BY ANN CIPPERLY
FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY —
As part of the Auburn Food and Wine Tour, The Depot is hosting a four-course wine dinner Oct. 4, from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Lee County Youth Development Center (LCYDC).
Since opening in Auburn’s historic train depot, The Depot restaurant has become known as a modern Gulf-coastal brasserie. An assortment of fresh seafood highlights the menu along with a variety of other excellent dishes.
The Depot is a stunning restaurant with ambiance reminiscent of the golden era of train travel with tucked leather booths for cozy seating and a dazzling crystal chandelier in the main dining room.
Chef Scott Simpson has been executive chef since the restaurant opened. A couple of years ago, the chef was the state winner in the sixth annual Alabama Seafood Cook-off.
Simpson is a native Californian and spent most of his youth in San Diego, and his family took vacations to coastal areas. He developed a passion for food at an early age and knew he wanted a profession in foods. When he began working, it was generally on the coast or near coastal areas.
He received training in Florence, Italy, at the Giuliano Bugialli Professional Culinary School, and the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, California, where he trained under chefs including Rick Bayless, Roberto Donna, Michael Chiarello, Terri Sanderson and Karen McNeil.
The chef headed a number of upscale restaurants before taking the helm at The Depot.
The wine dinner will kick off with a Happy Hour from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. with appetizers. These will include Garlic Sardine Confit and Pesto Bruschetta, Roasted Yellow Pepper Relish, Jalapeno and Baked Brie Tartlets and Takoyaki (pops or mini blinis).
The plated, four-course dinner will feature:
First Course: Crispy Pork Belly “Hornado,” accompanied by Potato Llapingachos, crushed peanuts, sliced avocado and Aji Salsa
Second Course: Smoked Salmon, Hasselback Beet, Mache and Arugula Salad enhanced with Feta Cacio e Pepe Dressing
Main Course: Szechuan Pepper and Shoyu Lacquered Duck Breast served with Sage Butternut Mash, Roasted Pepitas and Shishito Cherry Demi
Dessert: Ginger and Spice Caramel Roasted Pear Tart drizzled with Earl Grey and Toasted Almond Vanilla Anglaise
An expertly curated wine pairing will complement each course.
The wine dinner offers a chance to experience exceptional dining while supporting the LCYDC.
“We are very excited about this collaboration event and for the support and attention we can raise for the Lee County Youth Development Center,” Simpson said.
Tickets are priced at $135. To purchase tickets, go to 2023 Auburn Food & Wine Dinners (ejoinme.org). For additional information, go to www.allaboardauburn.com.
LEE COUNTY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER
“This past May the Lee County Youth Development Center (LCYDC) celebrated 50 years of service to the local community and to individuals from all walks of life,” said Executive Director Laura Cooper. “However, according to the official Letters of Incorporation, LCYDC commemorates 54 years of operations this month.”
On Sept. 12, 1969, Judge C.S. Whittlesey, Jane C. Walker and Lucy Locklin signed documents that put into motion programming which would change the landscape of a patch of undeveloped land located at the end of an unpaved road just off of Pepperrell Parkway. Eventually it grew into a footprint which reaches throughout East Alabama and beyond.
“While our past is foundational to understanding who we are, the board and staff of LCYDC are firmly rooted in the present,” Cooper said. “They have an ever-evolving vision of remaining relevant to current and emerging needs of children, families and communities. Our present-day programming focuses on meeting needs of families in the least restrictive environments possible.
“Ideally, those children or families experiencing disruption are best served in their homes of origin, in kinship care or in foster homes close to their communities. We get that. Our Project Uplift Program at Auburn University, our family-based intervention service, our Chanticleer Day School and therapeutic foster care homes are key examples of providing excellent home and community-based care.”
The executive director said that there are instances due to trauma, socio-behavioral issues, clinical care needs and other exceptional circumstances where home and community care is not the safest or most appropriate option.
For these children, teens and young adults, LCYDC operates a Juvenile Detention Center, residential treatment centers, as well as a group home and even independent (apartment) living for young adults who are aging out of the system.
“From our beginning until now, the LCYDC has remained intent on providing a broad continuum of care,” Cooper said. “We understand that one size does not fit all.”
In addition to these programs, there is an entire village of supportive constructs including education and clinical services, medical, psychiatric, food and nutrition and security. The LCYDC is a village that never sleeps; working 24/7/365 with no weekend or holidays off.
To be relevant, LCYDC must be open and prepared to serve at all times.
“We do not operate on an island,” Cooper said. “We are interdependent upon the goodwill of our local and community and upon our key partnerships. These include state and county DHR’s, county family courts, the city of Opelika, the city of Auburn, Auburn University, the Lee County Commission, the local public schools, East Alabama Health, local law enforcement and far too many other supporters and stakeholders to mention.”
The LCYDC is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation and The Learning Center is Cognia accredited.
LCYDC recently further expanded its footprint to the southwest region of the state.
“We have partnered with Prestwick Community Outreach, located in Washington County, in order to open foster homes in this area as well as meet needs in an underserved area,” Cooper said. “We are especially excited to start offering fatherhood programming in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect, DHR and the Children’s Trust Fund. We will work with single dads on building their job, career and parenting skills with a goal of strengthening family networks.”
It took four years after the agency’s 1969 founding to begin the path of intentional programming. Those wanting to learn more about the Youth Development Center are asked to visit www.lcydc.org.