Triangle Family Services Hosts 14th Annual Gingerbread Benefit

Raleigh, NC, November 01, 2016 --(PR.com)-- Triangle Family Services, a Triangle community organization providing effective and innovative services to empower families physically, mentally and financially, will host its 14th annual Gingerbread Benefit on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 at The Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center, Durham’s premier conference hotel located near Research Triangle Park. The Gingerbread Benefit upholds and celebrates the culinary masters in our community, while raising funds to benefit the successful programs at Triangle Family Services.

This daylong fundraising benefit, running from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., features the Triangle’s best chefs and bakers creating gingerbread masterpieces in lieu of the upcoming holidays.

Participating chefs include:

· Amber Atkins of Second Empire and Tavern;
· Sherry Stolfo of The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College;
· Taion McElveen of Bare Bones;
· Billy Apperson of 18 Seaboard;
· Lily Lanehart and Anna Lamm of Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Café;
· Ann Beal of City Barbeque;
· Liz Williams of Gigi’s Cupcakes;
· Scott Phillips of More. Kitchen & Bar;
· Regan and Dawn Stachler of Little Hen;
· Tanya Andrews and the pastry team of Yellow Dog Bread Company;
· Alana Broyde of Sitti;
· Robin Bilodeau of SearStone Retirement Community;
· Rosa Elena Lovo of Prestonwood Country Club;
· Maryanne Harris of Stick Boy Bread Co.;
· Carrie Nutt of Raleigh Cake Pops;
· Rob Crawford of Sullivan’s Steakhouse,
· Liz Reedy of Caroll’s Kitchen;
· Monica Vaughn of CORE Catering, Inc. at Divinity Cafe; and
· Celebrity chef Barbara Gibbs of ABC11 Eyewitness News.
· Additional chefs from Justice Baking Company, Sugar Buzz Bakery & Café, Capital Grille and the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle will participate.

Three special events will take place throughout the Gingerbread Benefit:

Gingerbread House Sneak Preview
The “Sneak Preview” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Attendees will be the first to see the 14th anniversary gingerbread houses, designed by the Triangle’s finest chefs and bakers, enjoy festive holiday music and vote for their favorite and most creative gingerbread house. There will also be a variety of festive yummy treats provided. Tickets are $25 per guest and group rates are available if requested.

Children’s Tea with Santa
The Children’s Tea with Santa will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fairy tale princesses and Santa’s helpers will greet children as Santa takes an individual picture with each child. Children will be able to decorate and take home their own gingerbread houses as they listen to Santa share traditional holiday stories. This event also features a special visit from the Carolina RailHawks soccer team, and specialty drinks and treats for children and adults. Tickets are $55 per guests or $195 for a family of four.

Evening Gingerbread Benefit
The evening Gingerbread Benefit, for adults only, will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the top gingerbread houses and treats, as well as bid on an extensive list of live and silent auction items while enjoying holiday music, beer and wine. Auction items include vacation homes, exquisite artwork, sports event tickets, and more from Triangle-area businesses. In addition, savory delicacies will be available at the event for all attendees to enjoy. Tickets cost $125 per guest.

Platinum sponsors for the event include Seby B. Jones Family Foundation, Southwest Airlines Co., and Bank of America Corp. Gold sponsors include Chris and Martha McCool, Citrix, and PNC Financial Services Group Inc. All proceeds from the evening will support the programs of Triangle Family Services. For more information about the benefit or to purchase tickets for any of the events, visit www.tfsnc.org.

Quotes:
“We’re excited to host the annual Gingerbread Benefit for its 14th year,” said Alice Lutz, CEO of Triangle Family Services. “We continue to be humbled by the support of the Triangle culinary community, residents and volunteers, and local businesses, as they help us build a stronger community and help disadvantaged families in the spirit of the holidays.”

New Media Content:
Triangle Family Services’ Twitter Page:
http://www.twitter.com/TFSNC

Triangle Family Services’ Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Triangle-Family-Services/212971207432

About Triangle Family Services:
Since 1973, Triangle Family Services has served as a safety net in the community for the most vulnerable families. Its mission, “Building a stronger community by strengthening the family,” is fulfilled by providing programs in three key areas: financial stability, family safety and mental health services. Last year alone, Triangle Family Services served more than 13,000 Triangle area residents, with 87 percent living below the poverty level.