We are honored to have been a beneficiary of the 13th Annual Chi Chi Miguel Weekend, which raised over $1 Million for eight Gulf Coast non-profit organizations! We want to give a huge thank you to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, who organized this fun filled weekend, and who has been a supporter of Food For Thought Outreach for so many years. 

During the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown Benefit Auction and BBQ, two of our students from the Emeril Lagasse Full Circle Kitchen, along with two students from Emeril's Culinary program at the Seaside School cooked and served their own culinary menu to attendees of the fundraiser.  It was great to see how these students are benefiting and learning from these culinary programs in our area, helped made possible by fundraisers like these.

Thank you again to all the winemakers, chefs, volunteers and sponsors that made this event possible; it truly was a fun day and an honor to be a part of!

We are very excited and proud for Food For Thought Outreach to be a beneficiary of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Chi Chi Miguel Weekend! This fun-filled event is just a few weeks away, occurring the weekend of April 4-6.  

The weekend will include the Wine Walk About, Wine and Dine, a Golf Tournament, a Sip-N-Shop Event, and the Throwdown Benefit Auction and BBQ. 

During the event, two students who participate in the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Full Circle kitchen will be teaming up two students from the Seaside School culinary program to make and serve food to event guests. This will be a great showcase of what students are learning in the Full Circle Kitchen!

We, feel very fortunate that Food For Thought is able to be a part of this benefit along side the many other non-profits. If you are interested in attending all or part of this weekend fundraising event, you can learn more information HERE and purchase tickets HERE.

This exclusive weekend-long fundraiser benefiting multiple charities, many local, including Food For Thought, still has tickets available to the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown on Saturday, April 1 at Churchill Oaks in Santa Rosa Beach.  Don't miss the "See and Be Seen" event with all the makings - over 20 vintners as a matter-of-fact - for an incredibly fun experience!!  You can purchase these tickets HERE.  For more information on the event, click the logo below.

Thank you Emeril Lagasse Foundation for all you do for Food For Thought and our community!!

Food For Thought was one of the local charities that befitted from the generosity of the 10th Annual ChiChi Miguel Throwdown. This spirited BBQ competition brings together world class vintners, chefs, and pit masters all to help raise money for Okaloosa and Walton County children's charities. 

This year, the event raised $700,000 over the course of the weekend. Food For Thought is honored to be a part of this dynamic event and is grateful for the continued generosity of the participants and the event organizers. 

Save the Date for the 11th Annual ChiChi Miguel Throw Down, June 17, 2017! 

The festivities on Saturday begin with "porktail hour" hosted by event founders and Co-Chairs Valerie & Mike "ChiChi" Thompson, followed by a spirited outdoor cooking competition among winemakers, BBQ enthusiasts and great chefs. The evening continues with a silent auction and concludes with a "kicked-up" live auction featuring one-of-a-kind private wine estate experiences, collectible wines, luxury travel expeditions, fine jewelry and custom artwork.

Throughout the evening, exclusive wines are poured by the winemakers for over 200 attendees.

The love of great wine and a passion for outdoor cooking, along with the commitment to improve the lives of youth from across the Gulf Coast are what bond this group together.

Click here to purchase your ticket