Nothing brings people together like food, especially when the food is among the best the area has to offer.
That was the goal when the first Caring Chefs charity event was held 39 years ago and that was the case once again this year.
This year’s event was held at The Glass Factory in Jacksonville on Oct. 8 and raised roughly $84,000 to benefit the Children’s Home Society of Florida and its northeast Florida programs.
The proceeds will help the programs with the various needs that arise, as the programs offer initiatives, such as, early childhood services, community partnership schools, the Buckner Place teen parenting program and counseling and mental health services.
According to Michelle Harp, development manager with Children’s Home Society of Florida, it was the second year that the event was held at The Glass Factory after years at the Avenues Mall, and year two at the venue was much smoother and she can see the event continuing to grow at the site in the years to come.
After the COVID-19 pandemic and the venue change, the event has been through a lot in recent years, but this year showed signs that the decades long tradition is getting back to where it was prior to the pandemic.
“This year we really tried to work hard to get it back in front of the people with our promotion of it,” Harp said. “We know people love it because it is an inexpensive way to enjoy some of the best quality food there is. There’s a reason it is a tradition that people look forward to each year.”
Some of the differences at this year’s event included more seating available, as 20-plus extra tables were added for people to sit and enjoy their food throughout the evening.
“That was a big, because when you have food sometimes you just want to find a place to sit down and enjoy it, and not have to stand up all night long,” Harp said.
According to Harp, a mix of 23 restaurants, sommeliers and breweries were included in the lineup of food and drink vendors. Each one of them was a local establishment.
“Having that local vibe is important to us and for people, because it’s places they know and can appreciate more,” Harp said.
Other changes that added to the vibe were simply a product of being more familiar with the venue and learning from the first time hosting an event there a year ago.
This included a better place for the live band and having more room for attendees to move around and even show off their dance moves on an added dance floor.
Although this year’s event was a major success, Harp and many others are already anxiously awaiting next year’s event which will celebrate 40 years of Caring Chefs.
“With our 40th anniversary next year, we’re going to blow it out and we have some really cool stuff planned to celebrate.”
