Chowdown for Charity Benefits Culinary Arts in Manatee Schools

MANATEE COUNTY – Great food, a tremendous time and a wonderful cause are all part of the tempting charm of the third annual ”Chowdown for Charity“ to be held Friday, October 14, 2011, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Riverhouse Reef and Grill Restaurant located at 955 Riverside Drive in Palmetto.

The ”Chowdown for Charity“ is being organized by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and all proceeds from the event benefit Culinary Arts programs in Manatee County’s public schools.

During the event, extremely talented Culinary Arts students representing Manatee Technical Institute, Manatee High and Southeast High will compete against each other for prizes in a competition to be judged by local celebrity chefs Jamie Gregorich, a contestant on FOX TV’s ”Hell’s Kitchen“, MTI instructor and sous chef at Eupemia Haye on Longboat Key; Ray Arpke, chef/proprietor of Euphemia Haye; and Tommy Klauber, restaurateur, chef, culinary travel expert, and owner of Pattigeorge’s on Longboat Key and the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch. 

In addition, an impressive array of area restaurants will be on hand to provide tasty samples including Peach's, Gio's, Riverside Cafe, SoMa Diner, Polo Grill, Ezra Cafe, Anna Maria Oyster Bar, Beachhouse, Woody's River Roo, Bridge Street Bistro, Riverhouse Reef & Grill, and Cupcakes by Ron.

This will be the first year that any public schools have received money from the event. The monies each school receives will be used to aid students with lab fees and textbooks or educational materials.

Tickets are available for $25 and can be purchased from Riverhouse Reef & Grill, O'Brick's, Renaissance on 9th, or Anna Maria Oyster Bar; or at www.chowdown2011.eventbrite.com.