Kiwanians dish out new name, place for St. Jude luncheon

Say goodbye to the St. Jude Gourmet Luncheon and hello to the Longboat Key Gourmet Food Fest.

That’s right, the St. Jude Gourmet Luncheon is now a thing of the past. But not to worry: The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key wouldn’t dream of leaving Longboaters hungry on the third Saturday in November.

This year’s luncheon has been renamed the Longboat Key Gourmet Food Fest.

The concept is nothing new: Local restaurants will still dish out their tastiest treats to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in Memphis, Tenn., and to benefit local children through the Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation.

But this year’s luncheon has expanded. The event, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19, will move from its traditional location in Temple Beth Israel’s parking lot to the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s Islandside golf course driving range.

According to Andrew Vac, who is co-chairing the event with Kristi Bonsack, the move will allow the event to grow bigger — attracting as many as 1,000 attendees — along with 30 restaurants, up from the recent total of 24 to 26, and a microbrewery.

“We feel real positive about the change,” Vac said.

The changes to this year’s luncheon were driven by several factors, Vac said.

The parking-lot location often limited the size of the event. This year’s expanded location will allow the event to spread out and increase available seating. The venue change will also allow the event to feature complementary valet parking.

Plus, this year’s organizers won’t have to worry quite as much about Mother Nature. This year’s luncheon will take place under a large tent, meaning that the event will go on rain or shine. But, somehow, the sun usually shines on this event. Vac can remember only one instance in the past 29 years in which it rained at the event — and even then, it was only a light shower.

“We’ve been very fortunate,” he said.

Wheel deal
This year’s luncheon is taking a new turn, but what about the raffle that in years past has presented winners with the tough choice of a new car or $20,000 cash? Last year’s prize was a black 2011 Ford Fusion, but this year, organizers are still shopping around for all their car options. Keep reading the Longboat Observer and YourObserver.com — and we’ll let you know when the wheel deal is announced.