• 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

Truly Valued hosts Taste of New Orleans to benefit children's and family programming


  • By Janet Combs
  • | 11:21 a.m. October 12, 2025
  • Black Tie
  • Share
CAMERA READY

What: Taste of New Orleans

Benefiting: Truly Valued

When: October 11, 2025

Where: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens


Amy Holmes, Truly Valued CEO and founder Shavonne Johnson and Charles Whitfield
Amy Holmes, Truly Valued CEO and founder Shavonne Johnson and Charles Whitfield
Janet Combs
Chris Ostermeyer and Sarah Reno check guest Mary Butler (center) in for the Taste of New Orleans event on Oct. 11.
Chris Ostermeyer and Sarah Reno check guest Mary Butler (center) in for the Taste of New Orleans event on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
Phyllis and Hank Battie arrive at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans event on Oct. 11.
Phyllis and Hank Battie arrive at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans event on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
Kenny and Sherika Evans dazzle as they enter Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans.
Kenny and Sherika Evans dazzle as they enter Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans.
Janet Combs
LaDina and Omar Evans arrive.
LaDina and Omar Evans arrive.
Janet Combs
Anthony Harrell arrives at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans event held on Oct. 11.
Anthony Harrell arrives at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans event held on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
Jessica, Annette and Connie Martinez arrive at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans event held on Oct. 11.
Jessica, Annette and Connie Martinez arrive at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the Taste of New Orleans event held on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
This is the first Taste of New Orleans event Cynthia Argalas and Don Lockett have attended.
This is the first Taste of New Orleans event Cynthia Argalas and Don Lockett have attended.
Janet Combs
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans event at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Oct. 11.
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans event at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
Jordan Zarves, Jessie Martinez and Corey and Cody Zarves
Jordan Zarves, Jessie Martinez and Corey and Cody Zarves
Janet Combs
Mark and Marie Masferrer
Mark and Marie Masferrer
Janet Combs
Matthew and Macy Grochowski, Lucia Villalpando and Leslie Harrell
Matthew and Macy Grochowski, Lucia Villalpando and Leslie Harrell
Janet Combs
Terri Watson and Betsy Friedman
Terri Watson and Betsy Friedman
Janet Combs
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans on Oct. 11 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 100 guests.
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans on Oct. 11 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 100 guests.
Janet Combs
Nehemiah Simon with his mom, Shavonne Johnson.
Nehemiah Simon with his mom, Shavonne Johnson.
Janet Combs
Sharon Folta's favorite date for 36 years is her husband, Howard.
Sharon Folta's favorite date for 36 years is her husband, Howard.
Janet Combs
Donta Abner and Jordyn Simon
Donta Abner and Jordyn Simon
Janet Combs
Bene and Joyce White coordinated their colors for Taste of New Orleans.
Bene and Joyce White coordinated their colors for Taste of New Orleans.
Janet Combs
Armando Faucy-Smith and his mom, Robyn Faucy attend Taste of New Orleans on Oct. 11.
Armando Faucy-Smith and his mom, Robyn Faucy attend Taste of New Orleans on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
Jerri Johnson, Michelle Louis-Schnakenberg, Elizabeth Negron, Katie Paterson, Brittany Henson and Penny Donley
Jerri Johnson, Michelle Louis-Schnakenberg, Elizabeth Negron, Katie Paterson, Brittany Henson and Penny Donley
Janet Combs
Alex Ivanov assists Dee Dawkins, Rebecca Stern and Tatra Carmichael with the New Orleans themed photo booth.
Alex Ivanov assists Dee Dawkins, Rebecca Stern and Tatra Carmichael with the New Orleans themed photo booth.
Janet Combs
Nick Salmon, Ramone Dada Drummer Smith, Chad Keys Munroe and Lorenzo Grooveologist West make up the band Nostaljah.
Nick Salmon, Ramone Dada Drummer Smith, Chad Keys Munroe and Lorenzo Grooveologist West make up the band Nostaljah.
Janet Combs
Charles Whitfield gives a welcome speech and introduction at Taste of New Orleans on Oct. 11.
Charles Whitfield gives a welcome speech and introduction at Taste of New Orleans on Oct. 11.
Janet Combs
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans event on Oct. 11 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 100 guests.
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans event on Oct. 11 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 100 guests.
Janet Combs
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans Oct. 11 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 100 guests.
Truly Valued held its annual Taste of New Orleans Oct. 11 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for 100 guests.
Janet Combs

 

Latest News

You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
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 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager speaks at a Rotary Club of Longboat Key meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16. Mager, who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement primarily in Delray Beach, said LBKPD has training requirements similar to the much larger city of Delray and that officers on the Key are well prepared for any event that may take place thanks to partnerships the department has with neighboring jurisdictions.
  • December 4, 2025
Longboat police chief begins community video series

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 Black Tie

Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy
Kristin Morton, John Grady Burns, Pat Mudgett and Kellie Menke
  • November 21, 2025
Founders Garden Club welcomes celebrity floral designer to annual luncheon
Troy Turner and Resilient Retreat founder Dr. Sidney Turner
  • November 17, 2025
Resilient Retreat transports guests to the Mediterranean
Marie Monsky and Marvin Kadesh
  • November 17, 2025
Brunch plays a note to raise money for Sarasota Youth Orchestra
Raleigh Mosely, Donald Frison, Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and Jazzmin Carson
  • November 17, 2025
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe shows off its heart and soul at fall gala
Keep calm and party on: Co-Chairs Renee Phinney, Lauren Dixon, Lauren Wohlwend and Allison Imre along with event planner Minta Getzen (center) make sure that every detail of Wine, Women & Shoes is handled with the utmost care.
  • November 15, 2025
Wine, Women & Shoes steps up in support of Forty Carrots Family Center

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