Driven to Dine - limo is the way to go

A hearty round of applause to the genius who came up with the newest fund-raising fun-making fete – “Driven to Dine”.

Its raving success inspired Florida Heart Research Institute senior VP Development Sallie Byrd to reserve April 26, 2008 for next year’s Signature Event. Everyone is still talking about it. “South Beach Diet” celebrity Dr. Arthur Agatson was guest of honor, introduced by the effervescent Dorothy St. Jean, an inimical emcee. Dr. Richard Elias, Chairman of the Board of Trustees greeted avid supporters who had been greeted by waiters with flutes of champagne and passed hors d’oeuvres while listening to a string duet playing on the patio. Champagne and the full bar was courtesy of Pernod Ricard, USA. Auction items donated by such as Diane von Furstenberg. Tiffany’s and Romero Britto lured lucky signers and perfume in goody bags was proffered by Bernard Klepach.
Sotheby’s lent an Indian Creek mansion for the cocktail party where 150 guests mingled until the bell tingled. Time for one guest from each party of 10 to pick a number. A sealed envelope identifying the “surprise” restaurant destination was given to each of the limo drivers. Five couples piled into each assigned limo not knowing if the chef at Casa Casuarina or Ortanique or Norman’s (among others) awaited their arrival.
Kudos to the super chefs. Their hearts were in the right place.

Ghislain Gouraige of UBS, Chef
Wolfgang Birk of Casa Casuarina,
Marjorie Gouraige

Bobby Castellano, Brenda Nestor Castellano

Dr. Richard Elias, Chef Giancarla Bodini
of Escopazzo, Sue Elias

Watch for the rest of the photos.........................