Community serves up support for Southside Elementary School at Cooking for the Arts

Held by Southside School Foundation for the Arts, the event raised over $100,000.

By Ian Swaby
| 5:00 p.m. March 2, 2025

Sarasota
Neighbors

The popularity of Cooking for the Arts, hosted in support of the arts at Southside Elementary School, has increasingly spread to the local community, said co-chair Sepi Ackerman.

On Feb. 28, Ackerman announced to a full ballroom at Michael's on East, that the event's popularity had shifted from the initial 10% community members in attendance who were not Southside families, to 30% the next year, and finally 40% this year.

"Tonight is more than just incredible food and great company," said event co-chair Molly Biter. "It's about ensuring that the creativity, education and inspiration continue to thrive."

Hosted by Southside School Foundation for the Arts, the event welcomed two chefs who are local celebrities, Phil Mancini and Jamil Pineda, who led attendees in cooking dishes included in the four-course dinner, as well as Les McCurdy, owner of McCurdy's Comedy Theatre, who led the event's auction.

This year's theme, "The Art of the Game," featured a black-and-white color palette centered on a chess concept.

The event raised over $100,000 for the foundation, which supplements the school district's arts funding, providing for a performing arts instructor, Tessa Scanlan; school productions specific to different grade levels; supplies related to art, theater and music, and other needs.

Southside Elementary Principal Allison Foster said she appreciated the community's support.

"Sarasota County Schools is an outstanding, top-notch school district and at Southside, we're very fortunate to have parents that are so involved and then the businesses that support us, that allow us to do things that we wouldn't be able to do otherwise," she said.

Patrick Foster and his wife, Southside Elementary Principal Allison Foster, cook some steak.

Performers Ananda Springsteen and Leaflin Winecoff walk on stilts outside Michael's on East. The event's performers were present thanks to Monet Sexauer, a parent at the school, who previously owned a performing business in California.

Patricia Cullen, Southside Elementary Principal Allison Foster, and Morgana Robson

Scott Perrin, Melanie Fischer and Steve Kucera

Jamil Pineda and Phil Mancini lead a cooking session. "Anything that had to do with helping kids is the best thing you can do..." said Pineda. "Anything that has to do with kids is my passion."

Guests cooked a pasta dish at the event.

Ethan Biter and his wife, co-chair Molly Biter, organiztion president Lindsay Howell, and co-chair Sepi Ackerman and her husband Ryan Ackerman.

Heather Blount-Elliott performs with hula hoops as guests enter.

Sarah Anderson (left) and Hilary Galt (right) try performing alongside professional entertainer Heather Blount-Elliott.

Molly Biter and Sepi Ackerman listen as Lindsay Howell speaks.

Les McCurdy, owner of McCurdys Comedy Theatre, leads the auction.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.