Chef’s Showcase at the Fort Harrison Enjoyed by Local Foodies, Benefits Children

CLEARWATER, Fla. - June 13, 2013 - PRLog -- CLEARWATER, FL:  On June 9th, five chefs, five courses and five wines were paired with 85 guests from all over the Tampa Bay area to raise $7,000 for the Clearwater Community Volunteers. Held in the 10th floor Crystal Ballroom of the Fort Harrison, the event was a unique opportunity to see a part of Clearwater’s history, while enjoying an excellent meal for a good cause.

         The event was co-hosted by Tampa Bay Magazine and participating chefs included the Fort Harrison’s Executive Chef, Zoltan Vajna; the Deputy Executive Chef of the Fort Harrison, Nico Roth; Hyatt Resort at Clearwater Beach’s Executive Chef Richard Preston; Gourmet Foods International Corporate Chef Asbel Reyes and the Chief Chocolate Officer and Founder of William Dean Chocolates, Chef Bill Brown.

         The funds raised were donated to the Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV), who for more than 20 years have provided events, food and toy drives and fundraisers to benefit children and families in Pinellas County. CCV is well known for Clearwater’s Winter Wonderland, which attracts thousands of visitors to downtown Clearwater every December.

         The Clearwater Community Volunteers began as the Women’s Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology, and has since grown to include many men and non-Scientologists in its volunteer ranks.

         “CCV is an all-volunteer organization and we are very proud of all of their work in the community,” said Pat Harney, the spokesperson for the Church of Scientology in Clearwater. “As humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard once said, ‘You save a child and you save the nation’ and this group definitely takes that to heart.”

         Since 1975, the Fort Harrison has served as the international religious retreat for the Church of Scientology. Undergoing a complete restoration and renovation in 2009, the Fort Harrison has hosted charity concerts, dinners, community meetings and an annual Holiday Brunch, all which support the Pinellas County community.

         For more information about the Clearwater Community Volunteers, please go to www.clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org.