4th Annual Tampa Bay Food Fight Fundraiser Goes Virtual For 2020

TAMPA BAY, FL — Things are a little different this year for the Tampa Bay Food Fight, an annual Metropolitan Ministries fundraiser, which will be held virtually this year in light of COVID-19.

The popular event will be held through a live stream on Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel from 7 to 8 p.m. Tampa Bay's top chefs will compete Iron Chef-style to help keep the lights on for the Culinary Arts Program which has helped so many escape poverty through job training and placement throughout the region.

“This year's goal is to raise enough money to fund 100 student scholarships—a total of $150,000," said Cliff Barsi, Metropolitan Ministries' vice president of food services and social enterprise. "Event proceeds ensure formerly homeless or at-risk culinary students have access to a network of resources, so when class is over, there's a new life and a new job, waiting.”

Two teams with chefs from Tampa and St. Petersburg will battle it out tag-team style in three areas showcasing creativity, presentation, and flavor and be judged by a local celebrity panel.

Metropolitan Ministries asks that people tune in to the livestream and consider helping out by registering and bidding in a live auction, purchasing raffle tickets, or making a direct donation to the cause. Registration for the auction is free and can be done in advance of the event. Participants who sign up for raffle tickets before Oct. 7 will receive 10 raffle tickets.

Team Tampa:

• Michael Buttacavoli - Cena (captain)
• Frank Anderson - Seminole Hard Rock
• Taro Larrea - Eddie V's Prime Seafood
• James Maita - Sacred Pepper
• Adam Polisei - Ocean Prime
• Jason Saldutti - Forbici

Team St. Petersburg:

• Jason Ruhe - Brick & Mortar (captain)
• Ted Dorsey - The Mill
• Tyson Grant - Parkshore Grill
• Ben Hooper - The Dewey
• Art Kucherenko - Sola Bistro & Wine Bar
• Colin Reinsmith - Sea Worthy Fish + Bar
• Rob Reinsmith - Wild Child

Celebrity Judges:

• Thaddeus Bullard, aka WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil
• Chad Johnson of Haven
• Angela and Andrew Duncan of Duncan Duo Real Estate
• Kim Miller-Boivin of Welbilt
• Helen Freund of the Tampa Bay Times

For more information visit Tampa Bay Food Fight online at tampabayfoodfight.org.

Carlos Hernandez is a food writer based in Tampa, Florida. Follow Carlos Hernandez on Twitter @CarlosEats or visit him at CarlosEats.com