Palm Beach Society: 'Ultimate' celebration is 30 years old and just getting started
Sparkling champagne glasses. Designer duds. Elegant interiors.
This is what 30 looks like for the Ultimate Dinner Party.
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The 30th annual event — the signature Palm Beach fundraiser of the Children's Home Society of Florida — took place Nov. 16 and marked the organization's 120th year.
Victor Moore and John J. Tatooles were chairmen for the evening, which began with classic French martinis, hors d’oeuvres and jazz at the historic home of Laetitia and Dr. Ben Han.
After cocktails, the 120 guests dispersed to one of 10 host homes for a dinner prepared by celebrated chefs including Rolando Anoceto, Daniel Diaz, Emerson Frisbie, Jacob Hammell, Marco Lombardini, Jorge Lopez, Jose Nieto, Sam Norwood, Daniel Sayed, Chris Spitz and Laura Todd.
Dinner hosts were Matthew Ailey and Gregory Zaffiro, Brenda Callaway, Vicky and Mitch Evans, Betsy Fry and Franklyn DeMarco, Ross Meltzer, Thomas C. Quick, Marsha Serlin and Jerry Sloan, Moore and Tatooles, Meredith Townsend and William Blind, and honorary chairs Jim and Gaye Engel, who were hosting for the fourth consecutive year.
"When we started hosting dinners for the Ultimate Dinner Party to benefit Children's Home Society, we didn't really know what to expect," Gaye Engel said. "We have come to realize it's not just about the exceptional food, wine and ambiance. We've learned over the past several years that by hosting these dinners we are building a bond with our community."
Jim Engle added: "We have met so many incredibly kind and generous donors, plus the wonderful representatives of CHS, who are so generous with time, talent and heart. Not to mention the generous, selfless work of the extraordinary chefs who cook with heart to benefit this worthy cause. Working together with a common goal to improve the lives of children such as those who benefit from the support of CHS has been one of the most rewarding endeavors for us.”
The event was once again a sellout.
Proceeds assist the Children's Home Society in its mission to empower children and families to reach their full potential through early childhood services, child welfare, Community Partnership Schools, mental health services, mentoring, outreach and job training, and adoption services.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Children’s Home Society hosts 30th Anniversary Ultimate Dinner Party
