Make-A-Wish Southern Florida brings South Africa to Sarasota
Cooking for Wishes: A Taste of Africa was held Feb. 22 at Michael's On East.
By
Kayleigh Omang
| 1:49 p.m. February 22, 2018
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Michael's On East was filled with drumbeats, dancing and guests in bright, bold prints for the eighth annual Cooking for Wishes: A Taste of Africa.
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida hosted its lively luncheon Feb. 22 and allowed guests to become chefs under the direction of Michael's On East Co-Owner Phil Mancini and Executive Chef Jamil Pineda. The African-inspired dishes had guests cooking up congo-seared sriracha scallops and moroccan ginger rosemary rubbed flat iron steak.
This year's theme made a full-circle, with guest Emily Barley, a Make-A-Wish recipient in attendance. Barley's wish was to visit South Africa, where she went on an African safari and took photos. A few of her printed pieces were available for bidding in the silent auction.
The luncheon ended with a live auction for several items such as a weeklong trip to Morocco.
But no party would be complete without dessert. The last chefs of the night ignited the party with a flaming dessert: Cape Town flambeed banana.
Co-Chairwomen Terri Klauber and Renee Phinney
Terri Klauber, Emily Barley and Michael Klauber
The Cooking for Wishes committee poses with Make-A-Wish recipient Emily Barley.
Leopard print was featured in the napkins and chair ribbons.
Each guest received a bag on their chair.
With the funds raised for this event, 40 wishes are able to be granted for children with critical illnesses.
The tables were decorated with the African native plant, Birds of Paradise.
Guests took turns cooking one of the four courses.
This portrait of an African elephant was taken by Emily Barley in South Africa.
Emily Barley's photographs were available in the silent auction.
Brentney Stevens dances at Cooking For Wishes.
Bretney Stevens and other members of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe perform before lunch.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe members perform an authentic African dance and song during cocktail hour.
Donald Walts plays the drums.
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs and the WBTT dancers keep the atmosphere lively during cocktail hour.
Pam Sullivan and Randi Donahue
Amy Hammon and Lainey Dunn
Melissa Whitehurst and Bri Oliva
Dona Lasseter and Peter Burk
Kara Saunders and Karen Van Lindonk
The table decor and chairs featured warm, bright colors and animal prints.
Daria Spina, Donna Koffman, Stacie Baer and Tammy Karp
Lori Greenbaum and Lee Tuck
Some of the silent auction items, such as these elephants, were made in Africa.
Marcia Krajewski and Kim Geyer
Wendy Merriman and Penny Digiovanna
Julio and Ashley Diaz, Katrina and Matt Otchet, Amanda and Jason Johnson with Lindsay and Chad Westrick
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida CEO Norm Wedderburn and Tom Doan
Jolene DiRocco, Angela Flaherty and Kristina Swain
Wendy Rossiter, Nalani Simson, Autumn Stiner and Linda Krysinski
Asa Thomas, Tomeika Koski and Jaclyne Brunckhorst
The dancers put on a show with traditional African choreography.
Megan Greenberg, Karen Van Lindonk, Brigid Saah, Sarah Massey, Ali McCarthy and Kara Saunders
Amy and Josh Sankes with Doug and Jen Grosso
Margaret Mobley, Marsha Sutter and Paula Martin
Guests take photos in the African safari-themed booth.
Metal African animals were placed throughout Michael's On East.
Even the straws held an African flair.
Ingredients for the first course included shrimp and scallops.
Joanna Roberti and Barb Lancer
Co-Chairwoman Terri Klauber gives the welcome speech.
Regional Director of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida Rebecca Blitz talks about the children who have been granted wishes.
Joanna Roberti and Barb Lancer take a photo with the cooking pan.
Michael's On East Co-Owner Phil Mancini and Executive Chef Jamil Pineda direct the chefs.
Minoo Messinger and Melissa Howard
Guests took turns cooking for each course.
Rob Moulds, Don Vichitvongsh and Rod Hershberger
The first course featured scallops and shrimp.
Donna Koffman cooks the first course.
Executive Chef Jamil Pineda cooks his dish under a mirror so guests can see what he is doing.
Congo-seared sriracha scallop and shrimp was the first course of the luncheon.
Michael Klauber sells star necklaces for the raffle.
The decor transformed the ballroom of Michael's On East into Africa.
Tom Doan, Chariman of the Board of Directors Shareef Malnik and Make-A-Wish Southern Florida CEO Norm Wedderburn
Executive Chef Jamil Pineda pours the cream in the pan for the second course.
