• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

It's OK to play with your food

Lakewood Ranch YMCA hosts a night of culinary chaos, as attendees cook up their own food at the annual Interactive Dinner.


  • By Amanda Sebastiano
  • | 9:09 a.m. April 26, 2015
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share

The biggest Interactive Dinner event the Lakewood Ranch YMCA has hosted over the last four years, the Taste of New Orleans-themed event got 154 patrons cooking, April 24. A packed Fete Ballroom at the Polo Grill and Bar housed a flurry of apron-touting novice cooks, who cooked up dinner and dessert for their tablemates and friends at the annual fundraiser. Proceeds from the silent auction and $100 admission fee benefit the East County branch of the organization.

Laurie Coleman focuses on sautéing shrimp for her tablemates.
Laurie Coleman focuses on sautéing shrimp for her tablemates.
Karen and Richard Fletcher chat with friends Kathleen and John Cucci before finding their seats for dinner.
Karen and Richard Fletcher chat with friends Kathleen and John Cucci before finding their seats for dinner.
Rod Silva enjoys a night with the mother-daughter duo, Bambi and Tin Forristall.
Rod Silva enjoys a night with the mother-daughter duo, Bambi and Tin Forristall.
Michelle Gillespie, Ute Ratzel and Jan Ludke enjoy cold cocktails before dinner.
Michelle Gillespie, Ute Ratzel and Jan Ludke enjoy cold cocktails before dinner.
Annette Gueli, Maribeth Phillips and Donna Messina toast to a fun night of food and friends.
Annette Gueli, Maribeth Phillips and Donna Messina toast to a fun night of food and friends.
Randy and Hope Hahn team up for a seafood meal.
Randy and Hope Hahn team up for a seafood meal.
Curt Kasten isn’t a cooking enthusiast, but he’s up to the challenge.
Curt Kasten isn’t a cooking enthusiast, but he’s up to the challenge.
Polo Grill and Bar owner and chef Tommy Klauber and comedian Tim Wilkins lead a cooking demonstration.
Polo Grill and Bar owner and chef Tommy Klauber and comedian Tim Wilkins lead a cooking demonstration.
Katie and Marshall McLaughlin show off their uniform for the night.
Katie and Marshall McLaughlin show off their uniform for the night.
Joe Miller, of the Venice Symphony and Legacy Brass Trio, plays New Orleans-style tunes for attendees.
Joe Miller, of the Venice Symphony and Legacy Brass Trio, plays New Orleans-style tunes for attendees.
J.J. Miranda shows off his themed accessories beside his wife, Jodi.
J.J. Miranda shows off his themed accessories beside his wife, Jodi.
Julie and Lloyd Mosley are ready to get cookin’.
Julie and Lloyd Mosley are ready to get cookin’.
Barbara Peat and Dr. Joseph Rich pose with props in front of Mardi Gras-themed backdrop.
Barbara Peat and Dr. Joseph Rich pose with props in front of Mardi Gras-themed backdrop.
Jessica Petrat jokes with Tim and Ciindy Hayden before finding her seat.
Jessica Petrat jokes with Tim and Ciindy Hayden before finding her seat.
Diana Rothauser dresses for the occasion.
Diana Rothauser dresses for the occasion.
Jenny and Josh Rubisch enjoy the final moments before they roll up their sleeves and whip up a meal.
Jenny and Josh Rubisch enjoy the final moments before they roll up their sleeves and whip up a meal.
Veronica Van Dyke, Valentina Kennedy and Katie Fenton show off their dresses and skirts.
Veronica Van Dyke, Valentina Kennedy and Katie Fenton show off their dresses and skirts.
Tina Wahlers, Hollie Parks, Bev Kinder, Janet Albright and Jim Stoup dress for the occasion, in comfortable and formal wear.
Tina Wahlers, Hollie Parks, Bev Kinder, Janet Albright and Jim Stoup dress for the occasion, in comfortable and formal wear.
Andrea Welter, Jennifer Colombo and Amy Jendro show off their sassy sides for a photo opp.
Andrea Welter, Jennifer Colombo and Amy Jendro show off their sassy sides for a photo opp.
Barbara Zdziarski and Lisa O’Leary share laughs before they get their aprons dirty.
Barbara Zdziarski and Lisa O’Leary share laughs before they get their aprons dirty.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
  • December 18, 2025
In new year, Sarasota parents may have 3 days to excuse absence
Sarasota County's beaches, which are consistently ranked among the nation's best, offer dramatic sunsets.
  • December 18, 2025
Tourism outlook expects visitors leveling off in 2026
Renovations and construction of new concessions in Concourse B at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport are nearly complete.
  • December 18, 2025
Airport's growth in 2025 sets the stage for 2026 planning

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Lynnette Beecher and Gunilla Imshaug, members of the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club, check out a photo of a baby alligator that was taken moments before.
  • December 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch photography club preserves moments in time
Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
  • December 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community rallies to support seniors with shoebox event
Lakewood Ranch's Karen and Tom Eckert work as master gardener volunteers with the University of Florida to educate the public about gardening, plants, landscaping and more.
  • December 15, 2025
Master gardeners plant seeds of wisdom at Lakewood Ranch Library
Katherine Pike (on the left) salsa dances with the cast of "Casa Havana:" Dairon Batista, Isabella Serrano and Jack Gaudreau.
  • December 13, 2025
Palm Aire Women's Club members learn to salsa
Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
Greenbrook's David, Hannah and Jaime Marco all had a part in creating Jaime Marco's new book “Unfunkt: Quiet the Noise. Ignite the Light.”
  • December 12, 2025
Readers can shed the funk with Lakewood Ranch author's 'Unfunkt'

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now