Second Annual Chowdown For Charity Announced

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- The 2nd Annual Chowdown for Charity will be held October 28, 2010 from 5-8 pm at the Gold Coast Eagle Hospitality Courtyard, 7051 Wireless Court, Lakewood Ranch. Last year’s celebrity judges; Florida House Representative Bill Galvano, Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston, Brighthouse Networks reporter Summer Smith, and Bradenton Herald columnist Vin Mannix will all return to judge the Best of the Best among several area restaurants. The public attending the event will also be able to vote for their favorite dish. A judge’s trophy and a crowd favorite trophy will be awarded. Event attendees will also be able to win gift certificates from the participating restaurants and several gift baskets will be raffled. Steel drum music by John Rinell, will fill the courtyard as event attendees mingle, tasting scrumptious dishes expertly prepared and paired with Gold Coast Eagle products.
 
This year the event will benefit the Manatee County Food Bank and Prostart. The Food Bank of Manatee is the largest hunger prevention organization in Manatee County. It works with nearly 100 local social service agencies, food pantries, and soup kitchens to provide food for the needy. It also provides temporary assistance to families in crisis through Emergency Food Baskets and Baby Baskets. The amount of food distributed through The Food Bank of Manatee has tripled in the past few years, and last year it provided enough food for more than 3.5 million meals. All donations to The Food Bank stay local, to help people in need in our local community. For more information, visit www.foodbankofmanatee.org or call 941-747-FOOD.

The Prostart program was developed by the FRLA to increase the quality and employability of today's high school graduates by providing them with training related to important job skills as well as opportunities for careers and higher education. Students are introduced to careers in foodservice and lodging and are taught basic skills needed for success in these industries.  This is accomplished through dynamic and comprehensive curriculums coupled with on-the-job training.

Tickets for the 2nd Annual Chowdown for Charity are $40 each or two for $70 and can be purchased online at participating restaurants or www.chowdown.eventbrite.com. Event sponsors include Gold Coast Eagle, Brighthouse Networks, The Bradenton Herald, Alsco Linen Company, West Bradenton Rotary Club and The Loft #5.  For more information on the event and sponsorship contact Caryn Hodge at chodge@chilesgroup.com or 941-778-8705.

The first annual Chowdown for Charity, hosted by the FRLA Manatee Chapter was a huge success. The event was held November 12, 2009 at the Gold Coast Eagle Hospitality Courtyard. Event attendees were able to vote for their favorite dish from top area restaurants. Celebrity chefs also voted on their favorite. Trophies for each the crowd favorite and the judge’s favorite were awarded to the winning restaurants. Restaurant dishes were paired with Gold Coast Eagle products and steel drum entertainment added to the tropical feel of the evening. The event benefited the Manatee County Food Bank and the South Florida Museum and was also sponsored by Gold Coast Eagle, Brighthouse Networks, The Bradenton Herald, The Rotary Club of West Bradenton, Madison Avenue Advertising, A Tropical Affaire and Alsco Linen Company.