Get a ‘taste’ of Pat Summitt’s life

Sherri Gardner HowellFarragut

Discipline yourself so no one else has to.

Don’t just work hard, work smart.

Handle success like you handle failure.

When Pat Summitt laid out her “Definite Dozen” maxims, she gave her audiences a taste of her recipe for success – both on the basketball court and in life.

How fitting that Taste of Turkey Creek, which benefits the Pat Summitt Foundation, will have a special cake for the party on Sept. 8.

Actually 13 cakes, all created by Master Baker Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro of Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, N.J. Buddy and the bakery are featured on the hit TLC show “Cake Boss.”

“The cakes are designed as a tribute to Pat Summitt’s life,” explains Kristen Bridgers, marketing manager at The Pinnacle at Turkey Creek, which is sponsoring the event for the fifth year. “Through a partnership with Carlo’s Bakery and our Taste of Turkey Creek sponsors at Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, we will have this special set of cakes to unveil at the event.”

The design of the main cake is a closely-guarded secret, but the 12 sheet cakes that accompany the centerpiece cake will each feature one of Summitt’s Definite Dozen quotes.

“The idea to reach out to the ‘Cake Boss’ came from our general manager, Daryl Whitehead,” says Bridgers. “While they weren’t able to include it in the production of one of the television shows, they were interested in participating.”

The bakery team and designers were familiar with Summitt and her contributions to the sports world, but wanted to know more about her life on a global stage, especially her work with Alzheimer’s and as a mentor for young women. “We all learned even more about Pat Summitt’s impact across the world, not just here in East Tennessee,” says Bridgers.

Also new this year for Taste is a Kid’s Corner that features a moon bounce, face painting, balloon twist and cookie decorating. Maria Cornelius will be signing her book, “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt.” A part of the book sale proceeds goes to the Pat Summitt Foundation.

There are 21 restaurants signed up for the “tasting” portion, along with wine, beer, live entertainment and a silent auction. Little Nest Portraits will have a photo booth.

Tickets, on sale now at www.pinnacleatturkeycreek.com, are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets include unlimited visits to food vendors and two drink tickets redeemable for wine or beer. Admission for children 12-7 years old is $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Children 6 and under enter for free.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and restaurants begin serving at 6. Taste of Turkey Creek is held at Pinnacle on Parkside Drive, in front of Cru Bistro, between Belk and Alumni Hall.

Parking is available anywhere on the property at the shopping center, and there will be golf carts to assist those in need with a ride to the gates.

All proceeds from ticket sales go to the Pat Summit Foundation.

“Total raised in our past four years for the Summitt foundation is $62,000,” says Bridgers. “We would like to hit the $80,000 mark this year.”

 

 

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