine dinner June 29th, at our new time, 7pm. You looked gorgeous and ooooh, those dance moves. And weren’t those glow sticks fun!

I had a lovely note from Kirsten, “I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for a great time last Friday night. We had the opportunity to attend the wine paring dinner and it was fabulous! The food, the group of people, the staff, the DJ – we were so impressed. We will be back….if you can handle us.” Kirsten, Dawn, and Gini

Oh, we can handle them, for sure!! Did I mention fun….fun, fun!

Tommy Jennings, (yes our Barrow County President) and his vivacious and ALWAYS (here we go again), FUN bride, Danette, attended with family. We had some brides and grooms attending who are considering Carl House as their venue (update, they did book with us) and our Valentine engagement couple, Chris and Adam sat at my table. (Little did I know that Chris is ALSO a mountain bike person as am I)!!

And everso thoughtful Heather Hurlbert attended with her delightful husband Robert, (and she brought me one of her outrageously scrumptious cakes with pecans and oatmeal). We’re delighted to add her to our roster of cake bakers and are pleased that she’ll be at our next bridal event July 29th from 1-3pm.

And speaking of dessert, (which following a tasty Braised Beef Brisket with Onions, Mushroom, and Balsamic Vinegar accompanied by Potatoes Au Gratin), Chef’s Chocolate Lava Cake was a sensation match with my NEW favorite wine, Truffles Merlot with hints of chocolate. What a tasty treat for SURE!

Thank you everyone for your kind comments, we hope to have you back in June!

BB Webb

“We had a wonderful time tonight. Really enjoyed the food and thought that the wine was excellent.” Rodney and Leslie Smith

I’m so happy that Donna and Steve joined us again….Donna ALWAYS with that great smile!

“We had a great time and always look forward to attending events at Carl House.” Donna Everett and Steve Lund

Don’t miss out on the food, wine and dancing at our next June wine dinner. For more information go to http://www.carlhouse.com/events.php. Please call 770-586-0095 for details and reservations.


Carl House Bridal Event Video

New video of the February 2012 Bridal Event


Another terrific bridal event…..thanks to EVERYONE!

With over 100 guests in attendance the Carl House Bridal Event was a spectacular success thanks to our fabulous vendor partners, great turn out and weather beyond compare.   Our guests had the opportunity to visit with some of the best vendors in the industry, tour Carl House, meet the Carl House team and enjoy our chef’s culinary treats.

Carl House Ladies> Lindy, Monika, Kelsey and Christy!

Purple and silver....all the rage!

We would like to extend a special thanks to the vendors who participated, all listed below.  If you missed our February Bridal Event, please join us at the next one July 29th, a Sunday from 1-3pm.

Shutterkiss Photography

Forever Endeavors Photography

Angelica Londono Photography

Sarah Eubanks Photography

Sugar Kneads

DJ Tod

Spectrum Entertainment Events

Courtyard by Marriott – Buford

DJ Louie

Hampton Inn and Homewood – Sugarloaf

All Faith Weddings

Complete Music

Candies By Candace

Springhill Suites by Marriott

Black Tie Events

Dania Lane, Harpist

Diana Pand, Pianist

Leslie Smith, Mary Kay Cosmetics

Twilight Limousine


 


Please Note: Our Sunday Bridal Event AND…our few email challenges.

Our apologies for any inconvenience with contacting the team at Carl House.  We’ve been having a few email difficulties which are in the process of being remedied.  If you aren’t receiving an immediate response to an email from us, please call us directly at 770-586-0095 or for more immediate response, go to our ‘About Us’ page and call one of the cell numbers listed.  Again, so sorry for any inconvenience.

And, a reminder, our wonderful Bridal Event is happening this Sunday February 26th from 1-3pm.  Meet some of our favorite vendor partners, taste our Chef’s culinary delights, meet the Carl House team and win some TERRIFIC giveaway prizes!  Go to our Upcoming Events page for details and call the office please to reserve your spot!!  Our office hours are from 9-4pm.  We hope to see you on Sunday!  With thanks and appreciation! Owner, BB Webb


Valentine Day Celebration at Carl House

Carl House definitely knows how to host a dinner party and this year’s Valentines Dinner was no exception.  The house was full of love on Valentine’s Day as couples celebrated their love in the Carl House Grand Ballroom.

