by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: Salvation Army Celebrity Chefs Luncheon & Silent Auction
When: March 15th @ 11AM-1PM
Where: The Jacksonville Fairgrounds
Among food events, the Salvation Army Celebrity Chef’s Luncheon & Silent Auction is one of the most unique and longstanding food events you’ll find in Jacksonville. Most of the “chefs” you’ll find manning the tables at this event aren’t local celebrity chefs but are simply celebrities or important people in the Jacksonville area. You’ll find Jacksonville Jaguar Joe Zelenka, City Councilman Lad Daniels, local philanthropist Betsy Lovett and Peterbrooke President Peter Behringer all at booths, serving one of their favorite dishes to the public. TV and Radio personalities will also be in attendance. Two newsworthy meteorologists will be at the event. Mike Buresh of Fox 30/CBS 47 will be serving a Derby Pie and John Gaughan of WJXT will be serving a Korean barbeque known as Khal Bi. Dee Davenport of 93.3 Rooster Country will be ladling out some Rooster Country Chicken Corn Chowder.
First, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Salvation Army begins organizing the event by asking local celebrities to participate. Once they’ve gotten a commitment, they then ask for three favorite family recipes from each celebrity in different categories, i.e. dinner, dessert and a side item. Each of those recipes are then cooked by one of the catering companies hired for the event. This year they’ve hired Genesis Café, Anthony’s Gourmet Catering and Catering by Liz. Once the items are cooked, they are then presented to the Tasting Committee (something that sounds like a great job!) Based on their collective taste buds, as well as the recommendations from the caterers about the viability of the dish on a buffet line, they choose the best dish of the three from each celebrity. Another factor that determines what is served has to do with filling category slots; they don’t want to serve all desserts or side items, so if all the deserts are fantastic, they can only choose a few of the best because they need an equal variety.
It’s year 21 of an event that has become a Jacksonville tradition. It began two years after the Jacksonville Ladies Auxiliary of the Salvation Army was formed. Committee co-chair Sally Evans says that the “Ladies Auxiliary needed a reason for being… Darleen Unger had seen the concept elsewhere, so we decided to do it.” The event has grown considerably, going from only 9 sponsors to 41 sponsors in this year’s events. Their first year, they earned ten thousand dollars for the Salvation Army; as of last year they pulled in a staggering one hundred two thousand.
Every year, this event does more than amuse and feed the participants; the proceeds go to projects within the community to help the less fortunate. “All of the money stays right here in the Jacksonville area,” says committee co-chair Sally Evans. The majority of these projects are very practical and concrete, such as a washer dryer set for the Adult Rehabilitation Center, office supplies as well as computer upgrades for the local administrative staff and toiletry items, like towels and wash cloths, for the local shelter. Money from the benefit lends a hand to young and old alike. Top on the list of projects are a code-approved bus and scholarships for homeless children at the Child Development Center. For the Salvation Army Senior Center, money is allocated towards an audio center.
This year, the event has been moved from the Prime Osborne to the Exhibition Hall at the Fairgrounds. Food booths will be set up along the perimeter of the event. Each booth will be manned by a local celebrity who will be serving in a chef’s hat and apron. Food items range from the Peterbrooke’s Chocolate Fountain to Spinach Squares or Rustic Lasagna. In the center of the event will be the Silent Auction, which can be approached for the majority of the festivities. Items on the silent auction block include travel, fine dining, art and antiques. Hundreds of beautiful plants from Trad’s Garden Center, used for decoration at the event, will be available for purchase. 20% of plant sales will be donated to The Salvation Army.
The Master of Ceremonies will be Shotgun of Rooster Country. Parking is blessedly free, and you’ll receive a cookbook featuring all the recipes of the event. Tickets are only $30 each, available from any Auxiliary member or by calling 301-4841.
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