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Brothers Ted Lee and Matt Lee prepare a food demonstration for the crowd of over 300 people. They expressed gratitude for being selected to be a part of the Celebrity Chef to benefit the United Food Bank.
Guests mingled with one another before dinner and enjoyed a vast array of Silent Auction items. Donated gifts included, but were not limited to, restaurant and merchant gift cards, gift baskets, a bike, a Yeti cooler, Jules Burt Paintings, sports autographed pictures and memorabilia, jewelry, and tickets to theme parks. A live auction featured dinner for six at the Corner Store in Plant City as well as dinner for six for a meal in Charleston prepared by the Lee Bros. Raffle tickets were sold for chances to win gifts. John Lynch of Brandon was excited to be the highest bidder of the dinner for six in Charleston. He bought the opportunity to have a private meal in Charleston catered by the Lee Bros. for $2500. He exclaimed, “Forget the money . . .It is
all about the cause! I am Charleston Bound!” Christine Miller was excited with the evening’s record-breaking results. She offered, “We should make close to $80,000 on this event to help feed the hungry in our area. I am so grateful for all the support we have received.” Star Distribution was the event’s Presenting Sponsor. Platnum Sponsors included Gordon Food Service and Unity in the Community. Other individuals and community businesses also joined in as sponsors. Congratulations to the Food Bank on the success of Celebrity Chef and for all the organization does to help end hunger in our community! And a big thanks to the Lee Brothers for a wonderful demonstration.
8TH ANNUAL
CELEBRITY CHEF DINNER LEE BROTHERS COOKING DEMONSTRATION BRINGS CHARLESTON TO PLANT CITY BY SHERRIE MUELLER
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ear after year, the Annual Celebrity Chef Dinner keeps getting bigger and better! Despite rainy weather, more than 300 people attended the Eighth Annual upscale fundraiser to benefit the United Food Bank of Plant City. Chef brothers Ted and Matt Lee, “The Lee Bros.”, brought Southern dishes Charleston style to the delight of the guests who gathered for a delicious meal and great local cause. Served at the John R. Trinkle Center on the Hillsborough Community College in Plant City, the evening opened with a welcome by Brian West, food bank board member. Brian introduced Roxanne Wilder, who emceed from that point forward. Roxanne has served as anchor, host and reporter for radio and television stations.
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Carole Wright chaired the event and was assisted by Co-Chair Leigh Scott, Christine Miller, Director of the United Food Bank, and a committee of volunteers. South Florida Baptist Hospital’s 911 Catering prepared the meal from a menu and recipes provided by the Lee Bros. The night’s culinary delights included Smothered Pork Chops, Salmon, Sweet Potatoes with Sorghum Marshmallows, Brussels Sprouts with Benne and Bacon, Salad, Bread, and a dessert choice of Cheesecake with a Strawberry glaze or Bread Pudding with Pineapple. The food was served buffet style with ample servings for all. The attractively decorated tables featured centerpieces comprised of canned food, ribbon and flowers by All A Bloom Florist.
Aimee Solomon and Jim Scott sold raffle tickets for prizes to benefit the United Food Bank.
John Lynch (center) is all smiles to personally meet Ted and Matt Lee. John, of Brandon, purchased in the live auction a meal for six in Charleston prepared by the Lee Brothers