by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Purse strings may have tightened lately, but about 2,000 people loosened those strings to support Children’s Home Society Sunday.
The “26th Annual Caring Chefs” event was held at the Avenues Mall and it featured food from over 50 area restaurants, wine and live music. Through 25 years the event has raised more than $2.2 million for Children’s Home Society (CHS) of Florida to help families of the First Coast. All of the ticket proceeds benefitted CHS Sunday, but organizers of the event gathered sponsors together before the official opening of the event to thank them at a special VIP pre-party.
“With your help we raised $109, 320 this year,” said Bob Pinder, event chair. “That’s before we even look at donations from ticket sales.”
Pinder was surprised that he was able to make that announcement considering the current economy.
“It’s a tough year, but our board members and volunteers worked harder and dug deeper to bring in the donations,” said Pinder, “and they made this a great year for Caring Chefs.”
Tickets to the event were $60 and organizers were predicting a sellout crowd of more than 2,000. That crowd was treated to the delicious creations from more than 50 area restaurants and hospitality businesses.
The Culinary Arts and Hospitality program of Florida State College at Jacksonville considered finding bigger plates to allow people to sample all it had to offer. Pork rollette, chicken sausage, smoked duck breast, smoked salmon, smoke chicken wings and smoked, stuffed duck breast were all available at one table.
“We are willing to do whatever we can to benefit Children’s Home Society and give back to the community,” said Chef Bill McCool, an instructor with the program. “A lot of the students earn scholarships, so this a way for them to give back.”
Florida State College of Jacksonville is one of the elder statesman at the event, dishing out plates for its 15th year. Ragtime Tavern and Seafood Grill has the longest tenure with 23 years donating time and food to the event. A handful of other restaurants have reached double digits in participation including Seven Bridges Grille and Brewery and Sticky Fingers Rib House, both at the event for 11 years, and River City Brewing Company and Bistro Aix have both been at the event for 10 years.
New to the event were Chefs for a Night, Chew, Godiva Chocolatier, Orsay, Restaurant Medure, Shula’s 347 Grill and TacoLu. Shula’s 347 Grill was the only table with a Super Bowl trophy drawing the attention of attendees. Owner Don Shula coached the Miami Dolphins to Super Bowl titles in 1972 and 1973. Guests dined on prime rib and ahi tuna at the Shula’s 347 Grill table. It may not have a Super Bowl title, but TacoLu, a Jacksonville Beach restaurant, is trying to make a name for itself behind some fresh and tasty food.
“This is a great cause and a great event,” said Don Nicols, owner. “It also helps give us some exposure across the ditch.”
The cause Nicols talked about was helping children. CHS was first chartered in 1902 and is dedicated to restoring and strengthening families through its various programs and services such as adoption, foster care, child abuse prevention programs and independent living apartments. For more information about CHS got to www.chsfl.org/buckner.
356-2466