First Coast Register August/September 2015

Delicious Destinations begins plans for annual tour of taste by KELLY H. MCDERMOTT Delicious Destinations has begun to prepare its annual culinary tour de force—with a French twist this year. The event is an annual three-day celebration of food and wine featuring acclaimed chefs from some of the South’s most iconic restaurants and resorts. Celebrating its 14th year at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, the event raises funds for the St. Vincent’s Foundation and supports its critically important community health outreach programs. This year’s theme is “Tour de France,” and the celebrity chef featured at the annual luncheon that kicks off events will be Chef Jean-Pierre of Ft. Lauderdale. This year’s event chairs are Jennifer and Henry Brown; Kelley and Stephen Kunz and Kirsten and Josh Martino. The events begin on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 11:30 a.m. with a celebrity chef reception and luncheon at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Conference Center. Tickets are available for the luncheon for $150. This event is followed by a private chef reception for major donors and sponsors on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Inn & Club. Guests at this reception will enjoy a culinary selection prepared by Executive Chef Hermann Muller of the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Finally, the main event will be hosted on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. In addition to food and wine pairings, the event will include silent auctions and drawings for unique items including spa and restaurant gift certificates, catered dinners, weekend getaways and other gifts. Individual tickets are $250 and may be purchased at deliciousdestinationsjax.com. Sponsorship packages for the Sept. 10-12, 2015 event are available from $2,500 to $50,000 and include reservations for the Saturday gala, the Major Sponsors’ Private reception with the visiting Delicious Destinations chefs on Friday, Sept. 11 and rooms at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Returning this year is the Epicure Sponsorship at $1,200 per couple, which includes two reservations for the Sept. 12 event and a room at the luxurious Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Bottom Seated: Left to Right - Aly Leeper, Wendy Updegraff, Jessica Wynne, Co-Chair Jennifer Brown, Co-Chair Kelley Kunz, Katie Gabriel, Kristen Gavazzi, Debbie English; Top Standing: Left to Right - Jessica Waugaman, Stephanie Young, Danielle Frey, Susan Kelly, Manala Douglas, Brooke Acosta-Rua, Co-Chair Kirsten Martino, Rebecca Witt, Joycelyn Koehler, Sarah Boggs, Molly Berquist, Deanna Fene Holland, Jane Lanier. Photo provided by Jessica Waugaman 46 August - September 2015 | First Coast Register

First Coast Register August/September 2015 | Page 46