What does America’s favorite pasta dish and Give Kids The World (GKTW), one of Central Florida’s greatest children’s charities, have in common? They are both going to be part of the inaugural O-Town MacDown Presented by SeaWorld at the Orange County Convention Center on Saturday, August 23 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.!
Do you love mac-n-cheese? Does your mac-n-cheese have a secret ingredient that sets it above the rest? Join GKTW for O-Town MacDown and enjoy an unbe-CHEESE-able afternoon of fun and food the whole family will enjoy! Gather the family and come stuff your face with mac-and-cheese and help determine the Mac-and-Cheese Kings and Queens of Central Florida, all to benefit kids with life-threatening illnesses.
Of course, whether you are a professional chef, a restaurant chef or a home cook with the tastiest mac-and-cheese in your neighborhood, you are invited to show off your best cheesy concoction and see if you can earn bragging rights as well as cash and great prizes! PLUS, the first 40 competitors to sign up by July 1 will be entered to win a pair of AAdvantage Airmile Certificates from American Airlines!
The winners of the professional and restaurant competitions at O-Town MacDown will have the opportunity to face off on stage in front of their colleagues at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show, to be held two weeks later in Orlando, Florida. Both winners will compete at the Show’s Food Trends Experience Culinary Demonstration Theater for the title of Best Mac ‘n Cheese in Orange County. They also will be featured on the Show’s website leading up to the event and promoted heavily at the show.
The unique and family-fun O-Town MacDown will include cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, a performance by Tony Brent from the Outta Control Dinner Show, appearances by the SeaWorld “Groove Chefs” and unlimited mac-n-cheese. Kids can have a blast in the Kid’s Zone including bounce houses, face painting and macaroni arts and crafts.
Tickets are going fast, get yours online now at $10 for adults and $5 for children (tickets higher at the door). It’s going to be a GOUDA time, so don’t miss it! Visit www.OTownMacDown.org for tickets and registration information.
Earlier this year IKEA announced the return of its annual ‘Soft Toys for Education’ campaign, which will run from November 10, 2013 to January 4, 2014. During this period, the IKEA Foundation will donate one euro (approximately $1.34)* to UNICEF and Save the Children to give children in developing countries access to a quality education. Launched in 2003, the campaign has impacted 10 million children in 46 countries and donations have totalled $74 million for 90 projects.
Since 2003, the ‘Soft Toys for Education’ Program has Impacted Ten Million Children and Raised $74 Million!
The donations from the IKEA Soft Toys for Education Campaign will help train teachers in child-friendly teaching methods, improve child protection systems, supply educational materials like pencils, books, bags, rebuild schools and provide better water and toilet facilities; and increase school attendance rates. More than 10 million children will be educated in eliminating discrimination and stigma.
Education is the most powerful and effective way to help children escape poverty. The change it can bring to a young life is immense. Education has a direct impact on well-being, from better health to increased opportunities. It gives children knowledge, skills and confidence they need to shape a better future for themselves. When a child begins and stays in school, he or she not only changes the course of their own life, but that of future generations. And that’s when small changes pave the way for bigger ones.
Inspiration to read opens the door to education, which is why, every year, IKEA creates a children’s book based on IKEA soft toy characters as part of the annual Soft Toys for Education Campaign. In this year’s book, “The Princess and the Happiness,” young readers visit the fairy-tale forest and learn that happiness can be just around the corner.
Supporting Education—Together
This year’s newcomers to the soft toys family are fairy tale heroes:
LUFSIG, the soft toy wolf
NOJSIG and GULLGOSSE, a princess and a king
KRULLIG, an elf
SÅNGTRAST, a fairy with a magic spell
“Thanks to the unwavering commitment shown by IKEA co-workers and customers, the IKEA Foundation has donated more than $51 million to UNICEF’s education programs for children in Africa and Asia,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “IKEA’s support has enabled UNICEF to get millions of children into the classroom, provide teacher training to improve the quality of education, and help ensure children complete school.”
“We are looking forward to our continued holiday tradition of teaming with IKEA Soft Toys for Education. The enthusiasm of IKEA staff and customers brings desperately needed education and teacher training to children in underserved parts of the world and will impact future generations,” said Carolyn Miles, President and CEO of Save the Children. “We are honored to be part of this partnership along with UNICEF, and look forward to creating lasting change for children.”
“We are incredibly proud to be part of the IKEA Soft Toy for Education campaign. The funding means we can continue our work on changing the lives of children with disabilities and children of minority groups, the most marginalized children, in Eastern Europe and South East Asia. We’re providing access to quality education for millions of children, impacting on generations to come.” Elisabeth Dahlin, Secretary General Save the Children Sweden and Chairperson Global Lead Agency for the IKEA Foundation Collaboration.
