EDUCAAR TT ION
Evening With the Chefs
The Ryan Wells Foundation, which raises funds to provide scholarships for culinary students and aids local culinary
programs in high schools, held its annual fundraiser at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater Beach. This is a
culinary arts dream come true for students who aspire to become chefs, as Ryan did before he lost his life. Students
passed hors d’oeuvres they had created and some even interacted with the chefs from top area restaurants which
included Mystic Fish, Guppy’s, Cafe Ponte, Parkshore Grill, Island Way Grill and William Dean Chocolates, who prepared
and served gourmet tastings. The evening also featured silent and live auctions, the presentation of student scholarships and
a tribute to the late Chef Tom Pritchard, who was the executive chef of the Baystar Restaurant Group. 9
Chef Doug Bebell of Mystic Fish and his brother,
Chef Scott Bebell of Guppy’s, each provided
a dinner for eight at their restaurants for the
128 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
| MAY/JUNE 2016
live auction.
Brian and Karen Aungst, who personally
helped make the benefit a success,
represented one of its major sponsors,
Bright House Networks Business Solutions.
Ashley Giasone, the Foundation’s executive director,
and her parents, Mike and Carrie Wells, keep
her brother/their son Ryan’s ambition alive
by helping aspiring chefs.
Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos and
his wife Carolyn were among the many
community concerned individuals who
appreciate the work that is being done
by the Wells Family for education.
Restauranteur Dan Shovelin and his fiancée
Nancy McKibbon were happy to support this
event that does so much for the culinary students
through scholarships and other assistance.
Chef Richard Castillo and Chef Christopher
Ponte of Cafe Ponte served Malasadas with a
Port Glaze at this culinary event.
Photography by Gram and Noraa