Sean Van Meter, a local pianist, (scheduled to play this year at the White House) is an award winning pianist who played and set the mood for the this romantic evening.   Talented beyond words, this young man began taking lessons and playing the piano at age 4.  Having made his debut appearance in Italy last year, he has been ‘wowing’ audience with his incredible talent, for years!  We’re eager to watch where his talent will take him!

Love was definitely in the air for one couple who celebrated their Valentine Day at Carl House.  Adam Elkin, down on one knee, proposed to Chris Ferguson.  The room exploded in applause for the good fortune of these two fine individuals for having found love together!

The good news, she said yes! The team at Carl House wishes Adam and Chris the best of luck in life and love.


Gwinnett Business Journal Spotlights Carl House Off-Site Culinary!


 

Grand and Glorious the Carl House Way!

photo by Bowman Photography.

Like a multi-faceted gemstone, Carl House delivers brilliantly from every angle. Owner BB Webb’s creative inspiration continues to place this award-winning special events and wedding venue in a category all its own.

A genuine piece of Georgia history, Carl House features lavish interiors and a luxury ballroom to accompany its many other amenities on four acres of pristine grounds surrounded by original pastures. Wildly popular for weddings, Carl House also attracts corporate attention for board meetings, training sessions, retreats, annual dinners and more.

New for 2011, Carl House has launched an offsite catering service to complement onsite event packages. Its fresh regional, seasonal cuisine with a southern flair is making quite a statement. Offerings include holiday menu options and packages, buffet trays and box lunches for corporate meetings, full buffets for weddings and other social events throughout the Barrow, Athens and Gwinnett areas.

In July, Webb was chosen into the coveted ranks of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), a worldwide society of women dedicated to creating a culture in the community that fosters excellence and promotes the achievement of women in culinary professions through educational and charitable activities. She has worked closely with Executive Chef Michael Deihl from East Lake Golf Club and the team at the benchmark catering firm, Affairs To Remember to develop the new Carl House off-site catering brand.

Personalized attention from the Carl House experts make every customer shine. The ‘wow’ factor comes into play with newly developed trend-setting in-house wedding services such as a photo booth, candy station and gourmet coffee selection at receptions, added to Carl House floral creations, culinary expertise and overall ambiance.

Webb is pleased to report that, “This has been the best business year we’ve experienced since opening in 2003.”

Carl House has holiday festivities planned and hosts wine dinners throughout the year. Looking to the future, Webb is in discussion with investors for ways to expand the Carl House experience with a hotel and shops on its sweeping 30 acres. With a bold, clear vision, Webb and Carl House promise to deliver: Extraordinary. Memorable. Events.

Find Carl House at 1176 Atlanta Highway in Auburn, Ga. For more information visit www.CarlHouse.com, email info@carlhouse.com, or call 770-586-0095.

 

 

 

 


Sarah Eubanks: The Top 5 Photo Spots at Carl House

There are so many wonderful picture spots around the grounds at Carl House! It can be difficult for brides and their photographers to discern where they want to take family pictures and where the best bride and groom spots are. One of our favorite photographers and former Carl House employee, Sarah Eubanks, recommends her top five locations around the property:

1.  Front of the House. In Carl House’s case, please judge the book by its cover!  The front facade of Carl House is classic and beautiful, which can be expected in every nook and cranny of the gorgeous venue.  This shot is a must!

Photo Credit: Sarah Eubanks Photography

2.  Staircase. What is more elegant than a grand staircase?  This is one of my favorite spots to shoot bridal portraits.  The stairs allow me to photograph from so many different angles, and the nearby window always provides the most beautiful light.

Photo Credit: Sarah Eubanks Photography

3.  Brick. Ok, I know bricks can be cliche, but the brickwork at Carl House is so unique.  The bricks have been repurposed from old structures, so there is an imperfection that adds gorgeous texture to the background of an image.

Photo Credit: Sarah Eubanks Photography

4.  Window. The gentle north light that graces the second floor window at the front of Carl House makes for a gorgeous sillouette of a bride and her gown.  The resulting image is dramatic, glamourous, and timless.  This is a photographer favorite, and a bride favorite!

Photo Credit: Sarah eubanks Photography

5.  The Grounds. The setting sun brings warmth and glowing light to Carl House’s weeping willow in the back garden.  It makes for a dreamy and dramatic background of any subject.  This is often a couple’s favorite image.

Photo Credit: Sarah Eubanks Photography

Photo Credit: Sarah Eubanks Photography


And the winners of the Facebook engagement story contest are…

Meredith Cash and Nick Palmer!

