Succulent lobster paired with a creamy risotto, a margarita bar, surf and turf and various wine stations are just some of the culinary offerings at the 8th annual Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night set for Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Cape Harbour.
The night benefits Barbara's Friends, a charity whose goal is to help children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.
The event will feature a wealth of local culinary talent including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"It's a privilege for us to participate each and every year," Norman Love said. "It provides us an opportunity to give back to needy children and their families."
Love plans to bring his signature truffles and confections, as well as gelato. He said there will either be a plated dessert with gelato or mini gelato cones.
Johnson said he came up with the idea for the night in 2004. The charity came to him in hopes of having a benefit dinner.
He told them, "Lets really do something special and make it a great event."
Johnson said he modeled the event after one he and his wife attended in Aspen, Colo. Food and wine stations were set up around the property and guests mingled and meandered to each station.
"It was awesome," Johnson said.
The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. but Johnson said people come early and stay late. Since there is no set time frame for a sit-down dinner like a traditional benefit, guests can eat and drink when they please. He said some go straight for dessert first.
"If you come at 7 you missed nothing, you melt into the crowd," Johnson said.
In the first year, the event was postponed due to Hurricane Charley.
"We didn't lose one reservation," Johnson said. "Every year since then, I've tried to make the event better than the previous year."
The event sells out every year. Johnson said $48,000 was raised last year and his goal for this year's night is $60,000.
"We will raise more than ever," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation.
Tickets are $150 per person and include food, refreshments and the chance to bid on items. The event has had a silent auction in the past but this year a live action has been added.
A highlight of the live auction is a nine-course private dinner for 10 prepared by Balink, Johnson and Love.
"It's a unique item and we hope people will bid high," Higgins said.
About Barbara's Friends
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity, named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 32, is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation please call 434-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
If You Go
What: Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night
Where: 5848 Cape Harbor Drive
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $150
Attire: Caribbean casual.
Contact: To register to attend call 343-6950.
No comments:
Post a Comment