Pictured: Creative meal preparation at 'Cooking for Wishes' interactive cooking luncheon.

Cooking for Wishes, Make-A-Wish Southern Florida’s showcase event in Sarasota, took place last Tuesday at Michael’s on East. At this interactive cooking luncheon, guests at tables of eight were able to prepare a one-of-a-kind four-course meal led by Chef Jamil Piñeda and Phil Mancini of Michael’s on East, and enjoy specially-selected wines, curated by co-proprietor, Michale Klauber.

More than 250 people attended the event that featured live and silent auctions, raffle prizes, and the touching story of a child whose life was changed forever by a wish to go to Hawaii with her family. More than $400,000 was raised, enough to grant 50 life-changing wishes for critically-ill children on the Suncoast.

"The wishes we grant aren’t just nice, they’re necessary," says Taylor Marini, Regional Director, Make-A-Wish®Southern Florida. "Research shows the anticipation of a wish and the memories made during them can have a positive and significant impact on the health and well-beingof the children, families, and extended networks we reach.”

Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has granted more than 13,000 life-changing wishes since 1983 for children who have critical illnesses. The Southern Florida chapter’s territory includes 22 counties/four regions: the Suncoast (Sarasota, Manatee and surrounding counties), Tampa Bay, southeast and southwest Florida. It also includes the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Pictured: Creative meal preparation at 'Cooking for Wishes' interactive cooking luncheon.

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