With almost 350 “likes” on our Facebook Fans page, Meredith and Nick won with a hefty lead! The lucky couple now has the opportunity to select one of the following prizes below:

Complimentary Punch Fountain for up to 100 guests
Complimentary champagne toast for up to 100 guests
2 complimentary tickets to a future wine dinner

Congratulations Meredith and Nick! Want to hear how the winning couple got engaged? The story, written by Meredith, is posted below!

“A diamond is truly a girl’s best friend whether it is the ring on my left hand or my man coaching first base! Nick and I attended North Georgia College & State University where we both were athletes. Nick was a catcher for the Saint’s baseball team, and I played for the Ladies Saint’s tennis team. Nick and I had a few classes together, but he never noticed me even though I sat behind him in one of our mutual classes. Fast forward to a year later! Nick had already graduated, but became a grad-assistant for the baseball team while working on his masters. Every morning, I would have to walk by the baseball office to attend my morning classes. The best part about that would be the fact I got to see Nick, and little did I know he thought the same. Every once in a while Nick and I would speak as I passed the office. So the fall semester ended and Christmas break began. Nick sent me a message on Facebook asking me about my finals and to see if I was excited about my internship starting in the spring. Nick and I began chatting on the Facebook application. And that’s where the real story begins…

Nick and I began talking on the phone and through text for the next couple of weeks after exchanging numbers. On December 14, 2009, we went on our first date. Nick showed up to the door with flowers. He stole my heart right then because he was the first guy to ever bring flowers on the first date. I knew he was the one on our first date because at dinner he asked if it was ok to say the blessing. He just warmed my heart with those words. Nick told his mom after our first date that he would marry me! Fast-forward 10 months…

Nick asked my parents one night at dinner if he could marry their daughter. Once he got their blessing, the planning began. Nick had it all planned that he would propose on Tuesday, October 19th at the North Georgia baseball field, but those plans changed when coach told them they would be having an inter-squad game on that day. So he had to change his plans really quick. On Saturday, October 16, 2010, my life changed for the best! That morning we were at my apartment packing for the day because Nick said we were having date night. Nick asked me to pack my hair rollers which I thought was really odd, but I did it anyway because he likes my hair curled. That afternoon, we were at his house throwing around the baseball and that’s when the idea occurred to him. While getting ready for dinner, I heard Nick yelling because the shirt he wanted to wear wasn’t working right so I told him to just wear a different one. Of course he said, “No, I want to wear this one”. So he finally got it to work and we were off to dinner. On our way out the door, Nick said coach called and we had to go by the baseball field because the sprinklers were on and they weren’t supposed to be. On our way to the field, Nick pulled out a white box (which I thought was an engagement ring, and I was about to be mad if he was about to propose in the car) which held two charms for my Pandora bracelet. Finally, we got to the field, and Nick got out of the truck (I thought he was just looking at sprinklers) to get everything set up for the engagement. I decided I would call my mom to chat while he was checking every thing out. Nick came up to the truck and asked me to get out and walk on the field with him to see if the field was wet (mind you I’m still on the phone with my mom), but I said no thanks I don’t want to get my shoes wet! Nick said please come walk on it with me, and my mother on the phone said just go but don’t let anything bite you! Little did I know she knew what was happening. We walked around the outside of the infield, but I noticed that the field wasn’t wet at all. I didn’t say anything about it just thought it in my head then, Nick made the comment “I guess the sprinklers weren’t on that long because the field isn’t that wet.” Of course, I bought that story!! Rounding third base, Nick asked me to pick the ball up at home plate while he went to check the sprinklers behind the pitchers mound. Approaching the ball, I noticed it had something written on it. All I could see was the word Will so I thought it was Will’s baseball. As I got closer, I rolled the ball over with my foot and saw it said, “Will you marry me?” As I turned around, I saw that Nick was down on one knee at the pitchers mound. I was screaming “Are you serious?!” and “Is this for real?!” I couldn’t believe that this was really happening. It was the happiest moment of my life!

So we have set our date for September 22, 2012 at the Carl House. I am looking forward to walking across the bridge and seeing my groom standing on the other side. I am excited about having my special day at the Carl House! Like I said before, a diamond is truly a girl’s best friend! See y’all soon!!”


Carl House - 1176 Atlanta Highway - Auburn, GA 30011 - (770) - 586-0095 - info@carlhouse.com