Under sparkling lights, in the iconic Pena Peck garden, guests enjoyed a five-course dinner prepared by celebrity Chef Tyrone Bennett, founder of We Feed St. Augustine and pastry Chef Jennifer Bivins Ronan. The menu celebrated locally sourced ingredients as a tribute to St. Augustine’s rich history. This event raised money for the Woman’s Exchange Scholarship Fund for St. Johns County women who are 30 and over returning to school. Menu items included Treasury Street Scallops, Fish Island Stuffed Shrimp, Monkfish Lincolnville and Dr. Peck’s Braised Quail and Governor Tonyn’s Fall Trifle.
The mission of The Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine is to help women enhance their economic stability, promote handcrafting and to preserve and show the historic Pena-Peck House. Jane Weizmann, President of the Exchange, noted that showcasing local culinary artists and raising funds for scholarships during this difficult time is important to our community. Students from Flagler College Culinary Arts program generously donated their time to serve the event and background music was performed by Ian Michael Kelly, an outstanding local guitarist.
Vice President, Becky Cole noted that “scholarships change lives” and thanked guests for their generosity. Since 2001, the Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine has donated over $150,000 to scholarships for women attending St. Johns River St. College. Since 1932, the members of the Woman’s Exchange of St. Augustine have maintained the Pena-Peck House and Museum.
On November 21, 2020, Chef Bennet and his partners at Epic Cure will be providing Thanksgiving meals for 1,000 local families. They are in special need of donations for turkeys. Please contact Chef Bennet at (386) 682-0245 or [email protected].
