NEWS, EVENTS & STORIES

Celeb Chefs Judge Fundraising Event.

October 16, 2018

It was a big day today! Tony started the morning in the kitchen with his fellow culinary school classmates. As a sponsor for the Tampa Bay Food Fight, Tony and his team were prepping for this new fundraising event that has top Tampa chefs competing against St. Petersburg’s best.

“We had a great time getting ready in the kitchen, and then at tonight’s event,” Tony says. “The energy was incredible! People were having a lot of fun for a good cause.”

The event was a huge success, raising more than $200,000! Attendees enjoyed live music and voted in categories such as Best Cocktail and Best Restaurant. Judges included Ray “Dr BBQ” Lampe and Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef, Art Smith. In the end, Team Tampa came out on top.

The money will create scholarships to the Metropolitan Ministry Inside the Box Culinary Arts Program, which trains at-risk students for a career in the food service industry. They take culinary classes, learn about food handling and high volume production, and gain cafeteria and restaurant experience.

To date, 150 students have completed the course and are now employed in the Tampa Bay area.

“This program is a great way for our community members to change their lives. Our graduates gain independence with a job in the culinary world, and make a living to support themselves and their families,” Tony says. “I hope everyone plans to join us next year!”