Chef Michelle Bernstein -- Photo Credit Michael Pisarri. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL  – ARC Broward is pleased to announce that nationally renowned celebrity Chef Michelle Bernstein has been named Honorary Chair of "Delish 2013" presented by The Wasie Foundation and hosted by Premier Beverage. Delish is the non-profit organization's delectable annual fundraising event that celebrates the incredible success of the ARC Broward Culinary Institute.  As Honorary Chair, Bernstein will judge the culinary stations during the event, which showcase fabulous culinary delights created by competing teams of star chefs, students and graduates of the ARC Broward Culinary Institute.  "Delish 2013" will take place Friday, March 22, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. in the Panorama Ballroom at Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six (2301 Southeast 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale).  One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will support critically-needed services for children and adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.

"I can't think of a better way to help such an incredible cause and amazing movement. I love the idea of cooking with special needs children and adults because I believe that instant gratification is a gift that makes people feel so good about themselves," said Chef Bernstein.

The ARC Broward Culinary Institute uses food as a tool to transform lives and build stronger communities. The non-profit catering program creates outstanding culinary experiences in an ambiance of style and taste while providing real-world employment opportunities for the graduates of the Entry Level Culinary Arts Certificate Program.

Guests of "Delish 2013" presented by The Wasie Foundation and hosted by Premier Beverage will enjoy an evening of gourmet treats, delightfully refreshing cocktails, dancing, a silent auction, and much more.  Jen Klaassens, Vice President of Programs for The Wasie Foundation, and Gale Butler, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for AutoNation, two of South Florida's most dedicated women, are the event co-chairs.

In addition to judging the culinary stations during the evening and selecting an official winning team for the night,  Chef Bernstein will also present the ARC Broward Culinary Institute Student Chef of the Year Award to "Delish 2013" honoree, Arielle Weeks.  After being diagnosed with autism late in his developmental years, Arielle, with the help of a family friend and vocational rehabilitation, found the ARC Broward Culinary Institute. Arielle has excelled in the program and has quickly stepped up as a leader who takes initiative to complete each task.  He has also worked numerous events through ARC Broward's underground supper club, Traveling Plate. This experience afforded him an opportunity to put his newly learned skills to work. Along with developing his natural talent in the kitchen, Arielle has displayed tremendous personal growth. Upon graduation he intends to continue his culinary training with advanced degrees.

In addition to Arielle, "Delish 2013" will also honor community members who have supported ARC Broward and the ARC Broward Culinary Institute.  Honorees will include NBC6 Miami, which recognized and awarded ARC Broward with a grant for operating a "high-impact, progressive program" and the Founders of The Traveling Plate. The Traveling Plate honorees include Jennifer Saltz, Shareholder, Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A.; Kelly Alvarez, President, Strategic Philanthropy; Jon Swergold, Litigation Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, P.A.; Captain Rick Wierzbicki, Broward County Sheriff's Department; Pam Anselmo, Esq., Becker & Poliakoff. P.A.; David DeLeon, Executive Chef, Signature Grand; and Gina Reynen,Vice President, Creative Benefit Solutions, Inc.

Individual general admission tickets to attend "Delish 2013" are $125.00.   VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet with Chef Bernstein, are $175.00 per person. ARC Broward also invites local businesses and individuals to support "Delish 2013" through sponsorships, in-kind donations and program journal advertising.   Sponsorship opportunities start at $1000.  Proceeds from the event will benefit ARC Broward and ARC Broward Culinary Institute.  For more information on sponsorships and to purchase tickets, please email Jessica Kersey at jkersey@arcbroward.com, visit www.arcbroward.com, or call 954-746-9400.

Delish 2013 sponsors include The Wasie Foundation; Premier Beverage; AutoNation; Panache Style; Mario Careaga, Seitlin MMA; Broward Health; The Florida Panthers Foundation and City Furniture.

About Chef Michelle Bernstein
Since exploding onto the national spotlight in the mid 1990's, Chef Michelle Bernstein has remained one of the region's most well-respected and successful chefs/restaurateurs.  A Miami native of Jewish and Latin descent, this passionate master chef has dazzled diners and critics alike with her sublime cuisine and a personality as bright and vibrant as the Florida sun.  "My food isn't heavy handed or unnecessarily complicated," says Bernstein, a James Beard Award winner (Best Chef South 2008) and author of Cuisine a Latina (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2008).  "You don't need heavy handed technique and over the top presentations to make a dish work. It's about amazing ingredients, layered flavors and simplicity.  My style of cooking is inspired by my own food memories and it's the simple, soulful cooking that stays that I remember from my travels.  I cook the food I love and I think that love translates to the diners."  These days, Bernstein is busier than ever.  Beyond successful restaurants, Michy's and Crumb on Parchment, and her own family (she and husband/partner David Martinez recently became parents), Bernstein dedicates time to Common Threads an after-school program for underprivileged kids. She regularly appears on an array of national TV shows, from Top Chef to Good Morning America.  In addition, she is part of the Lexus Culinary Masters, a brand ambassador for Crisco, and is a member of the Macy's Culinary Council and the LEAN CUISINE® Culinary Roundtable.

About ARC Broward
Incorporated in 1956, ARC Broward is a nationally accredited, private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing services to children and adults with autism, Down Syndrome, and other intellectual disABILITIES, as well as those with various life challenges. ARC Broward operates three social enterprises including the ARC Broward Learning Institute, ARC Broward Culinary Institute and ARC Broward Electronics Recycling Services and provides services through 22 programs in 8 locations across Broward County. By working hand in hand with families, guardians, businesses, civic organizations, donors and funders, encouragement and opportunities that create life-changing outcomes are provided so that people with disABILITIES and other challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities. For more information and event updates, please visit www.arcbroward.com or www.facebook.com/ARCBroward.

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