Dinner Along the Silk Road, A Feast of Flavors and Generosity

On a beautiful evening at Ted and Riezl Baker’s lakefront home in Reynolds Lake Oconee, friends gathered to experience an extraordinary culinary journey. The evening celebrated food, wine, and community, all in support of St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.

The dinner featured an extensive menu that spanned the ancient Silk Road, showcasing flavors from India, China, and beyond. Neena Amin delighted guests with traditional Indian dishes bursting with spices and warmth. Ruby Kuhmichel, originally from Hong Kong, wowed the crowd with her exquisite Chinese cooking, with the star dish being her smoked duck breast with black bean sauce a clear favorite of the night. Riezl Baker added her own culinary flair dishes from the Philippines and with an interactive Singaporean rice noodle station. Complementing the feast, Matt and Daniela of Oconee Cellar curated a wine pairing while Designs by Kent transformed the setting with Asian-inspired arrangements that added beauty and elegance to the lakeside ambiance.

The event was made possible through the generosity of Beverly and Rich Sparkmon, who purchased the dinner experience during the live auction at February’s Heart & Soul Gala at the Ritz Carlton, benefiting St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. The Sparkmons not only supported the hospital and brought along 20 of their friends, creating a true evening of fellowship and shared joy.

While the cuisine and wine were spectacular, the evening’s heart lay in its purpose. Every dollar raised from the auction went directly to the hospital, further strengthening healthcare resources in the community.

“Dinner Along the Silk Road” was more than a feast but a celebration of culture, generosity, and the power of community coming together for a cause.

Riezl Baker is the top Realtor in Lake Oconee, Greensboro Georgia and in the top 1% in the state with close to $1 billion in career sales . She has 24 years of real estate experience representing sellers and buyers in Reynolds Lake Oconee and the lake community. Riezl recorded  $120 million in sales in 2024 and was recognized as the top individual agent in the Lake Country with the highest average sale of $2.2 million. She was recognized as Top Leader in Luxury Real Estate by Modern Luxury, Best Agent for Community Impact and Expert in Second and Vacation Homes by The Atlantan. In September of 2025, she was recognized as a Real Estate Luminary by RIS Media at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington DC for making an indelible mark on the real estate industry through decades of dedication and influence. Beyond her sales achievements, Riezl is deeply committed to service both locally and nationally. She plays an active role in healthcare and education initiatives in her community and was recently appointed to a national leadership position. A sought-after speaker at national conferences, she frequently shares her expertise on entrepreneurship, luxury marketing and the evolving landscape of real estate.