The Virgin of Grayton

Beach Fanatic

Aug 18, '06 · 3:39 PM570

The Walton Funn, August 18, 2006

The Virgin of Grayton

Walton County TDC officials are scrambling to find accommodations for the thousands of religious visitors expected to flock to the Emerald Coast this fall. The above average number of tourists is a result of an unusual dinner that has put Grayton Beach firmly on the pilgrimage map.

Gloria Ines was visiting the area with her family, ?We saw the Red Bar on the Travel Channel and decided we should eat there. I ordered the Panee Chicken; when the food arrived, I gasped, well first time I gasped was because of the shear size of the pile of mashed potatoes, but then I couldn?t believe my eyes ?there was an image of the Virgin right there on my plate!?

It seems that the garlic mashed potatoes were shaped remarkably like Michelangelo?s Pieta.

Gloria?s husband Robert could hardly believe his eyes, ?I ordered the Crab Cakes, and there were clearly two eastern orthodox style icons on each cake.?

The Walton Funn contacted OWCC art director Bill Peterson to review the images. ?The Mashed Pieta is incredible. The Crab Cake Diptych is also amazing, just look at how a little beurre blanc sauce has fallen on each to create a pair of golden halos. And the pan frying has created a gorgeous chiaroscuro effect.?

The Ineses chose not to eat their dinner, ?We saved the plates, and are looking for a good home for the miraculous food.? A spokesperson for the Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama has expressed an interest in acquiring the relics.

TDC officials are excited about the possibility that SoWal may one day become a major destination for the faithful. ?I can see it now, Grayton Beach will be every bit and important a pilgrimage site as Santiago de Compostela, and Lourdes.?