T

he Law Office of J.J. Talbott presented their annual Men Who Cook 
competition on April 7, at Sanders Beach Community Center, which 
benefited Pace Center for Girls. Men Who Cook is Pace’s signature tasting 
event and chef competition featuring local men, community leaders, 

businessmen and great guys who want to give back to the community. This event 
showcases the talents of over 40 amateur chefs who prepare and serve everything 
from appetizers to desserts at their tasting stations. An estimated 300 guests were in 
attendance. Each category was awarded a winning chef, and the overall “Top Chef” was 
chosen from these, as well as a “People’s Choice Award.” The cook-off was judged by 
professional female chefs. This event also featured live music, silent and live auctions, as 
well as a martini and wine wall pull. 

For the past five years, Men Who Cook has become the leading fundraiser that supports 

the operational costs of Pace Center for Girls Escambia – Santa Rosa. Sponsorships, 
ticket sales and auctions all help Pace provide girls and young women an opportunity                
for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. Pace is 
recognized as among the most effective models for keeping teenage girls out of the 
juvenile justice system.

photos & story by

Kristina Wright

   VIP Pensacola at Sanders Beach Community Center

32     |    VIPPensacola.com

Mark & Madrina Ciano

Denise Ables & Doug Alley 

Alyssa Venn, Jennifer Jackson-Keating & Ann Neal

Tonya Zimmern & Greg Davis

Jennifer Passeretti & Angela D’ Alessandro

Cristina Williams & Karen Fleming

Robert & Amy Bender 

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5/30/19   6:42 AM