John Heller, Post-Gazette The legendary Tony Bennett gives his heart during an intimate performance at Nemacolin Woodlands. Click photo for larger image. Photo Journal: Savoir Affair benefit for Hillman Cancer Center

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but everyone else at Savoir Affair left theirs at Nemacolin Woodlands after four days of sampling the finest this resort has to offer. That the inaugural food, wine, music and art event was a benefit for the Hillman Cancer Center (the auction items alone raised $80,000) made all the indulgence guilt-free and some of it downright educational.

Gourmet Magazine executive chef Sara Moulton presided over the culinary components, which included cooking demonstrations and wine tastings along with exceptional meals prepared by Nemacolin executive chef Jeremy Critchfield and his staff. Tom Shelton, president and CEO of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, discussed the wines that were served at two elegant dinners.

The multimillion-dollar Hardy art collection was celebrated during the sixth Annual Hardy Family Art Gala Dinner on Saturday, and new works for sale by seven artists were featured in an extensive exhibit (the works will remain on display for six months, and the Hardy family will donate 20 percent of sales to the cancer center).

The highlight of Savoir Affair was Friday's sumptuous formal dinner of seared duck, lemongrass-crusted Ahi tuna and beef rossini, followed by the incomparable Tony Bennett in concert. It was a rare treat to see him perform in the ballroom (he usually plays Heinz Hall), and he clearly relished the intimacy as he played to the room with the relaxed assurance of a legend.

Joe and Debbie Hardy sat in front, as did dignitaries from the Hillman Cancer Center including Dr. Ron Herberman (with Harriett), Gayle Tissue, cancer survivor Tim Wesley (with Maria), Mark Pasquerilla, Carnegie Museum of Art director Richard Armstrong and curator Sarah Nichols (who gave a wonderful talk on the art of wining and dining), Drs. Michael and Marianne Bonidie and Michael and Susan Seman (who donated auction items from their Molto Bella Ceramica), Lisa Gordon, Shelly Snoddy and brother Bill Snoddy Jr. with his wife Renee, Cameron Neth, Don Patron, David Oliver Smith, Debi Wheeler, Jennifer Antkowiak with husband Joe, Libby Anderson, Chris Sepesy, Ann and Peter Haigh, Adelene and Jeff Weissert, Merril Stypula and delightful Jeff and Mary Jeanne Nobers. Everybody was raving about the new Falling Rock hotel and its stunning Aqueous restaurant -- a treat for the eyes as well as the palate.