In November, the Milford Regional Healthcare Foundation hosted its 20th Annual Mélange Gala and Live Auction, an event that brings together close to 400 hospital workers, donors, and community members to raise funds for the hospital.

A Wizard of Oz theme tied this year’s event together, from the food to decor to entertainment, under the theme, “There’s No Place Like Milford Regional.”

The event raised over $1.3 million – a record in the event’s 20-year history – to support major renovations at UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center.

We were tasked with bringing the theme to life through a creative menu that would surprise and delight guests from beginning to end, from the ‘Emerald City Cocktail Hour’ through to the ‘Yellow Brick Road Dessert Suite.’

Scroll down for a taste of the menu our chef team created – a mix of stations and passed hors d’oeuvres during cocktail hour, a seated plated dinner, and a dessert spread imbued with dramatic effect. The full bar was supplemented with two signature cocktails to add whimsy: a 'Yellow Brick Road Margarita,' and 'Dorothy’s Ruby Slipper.'

The photos below help spotlight how our expert full-service team brought the vision to life, ensuring the evening ran seamlessly, guests were entertained, and the Foundation’s team was fully supported.

The Menu

Emerald City Cocktail Hour:

Familiar Friends of Oz Stations

Scarecrow’s Yellow Brick Cornfield: Grilled corn riblets with a variety of sauces
Cowardly Lions Big Bite: Wild mushroom ravioli with Lion’s Mane mushroom marsala sauce
Tin Man’s Pit Stop: 'Oil Cans' filled with extra virgin olive oil and guests’ choice of flavorings, with rustic dipping breads
Tastes Like Home for Dorothy: Kansas City Smoked Beef Brisket on sweet petite rolls

Passed Hors D’Oeuvres

Behind the Emerald Curtain Tenderloin Bites
Wonton Chicken Teriyaki Cups
Bacon Wrapped Scallops

First Course

New England Fall Salad
Soups served with a warm artisanal bread basket

Entrées

Grilled Petit Prime Filet Mignon, with Emerald City Chimichurri & Grilled Blue Crab Cake
Butternut Squash Risotto with Braised Forest Mushroom Ragout

Yellow Brick Road Dessert Suite

Black Forest Cake Bites
Flying Monkey Bread, on floating trays suspended over the dessert station
Ruby Red Velvet Cupcakes
Lollipop Guild Munchkin Men: Fruit-filled munchkins with frosting "hair", piped friends faces, presented on sticks in a field of poppies