Celebrity chefs share tastes of culinary creations to benefit Ann Storck Center

For its 26th year, the Celebrity Chefs Food Tasting & Auction benefiting Ann Storck Center brought in 26 Broward County restaurants, breweries and bakeries for an evening of food, entertainment and giving at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

More than 350 members of the business and philanthropic community joined the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Marcia and Joel Hochberg for the tasting event in support of the Ann Storck Center, a nonprofit organization with the mission to enrich the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities and care for the most medically fragile in South Florida.

With cocktail hour from Funky Buddha Brewery, silent auction sponsored by Tobias Financial Advisors and entertainment by dueling pianists Brandon Parsons and Nate Rodriguez, Ann Storck Center CEO Terri Shermett served as mistress of ceremonies.

“Our annual Chefs event is a special evening dedicated to our generous community of donors and supporters — old and new — who keep us on track with vital, mission-related efforts,” she said in a statement. “We are indebted to our generous partners, sponsors, chefs and restaurants. We are so blessed to be part of a community that shows up for one another.”

The Marvin Gutter Leadership Awards were presented to the center’s advocates and supporters, including Alan and Joan Ast, former state senator Rene Garcia and Tobias Financial Advisors.

Visit AnnStorckCenter.org.

RJ PHOTOGRAPH Alan and Joan Ast, center, receive the Marvin Gutter Leadership Award for Altruistic Spirit, presented by Ann Storck Center CEO Terri Shermett, 2019 Chefs presenting sponsor Joel Hochberg, and Ann Storck Center board chairman Jon Bandes, right.

RJ PHOTOGRAPH Ann Storck Center’s Board of Directors present the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a commemorative 2019 Celebrity Chefs cutting board.

ANN STORCK CENTER Members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida pose for a picture at the 2019 Celebrity Chefs Food Tasting & Auction. The Seminole Tribe of Florida was a presenting sponsor of the 2019 Chefs event and is a longtime supporter of Ann Storck Center.

ANN STORCK CENTER Durante Blais-Billie, Miss Florida Seminole, a featured speaker, poses at the 2019 Celebrity Chefs Food Tasting & Auction.