The magic of Circus Arts Conservatory's Sailor Circus was tapped into by the Southern Florida chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the 14th annual colorful and creative interactive dinner titled Cooking For Wishes.Â
Led by co-chairs Terri Klauber, Renee Phinney and Lauren Dixon, their vision of this epic evening was themed upon "The Wizard of Oz," and held on Feb. 22. Tickets quickly sold out and 400 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, performers and a dinner created by Michael's On East. Many dressed in theme as characters from the movie hit of 1939.
As an interactive dinner, guests helped prepare the meal with the direction of head chef Jamil Pineda. Three courses included East Avenue Bouillabaisse, Yellow Brick Road Garden Pasta, and Red Slippers Flat Iron Steak, and all recipes are paired with wine from Klauber's personal wine collection. The Wicked Witch Chocolate Torte was as deliciously evil as its name implies.
A live auction was held and all monies raised through this event and others is dedicated to changing the lives of children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are facing medical battles.Â
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida serves children and families in 22 Florida counties in Southeast and Southwest Florida, the Tampa Bay and Suncoast regions, Â and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Over 14,000 wishes have been granted since forming in Plantation, Florida, in 1983.
From Cirque Vertigo are the Tin Man Aydar Rakhmatullin, Cowardly Lion Roma, Cooking for Wishes Co-Chair Terri Klauber with Luna staring as Toto, emcee Michael Kaluber, and performers Braden Baker, Faith Marie, Ainsley McLaughlin, Steffi Goldstone, Lincoln Rhoades and Farrah Moreno
Photo by Janet Combs
CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Norman Wedderburn, Advisory Board Member Terri Klauber, and Regional Director Taylor Marini greet 400 guests at Sailor Circus.
Photo by Janet Combs
Howard Kleinfeld and Lila Watkins use a crystal ball and predict fair winds and a successful event as Professor Marvel (aka The Wizard) and Dorothy.
Photo by Janet Combs
Sashi and Revo the donkey from Addi's Pony Parties provided the live petting zoo.
Photo by Janet Combs
Booker High School student Gina Rose Masarik, 15, enjoys a side-hustle performing as Miss Gulch, aka, The Wicked Witch of the West
Photo by Janet Combs
Melanie and Sean Natarajan
Photo by Janet Combs
Tara Parra, Monica Pasek, and Jacob and Brianna Wener
Photo by Janet Combs
Front: Linda Doan, co-chairs Lauren Dixon, Terri Klauber, and Renee Phinney, with Mary Gratehouse: Back: Elizabeth Topp, Ronna Bridges, Laura Leeming, Sarah Renkliyuz and Tammy Karp
Photo by Janet Combs
Dino and Elizabeth Klamson with their son, Jason, and his business partner Jeffrey Karasawa
Photo by Janet Combs
Lisa Jayne Warren-Wallace, Rita Radi and Gina Warren
Photo by Janet Combs
Robert and Betty Pelc with Tim and Colleen Tevens
Photo by Janet Combs
Max Mann, Shak and Taylor Teymuri, and Kevin Lee
Photo by Janet Combs
Retta and John Wagner with Brenda Michel
Photo by Janet Combs
Jaime Smither, Rana Tierney, Sandra Albano, Briana Topp, Samantha Albano and Elizabeth Topp
Photo by Janet Combs
Ken Rollyson, Jeanne Paulus, Scott Allen and Mimi Carlin
Photo by Janet Combs
Patricia Sciturro, Marti Piccirilli, Ed and Judy Balmer, Joe and Mary Frances Bacher
Photo by Janet Combs
Monica Roberti with Jay and Barbara Lancer
Photo by Janet Combs
Sarah Suls, Rita Thibault and Mimi Carlin
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael's On East server Maricielo Vasquez preps the chef stations at each table
Photo by Janet Combs
Asa Harris, Jason Champion, Nikki Logan Curran and Joanna Roberti
Photo by Janet Combs
Starr Humphries, Linda McCampbell with husband, Rick, and Melanie Natarajan
Photo by Janet Combs
Suellen Tillman with husband, Davis, and Dolores and Steve Sudhop
Photo by Janet Combs
Bart Leereveld, Laura Leeming, Gray and Mike Swor, John Leeming, and Janet Hagan with her scarecrow husband, Mike
Photo by Janet Combs
Dr. Ricardo Montero, Dr. Alexander Montero, Dr. Vu Tran, Dr. Jennine Santeiro, event co-chair Lauren Dixon, and husband, Dr. Dustin Dixon
Photo by Janet Combs
Courtney Bonacuse, Umbreen Khalidi, Amie Austin Oliva and Maria Beck
Photo by Janet Combs
Katherine Harris as the Good Witch, and her counterpart, Elle McComb, aka The Wicked Witch of the West at Cooking for Wishes, benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael Klauber high-fives Laura Dixon as he exits the stage.
Photo by Janet Combs
Miguel Medina, Lindsey Demarest and Emily Rickerson get ready to present flowers to the co-chairs.
Photo by Janet Combs
Jill Charland and Amanda Denaro
Photo by Janet Combs
Amanda Bond, Lauren Lomangino, Ted Lewis and Rich Biter are guest chefs at Cooking for Wishes.
Photo by Janet Combs
Anne Westman, Robert Pelc and Kim Copeland are guest chefs at Cooking for Wishes.
Photo by Janet Combs
Michael's On East chef Jamil Pineda hosts an interactive dinner for 400 with table chefs following his lead.
Photo by Janet Combs
Table chefs Sandy and Mark Pepper are making sure there is not too much salt in their recipe.
Photo by Janet Combs
Table chefs prepare East Avenue Bouillabaisse at the Cooking for Wishes gala with chef Jamil Pineda
Photo by Janet Combs
David and Jorge Roodbeen, Angelo Sifakes and Lila Watkins found their way into some Oz acreage
Photo by Janet Combs
A very good witch indeed is Gina Wojciechowski, who entertained guests at Cooking for Wishes.
