More than a dozen chefs from some of the top restaurants, resorts and clubs of the South came to Ponte Vedra Beach last weekend to share their culinary talents at the annual Delicious Destinations food and wine event to benefit St. Vincent’s HealthCare Foundation.
Held Sept. 8-10 at the Five Diamond Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, the three-day event featuring epicurean delicacies attracted hundreds of local residents to sample and savor the best “Farm to Fork” regional cuisine.
“Where else can you visit The Breakers, Mar-a-Lago and The Greenbrier all in one evening?” asked foundation President Jane Lanier, naming just a few of the prestigious resorts whose chefs participated in the event to benefit St. Vincent’s community outreach services. This year’s event also celebrated the 100th anniversary of St. Vincent’s.
In addition to enjoying gourmet food and wine pairings, guests had an opportunity to bid on a variety of live and silent auction items. Attendees strolled amid the silent auction offerings, bidding on packages ranging from handmade jewelry and golf outings to spa and restaurant gift certificates. Also on display was a “giving tree,” where attendees could choose to make a donation to pay for such much-needed community health services as eyeglasses, mammograms or a vaccination for a homeless person.
Live auction items, meanwhile, included a getaway to Sea Island, Georgia, a trip to Turks & Caicos, a golf weekend at Mar-a-Lago and more.
Proceeds from Delicious Destinations benefit the community outreach programs of St. Vincent’s HealthCare Foundation, including its Mobile Health Outreach Ministry which brings free adult and pediatric patient services to nearly 15,000 residents in need across the First Coast. St. Vincent’s breast diagnostic program, mobile mammography services and faith community nursing programs are also among the initiatives supported by Delicious Destinations.