“IKEA’s soft toys bring smiles to the faces of thousands of children. But many children across the globe have few reasons to smile. They don’t have access to basic things most of us take for granted – like clean water, food or education. IKEA’s annual Soft Toys for Education campaign makes a real difference – helping thousands of new children every year get an opportunity to receive a quality education.” Per Heggenes, CEO IKEA Foundation.
Good things are Happening All Over. A small contribution can make a big difference. Here are some examples of how the IKEA Foundation donations have impacted children’s lives.Ethiopia: Education is a primary driver for Ethiopia’s development. In 2012, UNICEF’s Schools for Africa initiative helped 238,000 children – including 25,000 refugees — stay in school despite living in challenging conditions.
For an extra fun touch on your next visit to IKEA Orlando, you can play the #FindKingIKEA at @IKEAOrlando for a chance to win a $25 IKEA Gift Card!
We always make sure to buy a few of these Soft Toys during the Campaign, and watch out for a huge Holiday Giveaway where you can win some of your own!
Disclaimer:I bought these toys with my own money, because I wanted to make sure that I helped support a wonderful cause while spreading some Holiday Cheer!!!
Benefitting the Kid’s Café program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Starring Walt Disney World® Resort Chefs
4-7 p.m. Sunday, October 27
Long & Scott Farms • Zellwood, Florida
FEATURING
Victoria & Albert’s
Chef Scott Hunnel
Sommelier Rebecca Lewis
Lake Meadow Chicken Sausage with Zellwood Corn Succotash
California Grill
Chef Brian Piasecki
Sommelier Michael Scheifler
Spice-crusted Local Calico Scallops with Zellwood Pumpkin Ravioli, Toasted Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette, Baby Sage, Buttered Brussel Sprouts, and Pumpkin Dust Brittle
Flying Fish Cafe
Chef Tim Keating
Sommelier Stig Jacobsen
Asian-inspired Uncle Matt’s Citrus-marinated Rock Shrimp and Local Calico Bay Scallop “Cocktail” with Salad of MacGregor Farms Greens, Herbs, Epcot Cucumber, and
Bhut Jolokia-Kaffir Lime Vinaigrette
The Wave . . . of American Flavors
Chef Frank Brough
Sommelier Damaris Jimenez
Locally-sourced Sweet Potato Agnolotti with Bourbon-Maple Pork Belly, Liquid Caramel Corn, and Vanilla Powder
Epcot® Events
Chef Leonard Thomson
Sommelier Olaronké Olatunji
Suwannee Farms Florida Fresh Cab Beef Tenderloin over Balsamic Charred Onion Bread Pudding topped with Wine Reduction and served with Duck Fat Fries and Zellwood Sweet Corn Gelato
Florida Local at Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival
Chef Jens Dahlmann
Sommelier Tom Kovacs
Pasture Prime Mangalitsa Pork Arepa with Long & Scott Corn Esquites and Cahaba Farms Micro Cilantro
Cítricos
Chef Phil Ponticelli
Sommelier Keith Gimbel
Florida Pink Shrimp with Sunny Meadow Farms Egg Pasta with Sarasota Black Sturgeon Caviar
Disney Desserts
Pastry Chef Stefan Riemer
Sommelier Vicky Thompson
Squash Beignets served with Habañero-Corn Ice Cream with Madeira Glaze and Cocoa Dust
Chocolate Pot de Crème with Bosc Pears, and Rye Bread Tuile
TICKETS
$175 each / $325 per couple
Tickets available via EdibleOrlando.com
Heather Thomson, THE REAL HOUSEWIFE: MAKING A SEASON OF THE SHOW AND A BUSINESS SUCCESSFUL
Heather Thomson, a fashion designer, celebrity stylist, philanthropist and newest cast member of the successful Real Housewives of New York franchise, is the woman behind the successful Yummie by Heather Thomson brand.
Heather will be speaking at the Hilton Orlando on October 21, 2012, at the Women for Israel Breakfast to benefit the Jewish National Fund
ZUQIM: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND A VISION FOR TOMORROW
NOA ZER heads Resource Development for the Central Arava Regional Council. She is married to a second generation farmer from Paran and both of them are starting their second agricultural season as pepper growers on Moshav Paran in the Central Arava.
WOMEN FOR ISRAEL BREAKFAST – Jewish National Fund
Sunday, October 21, 2012 • 8:00-9:15 am
Hilton Orlando
6001 Destination Parkway Orlando, FL 32819
This event is in conjunction with JNF’s National Conference. You are invited to stay for the Opening Plenary at 9:30 am. For more information about the conference, visit jnf.org/nc.
Dietary laws observed • Please RSVP by October 5, 2012 to Rosalie Brinbaum at rsvpfl@jnf.org or 561.447.9733