Grape Fest Held Last Week for Families of Children at The Children’s Hospital
Long live the Grape!
More than 50 patients of the children’s hospital, their siblings and parents enjoyed Grape Fest 2008 this last week on Thursday, Nov. 13. Grape Fest was a special dinner party just for them featuring a gourmet “kids meal” compliments of the chefs of Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club and Norman Love Confections.
As part of the Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest to be held next February at Miromar Lakes and to benefit The Children’s Hospital, the chefs and other friends gathered together to create a memorable evening for families who need a lift.
Doug MacGregor, cartoonist of the News Press, helped the children design chef’s, DJ Ron Rutz played music and brought maracas while artists Aida Bukovica assisted children in painting a mural and visiting artist Craig Bone, of South Africa, demonstrated his ability as he painted an elephant for the kids and signed prints of his famous animal artistry.
Kristen Palazzo of Premier Beverage poured a variety of grape juice for the families.
The children enjoyed the VIP treatment... featuring kid-sized hors d’ouevres like mini-hot dogs and hamburgers followed by entrees of the best mac n’ cheese a kid can find, tortellini and pasta with meatballs….all served with love by the Miromar Lakes chefs.
Norman Love topped off the evening with sugar cookies and dozens of candy decorations for the kids to create their own custom desserts…and of course his delectable chocolates --- the kids favorite? Peanut butter and jelly!
The Southwest Florida Wine & Food Fest is sponsored by Northern Trust, Saks, Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, Oswald Trippe & Co., Specialty Risk Management and Private Client Insurance, Edison State College, Bank of Florida, The News Press, Grandeur Magazine, Palm Printing – Strategic Solutions, Angelina’s Ristorante, and Miromar Lakes Beach & Golf Club. The event will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 27 & 28, 2009. Produced by SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc., the 2009 Wine & Food Fest’s proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida and Edison State College’s pediatric nursing program. For more information on how to get involved – please go to www.SWFLWineFest.org.
