Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party to dish up new experience

The Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key’s goal is to make this year’s 30th annual luncheon benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital a better guest experience. One change is the name; it is now called “Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party,” formerly the St. Jude Gourmet Luncheon.

For 29 years, the luncheon was held in the parking lot at Temple Beth Israel, but in the past, the group had run into issues with rain and parking. By hosting the event at the Longboat Key Club and Resort, there will be ample parking and valet service for guests. In past years, there have also been multiple dining tents, and some attendees brought their own lawn chairs. This year, there will be a large tent with tables and chairs provided; the tent also protects from elements such as the sun and rain.

Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key typically hosts 600 to 1,200 people and 20 to 25 restaurants. This year, the club hopes to feature up to 30 restaurants and draw at least 1,000 people.

Another feature of the luncheon is the popular car raffle. This year, the top raffle prize is a 2012 VW Jetta or $20,000 in cash. Second price is $2,000 cash; and third prize is three days, two nights, a Gulf suite, tennis and spa at the Longboat Key Club and Resort. Only 400 raffle tickets will be sold; tickets are $100 each suggested donation.

The proceeds from the luncheon ticket sales benefit St. Jude, and the money from the car raffle benefits the Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation Local Scholarship Fund.

This year’s platinum sponsor is Stifel Nicolaus; gold sponsors are Coldwell Banker, the Longboat Key Club and Resort and the Longboat Observer.

IF YOU GO
Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party
What: More than 20 area restaurants will present their signatures dishes at the event, which benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The proceeds from the car raffle benefits the Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation Local Scholarship Fund.
When: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19
Where: Longboat Key Club and Resort, 301 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Info: John Wild, 314-610-4253
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door; car raffle tickets are $100 suggested donation

Participating restaurants
• 15 South Ristorante
• Bijou Cafe
• Blue Dolphin Cafe
• Bridge Street Bistro
• Cafe L’Europe
• Columbia Restaurant
• Doggin It
• Dry Dock Waterfront
Grill
• Eat Here
• Euphemia Haye
• Ezra
• Harry’s Continental Kitchens
• Hilton — Latitudes Beach Cafe
• Lazy Lobster
• Lido Beach Grill
• Longboat Key Club
& Resort
• Lynches Pub & Grub
• Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant and Pub
• Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant & Marina
• Publix Super Market
• Sarasota Olive Oil Co.
• Waterfront Room

Complimentary beers and fine wines will be served from Anheuser-Busch Gold Coast Eagle Distributing; Republic National Distributing; Southern Wine & Spirits; and Transatlantic.

Where to buy tickets
Longboat Key Gourmet Lawn Party tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Car raffle tickets are $100 suggested donation. Call 350-6577 for information.

• BP Service Station, 400 Gulf of Mexico Drive

• Longboat Hardware, 4030 Gulf of Mexico Drive

• Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce, 5570 Gulf of Mexico Drive

• Lynches Pub & Grub, 19 N. Blvd. of the Presidents

• Northern Trust Bank, 540 Bay Isles Road

• The Sarasota Observer, 1970 Main St., Fourth Floor

• Stifel Nicolaus, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail

• SunTrust Bank, 510 Bay Isles Road