Raising Awareness for Childhood Obesity with @RobertIrvine & @Zac_Kara #FHGourmetsoiree

Up to one out of every five children in the U. S. is overweight or obese. That’s more than 23 million children and teenagers. Those extra pounds put kids at a greater risk of developing a host of debilitating diseases, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

As a child, I myself could’ve well been considered obese. And even today at the age of forty three I am fighting those extra pounds I picked up along the way. Thankfully, our children have the support and resources from health organizations such as Florida Hospital who have partnered with WebMD and Sanford Health to get local families involved in their FIT initiative. An educational and health promotion initiative focused on promoting health, wellness, and preventing childhood obesity among kids ages 2-18. Additionally providing resources for parents, children and healthcare professionals.

Florida Hospital initiated a unique interactive dining experience Gourmet Soiree featuring a reception, live/silent auctions, and a healthy meal prepared by local chefs with the assistance of guests at each table. Hosted by none other than Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible show’s Chef Robert Irvine, It’s an exciting evening filled with camaraderie, love, and fabulous food. Chef Irvine is also actively involved with the Robert Irvine Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that honors men and women defending our country. He also founded Robert Irvine Foods, a new line of “better for you” products and is the author of three books; Mission Cook, Impossible to Easy and his newest book, Fit Fuel.

The 2016 Gourmet Soiree, held on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Rosen Shingle Creek raised “over $250,000” to benefit Florida Hospital for Children’s Mission fit Possible program. Drum Roll please!!

Top Central Florida chefs were invited to participate and compete for the Gourmet Soiree Silver Fork award. Each chef was tasked to provide an original healthy recipe and then lead a table of 10 guests in the preparation of the meal in 30 minutes. Proteins were provided courtesy of Sysco and nearly 150 ingredients donated by Whole Food Market® pantries.

Here are a few delightful dishes created by a group of uber talented chefs who consider Orlando home.

Judging the Silver Fork Awards were Celebrity Chef Emily Ellyn, Rosen Executive Chef Jorge Oliveira, Food Critic Scott Joseph, Chef Ash Nickell, and our host Robert Irvine.

Top 5 chefs out of 60+ were selected and one was awarded the Silver Fork Award:

• Chef Laurent Hollaender- The Boheme at Grand Bohemian Orlando (Winner of Silver Fork Award)
• Chef Gary Appelsies- YMCA of Central Florida
• Chef Phillip Fisher- MOOR at Gaylord Palms Resort
• MasterChef Zac Kara– MasterChef kids
• Corwin Cowart- Corwin’s Personal Chef and Catering Services

Our team sponsored by Whole Foods Dr. Philips Crossing was lead by the talented Master Chef Junior Zac Kara. Chef Kara’s wining dish Sauteed Chicken with Cauliflower Puree, Mushrooms, Faro, Pomgernate Reduction, and Basil-Yogurt Aioli earned the top 5 spot. Yeah, he is that good!!!

Check out his impeccable plating skills!!

Bookmark next year and join us for an evening of fun with friends, interactive cooking and fabulous food while providing opportunities for the children and families in our community to live a healthy life.

2016 Participating Chefs

4Rivers Smokehouse — Andrea Zelen	Aggressive Appliances — Cheryl Jaskot
An Appealing Plan — Krayl Funch	Brio Tuscan Grille — Kirk Wright
Canvas Restaurant & Market — Bryan Thoman	Capa- Four Seasons Resort  — Tim Dacey
Caribe Royal — Dameon Brown	Chuck Wagon Home Cooking – Ed Hollingsworth
Corwin’s Personal Chef & Catering  — Corwin Cowart	Cuba Libre — Jose Gonzalez
East End Market — Jessica Tantalo	Edible Education Experience — Sarah Cahill
Ellie Lou’s BBQ — Dennis Cheplick	Ferguson — Byron Boquet
Foodie Catering — Raul Bosch	Fresh From Florida — Paula Kendrick
Fueling Performance Athletes — Andy Williams	Harry’s Poolside Grill Rosen Centre — Tello Luna
Houndstooth Sauce Company — David Bressler	Hyatt Regency Orlando — Jared Gross
Innisbrook Golf Resort — Sean Copeland	JHM Hotel Delta Marriott — Michael Monaghan
John & Shirley’s Catering — Shirley Stamper	K Restaurant — Kevin Fonzo
La Femme Du Fromage — Tonda Corrente	Maddey’s Craft & Cru — Jimmy Johnston
MasterChef Contestant — Zac Kara	MOOR at Gaylord Palms Resort — Phillip Fisher
NOVA — Val Domingo	Old Hickory Steakhouse at Gaylord Palms -George Yiu
Pizza BRUNO — Bruno Zacchini	Puff ‘n Stuff Catering — Jason Pepin
Ravello- Four Seasons Resort  — Fabrizio Schenardi	Ribs Within — Doug Keiles
Ricciardi’s Italian Table — Giacomo Guagliardo	Rosen College of Hospitality Management — Kate Wilson
Sabor Aruba Festival — Antonio Albertsz	Schofield Restaurant Group, LLC. — Jason Schofield
Se7enbites — Trina Gregory-Propst	Sus Hi Eatstation — Robert Quintana
Sysco Central Florida — Nora Galdiano	Sysco Central Florida — Luis Reyes
The Black Rooster Taqueria — John Calloway	Boheme Restaurant at Grand Bohemian Orlando — Laurent Hollaender
The Oceanaire Seafood Room — Daniel Juarez	The Rusty Spoon — Reanna McNamara
The Sanctum Café — Emily Congdon	This Honest Food — Dawn Viola
The Whiskey — Hugh Holland	Two Chicks and a pot Catering — Beth Hazley
UNO Pizzeria Grill — Daniel Son	Welli Desserts — Kristine Thomas
Yak & Yeti — Faithy Harris-Dowdell	YMCA of Central Florida — Gary Appelsies

PS: Chef Irvine is a chivalrous gentleman and sweetheart. Don’t let his muscular stature fool you.

Photo Credits: Gary West, Krystle Nguyen, and Fotobox Live.

Until next time, have a delicious day and stay fit!!

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