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24th Annual Cuisine for Art
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24th Annual Cuisine for Art

May 20, 2022

Event Photos | Step and Repeat Photos | Blacktie Event Photos

The Art and Culture Center/Hollywood celebrated its 24th Annual Cuisine for Art fundraiser at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Friday, May 20, 2022 – three years after we last hosted this event in-person. The event surpassed budget projections and raised over $100,000 for the Center’s arts programs.



24th Annual Cuisine for Art Honorees
Dara and Jarett Levan

Dara and Jarett Levan live and breathe the arts here in Broward County!  They have supported and continue to support dozens and dozens of Broward County cultural arts organizations.  They serve as icons in this creative, innovative sector.

Event Committee

  • Susan Renneisen, Event Chair

  • Jules Meyer, Event Co-Chair

  • Anna Smith,
    Event and Auction Co-Chair

  • Tracy Lyons Cenami

  • Jeff Delmay

  • Randy Gilbert

  • Elena Hershey

  • Marty Jacobsen

  • Oscar Llorente

  • Vicki Lowe

  • Kara Lundgren

  • Barbara Marks

  • David Maurer

  • Chad Simon

About Dara

Dara is a writer, storyteller, and founder of “Every Soul Has a Story,” which includes her blog and podcast. “Every Soul Has a Story” is an inclusive, diverse podcast in which Dara interviews inspiring guests from around the globe. Her writing has been published in Zibby Owens’ “Moms Don’t Have Time to Write,” “Grown & Flown,” “Thrive Global,” “The Broad Life,” “Medium.”  Dara completed her first novel last year, and it will be published soon.

Dara, a Miami native, is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor’s in English. In addition, Dara earned her Master’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University.  She stopped practicing speech therapy to return to full-time writing, creating, and connecting.

Deeply involved in the community since she can remember, Dara presently serves on the Community Foundation of Broward’s Board of Trustees; a Board member of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Hospital Foundation; a member of the United Way of Broward County Tocqueville Society; the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Women’s National Book Association. She has also served as a past Board member of the Goodman Jewish Family Services (UFS) of Broward County; Junior Achievement of South Florida, Young At Art Children’s Museum, and | Care | Cure Childhood Cancer Foundation. In addition, Dara was a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library Research Information and Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University and a graduate of Leadership Broward.

Dara lives her life with passion and purpose. Her intention is to impact the world with integrity, love and meaning….one word at a time.


About Jarett

Jarett S. Levan is the President and Chief Executive Officer and serves on the Board of BBX Capital, Inc (OTCQX: BBXIA). Jarett also serves on the Board of Bluegreen Vacations Holding Corporation and Bluegreen Vacations Corporation. He is also CEO of BBX Sweet Holdings, which owns and operates Hoffman’s Chocolates, IT’SUGAR and Las Olas Confections and Snacks – all specialty chocolate and candy companies. He is on the Board of the BBX Capital Foundation, formerly the BankAtlantic Foundation, established in 1994 to support a wide array of activities in the arts, education, social welfare and community and economic development. Since its inception, they have awarded more than $20 million in contributions and in-kind services to charitable organizations throughout the state of Florida. 

 

Jarett is the founder and Chair Emeritus of Business for the Arts of Broward, a not-for-profit organization that educates the business community about the importance of Broward County’s art and cultural community, and engages them in building connections between cultural vitality, creative successes, and economic development. Jarett recognizes the importance of arts and culture in our community and has been a loyal ambassador and advocate for the Broward County cultural community. A recent study conducted by the Americans for the Arts calculated the economic impact of the non-profit arts and cultural industry in Broward at more than $400 million each year, supporting more than 11,000 jobs and generating more than $40 million in revenue for local and state government.

