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VIP Chef Whips Up Successful Fundraiser

United Food Bank

Voila! Celebrity chef Jon Ashton hams it up at a Feb. 6 sponsor reception at the home of Mayor Rick Lott and his wife, Di. From the left are City Commissioner Dan Raulerson, State Attorney Mark Ober, Doug Driggers of Tampa Electric Co. and Lott. They prepared appetizers for the sponsors.

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By DAVE NICHOLSON

dnicholson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - The United Food Bank is still tallying up the figures, but it appears a fundraiser featuring celebrity chef Jon Ashton brought in at least $40,000.

About 230 guests were on hand at the Trinkle center on Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus as Ashton entertained with wit and a cooking demonstration. Ashton, a frequent guest on NBC's "Today" show, also helped auction sports memorabilia, including a photo autographed by former University of Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel.

"Jon was incredible," said Kelleigh Klein, the food bank's executive director, who plans to make the fundraiser an annual event.

Tickets were $75, and thousands of dollars more were brought in by silent and live auctions. Klein said she thinks the event will at least meet the $40,000 goal she set.

The auction included a spontaneous offering in which Ashton offered to return to Plant City to cook a dinner for 12. Charleene Closshey of Plant City submitted the winning $4,000 bid.

The guests were treated to salad, chicken entree and dessert, prepared by culinary students from Plant City High School and Simmons Career Center.

As the evening began, Ashton, with a thick English accent, dead-panned, "As you can tell I'm not from Alabama." He proceeded to crack one-liners as he cooked a chicken dish with the assistance of Peter Ambrosio, a student at the career center.

The night included a video of a mother of triplets who had been helped by the food bank and an appearance by Kayli Bassinger, a 13-year-old Turkey Creek Middle School student who on her own raised $1,700 for the charity.

The emcee was Tampa Tribune food writer Jeff Houck.

The fundraiser, along with donations and volunteer labor, helped the food bank at 712 E. Alsobrook St., Suite 9, keep up with rising demand. More people are seeking the food bank's help amid the economic downturn, Klein said.

"Without events like this, we wouldn't be able to provide for the needs for our community," she said.

Ashton also appeared at Simmons Career Center on Feb. 6, where he showed students from Simmons and Plant City High how to prepare a meal for four for less than $10. He also appeared later that day at a sponsors' reception at Mayor Rick Lott's home.

To help the food bank, call (813) 764-0625.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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