On November 15, more than two dozen local chefs came together to volunteer their time and talent for Children’s Home Society of Florida’s (CHS) annual Ultimate Dinner Party benefit.

Local talent included future chefs from Lake Worth High School’s culinary academy, who followed the lead of professionals Chef Mike Kuckelman of Bush Brothers Provisions Co. and Chef Emmanuelle Suarez of Lake Worth High School, to prepare an extravagant dinner for CHS patrons at the home of Susan and Bob Wright.

“The Ultimate Dinner Party has been an integral part of our culinary program for over a decade, starting when Chef Kuckelman became a mentor for our program. Our students are always thrilled to participate in this event because it provides them with the opportunity to experience high-end cooking and support an amazing cause,” shared Chef Suarez. The event raised significant funds for CHS’s family strengthening programs in Palm Beach County, including its recently established Community Partnership Schools: Lake Worth High School and John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Community Partnership Schools remove obstacles to learning for students by bringing together high-quality academics, health care, counseling, mentoring and more – all where they are most comfortable: in their own school.

Additional chefs included Fernando Beltran, Marriott Palm Beach Gardens; Daniel Diaz, FineMark National Bank & Trust; Jacob Hammell, Michael Malgas, and Carl Schonacher, Boca Grove Country Club; Javier Laurie, Romel Villafranca, Corry Cascio, Stonebridge Country Club, Marco Lombardini, Admiral’s Cove Country Club; Jose Nieto and David Walker, Nosh Catering, Daniel Sayed and Jarryd Viggiano, The Falls Club; Manfred Schmidtke, President Palm Beach ACF; Chris Spitz, CEC; Ed Balboni, CEC; Ricky Espiritu, Laura Todd, Laura Ashley Catering; and Joseph Watters, Jonathan’s Landing Country Club.

Additional hosts who graciously opened up their homes included Lee and Jeff Alderton, Brenda Callaway, Jim and Gaye Engel, Vicky and Mitch Evans, Dr. and Mrs. Ben and Laetitia Han, Jay Keith, Victor Moore and John J. Tatooles, Thomas C. Quick, Meredith Towsend and William Blind, and Wilder and Jason Regalbuto, who served as the “Ultimate” cocktail party hosts.

Underwriters included Gold Benefactor: Thomas C. Quick; Sterling Benefactors: Tere and Michael Borgia, Gaye Cinque and Fleur Cinque, Jim and Gaye Engel, Beth Farris, Edward Dweck and Linda Salandra Dweck, Carolyn and Oliver Grace, John Hendrickson, Janet and Mark Levy, Sondra and David S. Mack, Richard McCready, Victor Moore and John J. Tatooles, Will Steele and Chris Drake; Silver Benefactors: Thomas B. Anderson and Marc P. Schappell, Anne Fisher, The Honorable Rex J. Ford, Ed and Barbara O’Sullivan, Susan and Bob Wright, The International Society of Palm Beach; Benefactors: Lee and Jeffrey Alderton, William Blind and Meredith Townsend, Brenda Callaway, Christine and Alan Curtis, Vicky and Mitch Evans, Dr. Robert and Renee Gordon, Dr. Ben and Laetitia Han, Rosemary and Torrence Harder, Jay Keith, Wilder and Jason Regalbuto, Leslie and Ronald Y. Schram, Dr. Marjorie Shaw and Barney Rush, Susan and Bob Wright; and Corporate Partners: American Culinary Federation Palm Beach County Chefs Association (ACF), Beluga Vodka, Hamptons Palm Beach, Palm Beach Illustrated, William R. Eubanks Interior Design, and Zwilling JA Henckels.

About Children’s Home Society of Florida
On the front lines since 1902, CHS is the oldest and largest statewide organization devoted to helping children and families, serving more than 59,000 children and family members each year. More: www.chsfl.org.