 

Jarett also serves on the Board of Broward Performing Arts Foundation, is a Board member of the Broward College Foundation, the Broward Workshop and Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Foundation. He is an Honorary Board member of the Art and Culture Center/Hollywood and a member of the NSU Ambassadors’ Board and Fellows Society, and a member of Young Presidents’ Organization. A member of the Florida Bar, Jarett graduated Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law and earned a Bachelor’s in Finance from Goizueta Business school of Emory University. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School President’s Program in Leadership.

Celebrity Waiters

 

Elected Government Officials with Jurisdiction over the City of Hollywood
  • Hon. Gary Farmer, Florida State Senator

  • Hon. Joe Geller, Florida State Representative

  • Hon. Marie Woodson, Florida State Representative 

  • Hon. Beam Furr, Broward County Commissioner

  • Hon. Josh Levy, City of Hollywood Mayor 

  • Hon. Kevin Biederman, Hollywood City Commissioner 

  • Hon. Adam Gruber, Hollywood City Commissioner 

  • Marty Kiar, Broward County Property Appraiser

 

Community Leaders
  • Anthony Billisi, Pastry Chef, Mimi's Ravioli

  • Jacey Birch, Local 10 Morning Anchor/Animal Advocate

  • Tim Curtin, Executive Director-Community Services, Memorial Healthcare System; BrowardEducation Committee Chair; Art and Culture Center Treasurer

  • Ed Hashek, President, Funding Arts Broward

  • John Mabry, Portfolio Director/Enterprise Development, AutoNation, Inc.; Immediate PastBoard Chair Art and Culture Center/Hollywood

  • Jules Meyer, Founder/President, PR Pageant Coaches; Past Board Chair and current LifetimeBoard member, American Cancer Society of Broward County

  • Melissa Milroy, Senior Marketing Director, The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale; Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Board Chair

  • Jeff Oliverio, Vice President and Financial Advisor for Truist Wealth;Hollywood LGBT Council Treasurer

  • Henny Shomar, Director, Tripp Scott; Broward Library Foundation Board member;Art and Culture Center Board member

  • Natacha Yacinthe, Seaport Executive Planning Manager at Port Everglades and President of the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Special Performance by Michael Dean as Cher

Michael Dean as Cher, an avid Cher fan and an in-demand entertainer, has established himself as a leading Cher impersonator. His love for Cher has allowed him to take center stage at leading charitable and corporate events, dinner shows, expos and pride parades. He has delighted audiences around the country with performances at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida; Lips Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta; W of Fort Lauderdale; the Wanderers Club in Palm Beach and more. Also, he enjoyed a two-year engagement alongside an impressive roster of leading celebrity impersonators at Oscar’s Cabaret in Palm Springs, California. Michael has had the pleasure of meeting Cher twice, but his first encounter was the most memorable, which landed him backstage of the American Music Awards during her first live performance of “Believe.” Needless to say, Michael Dean as Cher brings the magic of Cher to every stage show.

Concert Violinist STEVEN AVI

Steven Avi is a multi-talented young man, a performer with a lot of charism.  Avi has traveled many countries, loves to learn about people, cultures and history. He is an LA trained Actor, a concert Violinist, a hyper-Polyglot (someone that speaks many languages) and a College Student. (Last year for his bachelor's degree, active member of the National Honor Society at F.I.U.) Avi plays the violin since the age of 7, but he has another talent: Acting! Steven has a lot of experience in front and behind the cameras, has won Awards in England, Los Angeles and Florida. He has been in Web Series, TV pilots and TV Series, Feature films and Short films, infomercials, Commercials, Music Videos and Print Modeling. Many concerts with the violin as a soloist. Most recent performances at: The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, 211 Broward, Le Diner en blanc, Fashion, TV shows and more. Avi is fluent in 10 languages and sign Language as well (ASL).

Presenting Sponsor

Celebrity Gratuity
Challenge Sponsor



Champagne Sponsor


Bordeaux Sponsors



Burgundy Sponsors


Dr. Rick Bruns







David Maurer


Laurie Schecter


Rhone Sponsors



Susanne Hurowitz

Wilma Siegel, MD

Sandra Simon