Art & Culture Center of Hollywood 17th Annual Cuisine for Art

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood raised more than $45,000 at its 17th Annual Cuisine for Art fund-raiser, which was held Thursday, May 29 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Nearly 300 people attended this event, which honored WLRN radio host Ed Bell for his contributions to the arts in South Florida. Attendees were served by 19 celebrity waiters that included government officials and community leaders. Cuisine for Art Event co-chairs were Jules Meyer, Susan Renneisen, and Anna Smith. Auction Chair was Tracy Lyons.

The party kicked off at 6 p.m. with wine, beer, and vodka cocktails. Following the cocktail hour was a sit-down dinner featuring petite filet mignon and roasted salmon; a recognition ceremony; a silent and live auction of one-of-a-kind items; a raffle for prizes; a celebrity waiter challenge; and entertainment by 13-year-old singing sensation Julia Dale – the Miami Heat’s “good luck charm” – and classically trained electric violinist Randi Fishenfeld.

Presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Champagne sponsors included The Related Group and Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc. Bordeaux sponsors were Florida Power & Light and the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. Burgundy sponsors included BankUnited; Becker & Poliakoff; Hazen and Sawyer; Hollywood Beach Golf Resort; Memorial Regional Hospital; NV5; and Thomas & LoCicero. “Celebrity Waiter” Challenge sponsors were The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Media sponsors were Blacktie-SouthFlorida.com and Eye on South Florida.

This year’s celebrity waiters were: City of Hollywood Vice Mayor Patricia Asseff; John Benz, senior vice president and chief strategic officer, Memorial Healthcare System; Hon. Kevin Biederman, City of Hollywood commissioner; Jacey Birch, WPLG Local 10 anchor and reporter; Hon. Richard Blattner, City of Hollywood commissioner; Hon. Peter Bober, mayor, City of Hollywood; Hon. Traci Callari, City of Hollywood commissioner; Hon. Joe Gibbons, Florida State Representative; Michael Goodman, president, Goodman Public Relations; Victor Green, promotions and marketing consultant, Wall2Wall Promotions/Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president; Hon. Sue Gunzburger, Broward County commissioner; Hon. Peter Hernandez, City of Hollywood commissioner; Hon. Shevrin “Shev” Jones, Florida State Representative; Alan Koslow, partner, Becker & Poliakoff; Kristi Krueger, WPLG Local 10 anchor and medical specialist; Armando Leighton, Jr., CEO, CRS Jet Spares; Mike Long, general manager, Crowne Plaza Hollywood Beach; Melissa Milroy, SCMD, senior marketing manager, The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale; and Hon. Linda Sherwood, City of Hollywood commissioner.

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood presents contemporary gallery exhibitions, live stage performances and high-quality education programs for adults and children. The Center fosters a creative environment where new and challenging work can flourish through programs that reflect the highest standards of artistry and diversity.

The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported in part by its members, admissions, private entities, the City of Hollywood, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and the Kresge Foundation. We welcome donations from all members of the community who wish to support our work.