T

he 5th annual Taste of the Race with Chef Emeril Lagasse took place on 
March 1, kicking off the Race Weekend in Seaside. All proceeds from the 
race and silent auction go to benefit the Seaside School programs. Seaside 
School Half Marathon & 5K, along with Profitt PR hosted this fabulous sold 

out event. It featured Emeril’s restaurants along with a few of Gulf Coast’s top chefs and 
restaurants, fine wine, spirits, and local brews from the Grayton Beer Company. Packing 
the tent from 7-9:00 PM, VIP guests were also welcome to enjoy interviews with the chefs 
before and all were invited to the first look at bids in the popular silent auction. Epic 
Photo Co. documented the fun with a photo booth, and Masterpiece Band from Atlanta 
performed, getting the crowd to sing and dance along. Chef Emeril Lagasse opened up 
the event with a few words about what the weekend will be able to provide for the schools 
for the upcoming year, and special thank-you’s including co-chairs Chef Jim Shirley and 
Chef Jim Richard. 

A beyond beautiful evening with appetizers, drinks, main course dishes and dessert; it 

was the perfect kick-off to the weekend that the community looks forward to every year. 

photos & story by

Shanna Magnuson

   VIP Destin at Seaside Lyceum 

with

Chef Emeril Lagass e

Taste

of the

Race

April 2019   |   83 

Lisa & James Foster

Frank Szymanski, Emeril Lagasse & E.J. Lagasse

Kelly Dean, Jenny Ethridge, Lauren Brooks, Becky Thompson & Michelle Shivers

Regina & Andrew Wheeler

Karen Holland & Carol Rauschkolb

Robin Crouch & Teresa Horton

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3/29/19   10:26 AM