70     |    VIPDestinMagazine.com

Chi Chi Miguel Fund Raiser 
Donates Over $93,000 to ECCAC

 Presented by the Emeril Lagasse 

Foundation, the 12th annual Chi Chi Miguel 
fund raiser took place this spring and raised 
$2 million for eight area charities. From the 
overall monies raised, the Emerald Coast 
Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) 
received a generous $93,973.94.

Founded in 2006 by co-chairs Valerie 

and Mike “Chi Chi Miguel” Thompson 
as a small backyard barbeque competition, 
the Throwdown Benefi t Auction & BBQ 
has since expanded to a three-day, star-
studded event and one of the most successful 
fundraisers along the Emerald Coast. 
ECCAC also directly benefi ted from the 10th 
annual Chi Chi Miguel Golf Tournament 
at Burnt Pines in Sandestin, and chaired by 
ECCAC supporters, Jim and Ann Barri.

ECCAC CEO Julie Hurst-Porterfi eld 

commented, “Over the years, both the 
Thompsons and their Chi Chi Miguel 
Throwdown have been an instrumental part 
of our success and ability to be able to serve 
the children. We are so appreciative of the Chi 
Chi supporters, too.”

With facilities in Niceville and the Pierce 

Family Children’s Advocacy Center in 
Defuniak Springs, ECCAC serves abused 
children and their families in a neutral 
environment. In the organizations’ 17-year 
history, more than 43,000 direct services 
have been provided in a child-friendly 
environment to over 12,000 children and their 
families. Services are provided at no cost by 
the nonprofi t organization.

For more information, visit www.eccac.org. 

Major sponsors Jim Pearce/Isagenix and Frank 

Flautt/Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa 

with Chi Chi Miguel founder, Mike Thompson, 

at the Chi Chi golf tournament. Proceeds from this 

event and the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown totaled 

over $93,000 to benefi t ECCAC.

Northwest Florida Ballet 
Announces the 2018-2019 Season 
with Four World-Class Productions 

 

 The Northwest Florida Ballet (NFB) 

announces programming for its forty-
ninth season productions at venues all 
along the Emerald Coast and the return of 
the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony 
Orchestra. The 2018-2019 season features 
four world-class productions at Grand 
Boulevard, the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 
Destin United Methodist Church and the 
Northwest Florida Ballet’s Downtown 
Studios.

NFB opens this spectacular season on Sat., 

Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. with A Midsummer 
Night’s Dream, a free outdoor performance. 
NFB returns to the Mattie Kelly Arts 
Center to present the thirty-ninth annual 
production of the classic holiday favorite, The 
Nutcracker. Performances will be held on 
November 16-18. As an additional holiday 
treat, NFB brings back Lightwire Theater for 
A Very Electric Christmas on December 21 - 
22. Lightwire Theater will thrill audiences of 
all ages with this magical and captivating tale 
of family, friendship and hope set to timeless 
holiday hits including Nat King Cole, Mariah 
Carey and Tchaikovsky. 

The season concludes with New Moves, 

performed on March 8-10. New Moves 
features the premiere of new and cutting 
edge works by guest choreographers as well 
as a mix of contemporary, neoclassical and 
classical pieces from the NFB repertoire.  

“We are excited to offer a variety of 

productions in venues across the Emerald 
Coast in this our forty-ninth anniversary 
season. We are happy to bring world class 
training and performances to our community 
as well as unsurpassed educational 
opportunities in arts education through our 
NFB Academie,” said NFB Artistic Director 
and CEO Todd Eric Allen.

Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen to 
Open In Destin Commons
 

 Paula Deen and 

Destin Commons 
have announced 
plans to open 
the family-style 
restaurant at Destin 
Commons in Destin. 
Paula Deen’s Family 
Kitchen is expected 
to open fi rst quarter 
2019 on South Street 
by Uncle Buck’s 
Fishbowl & Grill. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our 

shoppers to enjoy the warmth and hospitality 
created by Paula Deen while adding to the 
Destin Commons shopping experience,” said 
Heather Ruiz, the outdoor lifestyle center’s 
senior director of marketing and leasing. 
“Paula Deen’s team delivers quality food, 
service and ambience at a great value, and 
we’re excited to have them here, especially 
with occasional appearances by Paula Deen 
and their exhibition kitchen, a replica of 
Paula’s kitchen in her home.

“I’m so looking forward to teaming up with 

Destin Commons and Phoenix Hospitality 
& Entertainment to bring the newest Paula 
Deen’s Family Kitchen to my fans in the great 
state of Florida,” said Deen. “Together we 
will provide a truly memorable experience 
for folks who enjoy delicious Southern 
comfort food,  Southern hospitality and great 
entertainment”

“The 300-seat restaurant will be 

accompanied by a retail store featuring items 
hand-selected by Paula Deen to refl ect her 
gracious taste and Savannah’s rich cultural 
heritage.  Many of her favorite products can 
only be found in the retail store inside of Paula 
Deen’s Family Kitchen restaurants.

XX-XX Locale.indd   1

9/26/18   5:27 PM