JF&CS Tasting a Sweet Success
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JF&CS Tasting a Sweet Success

Approximately 700 “foodies” gathered at The Stave Room for the fundraiser to support JF&CS’ Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe May 15, 2024, 10:09 am Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

  • (From left) David Poline, Elana Satisky, Sara Kogon, Viki Freeman, Amy Fingerhut, Mark Brown, Louise Samsky, Gary Simon, Kyle Simon, Michelle Simon, Dayna Royal, Samantha Paulen, Jonathan Halitsky, Michelle Sims, Vanessa Frank, Beth Friedman, Tracey Grant // All Photos by Steven R Dewberry, SRD Photography
    (From left) David Poline, Elana Satisky, Sara Kogon, Viki Freeman, Amy Fingerhut, Mark Brown, Louise Samsky, Gary Simon, Kyle Simon, Michelle Simon, Dayna Royal, Samantha Paulen, Jonathan Halitsky, Michelle Sims, Vanessa Frank, Beth Friedman, Tracey Grant // All Photos by Steven R Dewberry, SRD Photography
  • Artwork from The Artist Collective featured in the silent auction
    Artwork from The Artist Collective featured in the silent auction
  • Several of the chefs from featured restaurants
    Several of the chefs from featured restaurants
  • Inaugural Champion of Inclusion Larry Smith, with Jewish Family & Career Services CEO Terri Bonoff // Photo by Steven R Dewberry, SRD Photography
    Inaugural Champion of Inclusion Larry Smith, with Jewish Family & Career Services CEO Terri Bonoff // Photo by Steven R Dewberry, SRD Photography
  • The Tasting Experience Choir performed a medley of songs during The Tasting Experience.
    The Tasting Experience Choir performed a medley of songs during The Tasting Experience.
  • The Tasting Experience benefit on May 2 raised more than $400,000.
    The Tasting Experience benefit on May 2 raised more than $400,000.
  • Erin and Moshe Liss, who recently purchased Added Touch Caterers, served a curry buffet.
    Erin and Moshe Liss, who recently purchased Added Touch Caterers, served a curry buffet.
  • Zest Catering offered a burrata bar with toppings.
    Zest Catering offered a burrata bar with toppings.
  • Rina’s Tal Baum (left) served a flavorful humus
    Rina’s Tal Baum (left) served a flavorful humus

Seven hundred philanthropic and hungry patrons gathered in the spacious and tastefully decorated Stave Room on Armour Ottley Drive on May 2 for Jewish Family & Career Services’ annual Tasting fundraiser.

The event previously benefited only the Zimmerman Horowitz Independent Living Homes. However, this year, the re-imagined Tasting Experience also supported JF&CS’ IndependenceWorks Day Program and the Supported Employment Program. All told, the event raised more than $400,000 to support these programs.

(From left) David Poline, Elana Satisky, Sara Kogon, Viki Freeman, Amy Fingerhut, Mark Brown, Louise Samsky, Gary Simon, Kyle Simon, Michelle Simon, Dayna Royal, Samantha Paulen, Jonathan Halitsky, Michelle Sims, Vanessa Frank, Beth Friedman, Tracey Grant // All Photos by Steven R Dewberry, SRD Photography

According to Terri Bonoff, CEO of JF&CS, “The Tasting Experience event belongs to the community. I hear Tasting stories from wonderful friends in the community that go back 20 years. It builds on the legacy of supporters deeply committed to ensuring the quality-of-life experience for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is a celebration of friendship, generosity, love, and inclusion. This year, the lay leadership — chaired by Michelle Simon and Louise Samsky — stood on the shoulders of all that had previously been created and celebrated in years gone by … of course, last year honoring the legacy and memory of Jerry Horowitz made this year even more important.”

Artwork from The Artist Collective featured in the silent auction

Navigating the food and beverage vendor stations was amazingly simple with very little line waiting. The beverage setups were set in a rectangle in the center of the room while the food vendors lined the perimeter. Restaurant managers and caterers were gracious and chattily welcomed guests while explaining their concepts.

One local favorite, Tal Baum, “manned” the first table brimming with yummy humus served at her Rina concept, which recently expanded to Alpharetta in addition to the Old Fourth Ward location. Another humus was served by Zakia chef Ian Winslade, who stated that his secret was using SOOM tahini, lemon, and garlic, after a quick spin in the food processor.

Fifth Group’s VP of Operations and in this case, South City Kitchen, was headed by Stuart Fierman, who said, “This event is close to my heart as I grew up close to the Horowitz family. I actually shared a moment with Jerry Horowitz some 20 years ago about how we could really get big ‘lift’ for this event since I was already in the restaurant biz.”

Several of the chefs from featured restaurants

A colorful new concept this year was Zest Catering’s Build Your Own Burrata Bar with toppings: tomatoes in vodka sauce, peach and jalapeño marmalade, chimichurri, fresh basil, sun dried tomatoes along with crunchy bread. Zest’s owners are Dana and Hannah Harris.

Inaugural Champion of Inclusion Larry Smith, with Jewish Family & Career Services CEO Terri Bonoff // Photo by Steven R Dewberry, SRD Photography

Another favorite vendor was C&S Seafood and their tuna tartar atop avocado. Fellow vendor, Les Retter, of High Roller Sushi, said, “We have supported this meaningful cause for many years. It’s a wonderful organization. I’m happy to contribute, and people really love our sushi.”

Retter sells sushi to schools, weddings, caterers, movie wrap parties, and mitzvahs. Among the first to volunteer for the Jewish community is David Abes, DASH Hospitality, who was on hand with Cyndi Sterne, operations specialist, serving Message in a Bottle’s cubed grouper ceviche in shot glasses.

Husband-and-wife team, Erin and Moshe Liss, who recently purchased Added Touch Catering from Sandra and Clive Bank, served a buffet of curried vegetables and rice. Erin stated, “Things are going well, and the transition is seamless.” After 15 years of working at The Added Touch and A Kosher Touch, the Liss’s were handpicked by Sandra and Clive to take over as the “next generation.”

The Tasting Experience Choir performed a medley of songs during The Tasting Experience.

Amanda La Kier, JF&CS chief philanthropy and marketing officer, while chatting with host chair Elana Satisky, said that the highlight of the 2024 Tasting was when several of the members of Tasting Experience Choir, which is comprised primarily of adults with learning and developmental disabilities, performed inspirational tunes, including: “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and more.

The community most definitely felt the love at this year’s Tasting and have not stopped believing!

Participating Vendors:

Added Touch Catering
Brewable
Chef Steve Creations
C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar
EB Catering
High Roller Sushi
La Grotta
Marietta Diner
Message in a Bottle
Mission + Market
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Nowak’s
Rina
South City Kitchen
The Sprinklenista
Sugar Shane’s
Vino Venue
Whiskey Bird
The Woodall
Zakia
Zest Catering

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