CLEARWATER, Fla., June 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nearly one hundred and twenty foodies gathered to raise funds for local charities while enjoying a magical night at the Church of Scientology’s Fort Harrison religious retreat on June 3rd. The occasion was the 6th Annual Chefs’ Showcase. Benefitting the Clearwater Community Volunteers and the Children’s Home Network of Tampa Bay, the event was an evening of food and wine pairings overlooking the Clearwater Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. More than $20,000 was raised to help young people and families in need.
Co-sponsored by Tampa Bay Magazine, the event celebrated the arts and the native creativity of children.
“Pablo Picasso wrote that ‘Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up’,” said Lisa Mansell, the Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology and the MC for the evening. “Tonight’s beneficiaries are two charities that exist to give children and families the tools they need to paint a more vibrant future for themselves. These charities are the Clearwater Community Volunteers and the Children’s Home Network of Tampa Bay.”
The Clearwater Community Volunteers has been providing food, toys and entertainment to Pinellas County families in need since 1992. The Children’s Home Network, established 126 years ago, provides a broad array of services to children. As the event was underwritten by generous sponsors, all of the ticket sales went directly to the charities.
Participating chefs included the Fort Harrison Chef (and 2017’s US Best Young Chef winner) Kevin Meier, Chef Sean Ragan (Wyndham Grand Resort on Clearwater Beach), Chef Rene Marquis (President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Culinary Federation), Chef Vanessa Marquis (Core Catering) and Chef Bill Brown, owner of William Dean Chocolates, (winner of more than 60 awards internationally for his chocolates). These chefs worked in coordination with the Executive Chef for the Church of Scientology’s operations in Clearwater, Chef Zoltan Vajna, who also lent his talents to the salad course.
Each chef was introduced to the assembled guests and then described their course. This was followed by the Fort Harrison’s in-house sommelier describing the wine pairing. The guests were treated to different courses – from an appetizer inspired by De-constructuralism to dessert inspired by DaVinci, Monet and Van Gough.
The courses were augmented by musical numbers performed by the Flag Band with special guests Michael Graves, Palmer Miray and JoAnn Andrews.
“The music was a collaboration between Chef Zoltan and our Entertainment Director, so each song created additional excitement and energy for the course,” said Ms. Mansell.
But the focus of the event was raising funds for at-risk youth and their families.
Ms. Mansell said, “Author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote that ‘When children become unimportant to a society, that society has forfeited its future’. The Clearwater Community Volunteers and Children’s Home Network of Tampa Bay have assisted thousands in need and we are very proud to help these organizations.”
THE FORT HARRISON
The Fort Harrison has served as the International Religious Retreat for the Church of Scientology since 1975. Fully restored in 2009, the Fort Harrison regularly hosts charity events.
TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
Tampa Bay Magazine has been the go-to magazine for Tampa Bay area residents since 1986. Showcasing all that is good in the area, publishers Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Word Burnside also provide a forum for non-profits to reach the Bay-area residents most likely to support their endeavors.
For Information
Contact: Lisa Mansell
(727) 467-6860
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1bff034-f530-4560-bafa-5e9e42a37cae