The Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen House & Culinary Garden is throwing its annual winter fundraiser on Dec. 7, bringing together seven of Orlando's most decorated chefs for a night of seasonal bites, cocktails and a mission to get more local kids cooking. Winter Gather & Graze runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 26 E. King St. in College Park, with general admission tickets priced at $195 per person.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the event is open only to guests 21 and older and will proceed rain or shine. That rain-or-shine detail matches what The Kitchen House's own event listing says, which also notes that guests can snag a reserved table for $2,500 — seating for eight in the heart of the event, with only four tables available. Sponsors get early access to the grounds at 5:30 p.m., a half-hour ahead of general admission.
Beyond the food and drink, organizers are framing the night around what the ticket price actually buys: a shot at changing a kid's relationship with vegetables. The Sentinel reports that each ticket opens an opportunity for a child to build skills and confidence in the kitchen, per Sara Elliott, the organization's co-executive director. “Every child deserves to know the joy of pulling a carrot from the ground and turning it into a meal they're proud of,” Elliott said, according to the Sentinel's reporting.
Seven Chefs, One College Park Stage
The chef ambassador lineup reads like a tour of Orlando's fine-dining scene. Kevin Fonzo of La Tavola serves as head chef ambassador of The Kitchen House, joined by Jamie McFadden of Cuisiniers Catered Cuisine & Events, Fabrizio Schenardi of Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Wendy Lopez of Reyes Mezcaleria and Sparrow, Lordfer Lalicon of Kaya, and James and Julie Petrakis of The Ravenous Pig — all confirmed by the Sentinel's reporting. The outlet notes the group has collectively drawn recognition from the Michelin Guide, the James Beard Foundation and the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards.
Guests will taste seasonal bites paired with cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine, per the Sentinel, while also getting the chance to explore the teaching kitchen and garden, bid on raffle prizes, and customize a homegrown culinary craft to take home. The Kitchen House's own listing echoes several of those offerings, describing a chance to “taste & sip seasonal bites crafted by our Chef Ambassadors” and build a take-home craft, with raffle proceeds going toward “the mission.”
Why The Money Matters
Fonzo, for his part, tied the fundraiser to the season itself. “The holiday spirit is about giving back and coming together as family and friends,” he said, according to the Sentinel. Elliott added that the evening is meant to celebrate the broader community, saying: “Winter Gather & Graze is a celebration of our community, and it’s how neighbors, chefs and local businesses help us keep these programs going.”
Those programs are the actual point of the ticket price. The Kitchen House delivers hands-on garden-to-kitchen activities for youth in transitional housing, affordable housing and food-insecure neighborhoods, according to the organization's own website. The Sentinel reports that students from Orlando Junior Academy take part in the organization's regular programming.
A Spring Gather & Graze
Winter Gather & Graze isn't the organization's only fundraiser of its kind. A separate Gather & Graze event benefiting The Kitchen House was held in April at Lake Meadow Naturals Farm in Ocoee, running from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and also charging $195 per ticket, with limited VIP sponsorships available. That spring edition featured nine different chef stations offering curated bites and guest interaction with culinary teams, with all proceeds benefiting The Kitchen House and its programs.
Would-be attendees of the December event should note the fine print before buying in. The Kitchen House's registration page states that all ticket sales are final, and asks attendees to acknowledge a release of the organization from liability for damages tied to personal injury on or about the premises. Those are the terms as stated on the registration page itself, not an assessment of how enforceable they might be.
