CLEARWATER, Fla., June 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 3rd Annual Chefs Showcase at the Fort Harrison was held on the 14th of June in downtown Clearwater. Ninety-six guests were treated to a six course meal that ranged from Tuna Nachos Tartar to Pastry ‘French Fries’ with salted caramel ‘catsup’. The funds collected at the dinner raised money for Clearwater Community Volunteers’ Winter Wonderland.
The Fort Harrison is the International Religious Retreat for the Church of Scientology. This is the third year that the Church has hosted this event.
Participating chefs, who took the theme of “Street Food on White Table Cloths” were Chef Justin N. Gaines (2010 winner of TV’s “Chopped”), Chef Bill Brown (William Dean Chocolates), Chef Tim Brown (Johnson and Wales University), Chef Sean Ragan (Sandpearl Resort), Chef Viet Vo (Mad Chef of Tampa), Chef Mike Thames (Fort Harrison), Chef Vi (DJ Catering), Chef Jake Kincheloe (Tampa’s Armani’s) and Gelato Master Tomasso Galantini (Gala’s Gelateria).
After a reception on the 10th floor terrace of the Fort Harrison, guests were seated for dinner. Lisa Mansell, the Public Affairs Director for the Church, MC’d the evening, introducing the chefs to talk about the course that they had created.
“Humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard wrote: ‘The artist has an enormous role in the enhancement of today’s and the creation of tomorrow’s reality. He operates in a rank in advance of science as to the necessities and requirements of man.’ Tonight, you will be introduced to some artists of the culinary persuasion who will give you a new look at one of those ‘necessities and requirements of man’ – food,” Ms. Mansell told the crowd.
The in-house Sommelier paired each course with a specific wine.
As an additional fundraiser, artist Nate Jessup painted a work of art during the dinner, which was auctioned off as a part of the event. Baker Amanda Ryan created a 3D sculpture cake of a chef’s hat, which was also auctioned.
Miss Ryan is the daughter of Pam Ryan Anderson, the Chairwoman of CCV. This group is most known for its production of Winter Wonderland, a nearly 3-week Holiday festival in downtown Clearwater. Last year, more than a ton of food and toys were collected and distributed to area charities.
This year’s event raised $9,000 for CCV.
CCV welcomes people of all faiths. For more information about their charitable activities, please go to www.clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org.