W  The tradition continues as The American Lung Association of Florida announces that its annual fundraiser, “The Food Wine and Art Experience,” will take place on October 2, 2008 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Lake Worth
Cultural Plaza, in downtown Lake Worth.

“This celebrates the 12th anniversary of the Food Wine and Art Experience, which has grown in popularity over the years - thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers and the wonderfully diverse range of food, art and entertainment which trademark the event,” said Carol Ruggeri, executive director of the American Lung Association of Florida’s Southeast Area office. “We are delighted to partner with Tom Ramiccio and the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce to showcase the delicious variety our community has to offer.”

The American Lung Association promises an evening of sensory delights – delectable wines, mouth-watering samplings of food from select area restaurants, artists offering their original works for sale during the event, and live music and entertainment.  The Lake Worth Cultural Plaza, located in the heart of beautiful downtown Lake Worth at Lake Avenue and “M” Street, will be transformed into an outdoor oasis complete with great food tastings from a selection of Palm Beach County’s most sought after restaurants and caterers, sumptuous wines provided by event wine sponsor WineStyles, vodka provided by Ketel One Vodka, and toe-tapping music for those inspired to dance. Greg Rice of Hulett Environmental Services will be the Grand Wine Meister for the event.

Restaurants to date include Ambrosia, Bizaare Ave Café, Blue Kabana Café and Grill, Blue Martini, Brewzzi’s, Brogues on the Avenue, Café Chardonnay, Caffé Luna Rosa, Callaro's Prime Steak and Seafood, City Oyster, Crème de la Crème, Couco Pazzo, Dada, EuciVani's Gourmet Sauces, Field of Greens, Forté diAsprinio, GOL! A Taste of Brazil, Havana Hideout, Havana Restaurant, John Bull English Pub, John G’s, Joven Italiano Restaurant, Kilwin’s Chocolates, Lake Worth Rum Shack, Legal Seafood, Max’s Grille, MoQuila Restaurant & Tequila Bar, Paella Grill, Prime 707 Steakhouse & Bar, Rotelli Pizza & Pasta, Saito’s Japanese Steakhouse, South Shores Tavern & Patio Bar, Snappers Seafood & Pasta, The Cottage, Truluck’s, Whole Foods Market and Wild Orchids Café & Catering. In addition to WineStyles presentation of its fine wines, the organization anticipates that more than 40 restaurants and catering firms will have a presence at the event. The Experience hosts a keen competition among food presenters for Best Taste (dessert, appetizer, entrée), Best Presentation, and Best of Experience awards. Celebrity judges are Chef Stephen Asprinio, Chef Frank Eucalitto, and Chef Chris Paul.

Committee Chairs Tammy Clarke (Cass, Levy & Leone) and John Majer (RSM McGladrey) are directing a dedicated volunteer committee and thank each committee member for pulling together this crowd-pleasing event. Members are Elizabeth Arevalo, Kelly Fason, Keith Girten, Robert Gottlieb, Sharon Greene, Leigh Keaton, Tanya Meade, Brianne Molyneux, Tom Ramiccio, Heri Santiago, Eric Severson, Dina St. Andrew, and Chet Tart. American Lung Association of Florida is privileged to announce its Honorary Chairs for the Experience:  Ric & Dorothy Bradshaw, Dr. Jonathan & Debra Gavras, Dr. Joseph & Shannon Giaimo, and Tenchy Salas of Portada Magazine.

The organization is grateful for the support of, and proud to announce its Food Wine and Art Experience sponsors: AT&T The Real Yellow Pages, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Business and Professional Women/Lake Worth, Finaven USA, Ketel One Vodka, Kool 105.5, Palm Beach Post, Portada Magazine, Regency Party Rentals and Productions, Rendina Family Foundation, RSM McGladrey, Seaview 960AM, Show-off Graphics, SouthFloridaDines.com, Louise and Michael Stein, Vitamin Water, Linda and Skip Waldman, Washington Mutual Bank and WineStyles.

Tickets for The Experience are $50, making this a true community-friendly event, and may now be purchased online at www.foodwineandartexperience.com or by calling 561-659-7644. They will also be for sale after September 1st at the American Lung Association office at 2701 North Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach, the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce at 501 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth, Washington Mutual Bank at 200 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth and all South Florida Winestyles locations. Sponsorships are available and offered at a number of contribution levels for those wishing to showcase their business or enterprise at this event with an projected attendance of 650.