Society: Garden Party fundraiser comes up roses

Correction: This story has been updated to correct caption information.

Once again, Syd Ross of Bloomfield Hills delivered perfect weather for a garden party on Sunday. He and his wife, Elizabeth, celebrated 10 years of hosting The Garden Party Foundation’s signature event  -- and always with good weather.

“I have a chat with The Big Guy every year and ask that he bless us with perfect weather as we support the students in our programs,” Ross explains, half-jokingly. “So far, he’s never let us down.”

The mission of The Garden Party Foundation is to provide professional trade scholarships to underprivileged young adults. Considered to be one of Metro Detroit’s best annual charity events, more than 600 people attended the affair at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester Hills. It featured signature dishes from 28 top Metro Detroit restaurants and more than 100 types of wine from Great Lakes Wine and Spirits.

The food was amazing – including items from Prime & Proper, Bistro 82, a phenomenal lobster-stuffed filet from Novi Chophouse, and lamb meatballs from Café ML that owner Bill Roberts proudly announced were “the best dish here, according to Tom Celani.”

Some of the most impressive wines included Ardore by Celani Family Vineyards (which just received 97 points on Wine Spectator’s 100-point scale), Flowers Vineyards and Winery’s Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose; and J Vineyards, who sponsored a Bubble Bar with Brut and Rose.

Several students from Oakland Community College  who have received scholarships from The Garden Party Foundation in the past were on hand. TapSnap Detroit provided lovely photos in the garden and Olivia Millerschin and her band performed throughout the afternoon. In the past 10 years, The Garden Party Foundation has raised nearly $1 million and given it to local charities and professional trades.   

Chuck Bennett is the creator of TheSocialMetro.com and hosts “Chuck’s World” from 4-5 p.m. Saturdays on 910AM Superstation.