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Celebrity Chef Cooks Up Successful Plant City Fundraiser

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2009

PLANT CITY - The United Food Bank is still tallying up the figures, but it appears a fundraiser featuring celebrity chef Jon Ashton brought in at least $40,000.

The venue, the Trinkle center on Hillsborough Community College's Plant City campus, was packed Saturday as Ashton entertained with wit and a cooking demonstration. Ashton, a frequent guest on NBC's "Today" show, also helped auction sports memorabilia.

"Jon was incredible," said Kelleigh Klein, the food bank's executive director, who plans to make the fundraiser an annual event.

Tickets were $75, and thousands of dollars more were brought in by silent and live auctions. Klein said she thinks the event will at least meet the $40,000 goal she set.

The auction included a spontaneous offering in which Ashton offered to return to Plant City to cook a dinner for 12. Charleene Closshey of Plant City submitted the winning $4,000 bid.

As the evening began, Ashton, with a thick English accent, deadpanned, "As you can tell I'm not from Alabama." He proceeded to crack one-liners as he cooked a chicken dish.

The night included a video of a mother of triplets who had been helped by the food bank and an appearance by Kayli Bassinger, a 13-year-old Turkey Creek Middle School student who on her own raised $1,700 for the charity.

The emcee was Tampa Tribune food writer Jeff Houck.

The fundraiser, along with on-going donations and volunteer labor, help the food bank at 712 E. Alsobrook St., Suite 9, keep up with rising demand. More people are seeking the food bank's help amid the economic downturn, Klein said.

"Without events like this, we wouldn't be able to provide for the needs for our community," she said.

To help the food bank, call (813) 764-0625.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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