First Foodies Unanimous cook-off

Confessions of a Foodie

First Foodies Unanimous Cook-Off Event

by Deane Newsome

Foodies Unanimous was involved in our first community event recently when we staged a “Meatloaf Throw-down, Show-down, Cook-off” at Fran & Tam’s Restaurant to determine who would have the best meatloaf — me or Chef Stephanie.

We promoted the cook off on Facebook and gave the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. We served 37 dinners and raised $125 for cancer research.

I humbly conceded that Chef Stephanie won, thus giving her the bragging rights– as she, as the host, knew her customers would like “spicy” meatloaf, where I, as the challenging food guru, went the safe route– and just made, juicy, moist and flavorful. All in all it was a fun day and all for a worthwhile charity.

Other adventures will follow now with the Foodies group getting involved in more public charity events.

The writer was offered a position as Publicity Committee Chair on the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life” of St. Augustine.

One of the responsibilities charged and taken was to refresh the Facebook group page presence, and to publish and promote all new projects and events. This has taken off very nicely and has already received a lot of super community support. We have taken the “bull by the horns” so to speak, and I am ready to serve in this new capacity. It will truly be a welcomed challenge to help to try to see cancer eradicated in our lifetimes.

The next event for the “Relay for Life” of St. Augustine will be a “Race For The Pies” campaign, that began November 2nd and will run through December 14th. The organization committee members and relay team captains and members will be offering $10 gift cards for pies from the local Village Inn to benefit the American Cancer Society.

For more information, please contact Suzanne at 904-307-6930 or email: relaysuzanne@gmail.com

In addition to the pie promotion, we will even tease that we have a pie eating contest in the works as well, so stay tuned for info on that!

The next event will be a Relay Team Party on November 11th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Royal St. Augustine Golf & Country Club.

This will be a party with organizational information on just how the Relay, that will be held on May 14, 2011 will work, how to organize teams, why we relay, how the points and award systems are designed, and lots of fun.

We continue to encourage you to get involved in the sharing of the joys of food, the pride of accomplishing your civic duty, and getting involved in our local community food events.

If you’re a member of Facebook, you can go to our link, join us and check out our page: http://tinyurl.com/http-foodiesu-com

Deane Newsome, President of Dean Productions, is a life-long resident of St. Augustine, Florida; a graduate of St. Augustine High School, proud father of 2 daughters aged 8 & 12, a former Public Relations Manager, Radio & Club Disc-Jockey, Steakhouse Restaurant Manager, and is currently a Social Media Manager, active blogger, and presenter/demonstrator of new foods and products for manufacturers through a major marketing company.

Newsome is also a proud Past President of the St. Augustine Jaycees organizing charitable community projects such as the St. Augustine Jaycees Charity Walk-A-Thon, Jaycees Haunted House, Jaycees Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and many more community activities including all offices of the St. Augustine Jaycees, and at the state level with the Florida Jaycees as District Director. Newsome has garnered many prestigious awards in his civic duties such as Jaycees Project of the Quarter, Project of the Year, and Jaycee of the Year.

Newsome’s private philosophy: “Service to humanity is the best work of life”, and is a self proclaimed “Food Guru” in St. Augustine. Newsome can be reached at jdnews01@yahoo.com

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News contributed photograph by Deane Newsome