The 6th annual Chowdown for Charity was be held on Thursday, October 30th, 2014 from 6:00-8:30 pm at Riverhouse Banquets and Weddings facility in Palmetto, FL. Come rub elbows with the community’s exceptional chefs, sample their finest restaurant fare, and be tantalized by the dishes prepared by the area’s top restaurants. 10 of Manatee’s best restaurants will show down to compete in the area most
exciting chef’s competition. Participating restaurants will present their best dish to the judges and will be judged on appearance, creativity and taste in order to be qualified for the coveted “Best in Show” award. We're proud to announce our celebrity judges, Mayor Wayne Poston, Summer Smith, Senator Mike Bennett and Senator Bill Galvano....you all have a tough job ahead of you!!!! Even more exciting and impressive is the student culinary competition during the event. Guests will be treated to mouthwatering desserts prepared by the culinary students from Manatee Technical Institute, Southeast High School and the Hospitality Program at USF Sarasota-Manatee. Local favorite celebrity chefs, Ray Arpke (Euphemia Haye) and Jacqui Pressinger (Culinary Institute of America) will be judging the student entries category of the event and will award gold, silver and bronze recognitions to the winning school’s entry. Most importantly, this event raises much needed funds to help support and continue culinary education in Manatee County schools. These programs cultivate students into job-ready and employable candidates while providing vital life and job skills. In addition, a percent of the funds raised will be donated to the Food Bank of Manatee, which provides much needed food assistance to those needing help in our community.
