Art in Bloom events, Great Chefs fundraiser, Junior Sungoddess news

If you have watched television's Iron Chef America, then you have some idea of the competition that took place between St. Petersburg floral designers Bryan Redman and Cassie Osterloth at the Museum of Fine Arts' "Flowers After Hours" party March 2. The preview of the museum's annual Art in Bloom festivities attracted more than 200 patrons who watched Osterloth "win by a petal," as one guest reported. Whitney Shouppe was the event chair.

Art in Bloom, presented by the Margaret Acheson Stuart Society, features floral arrangements that draw their guidance from works in the museum.

On March 4, artist Allison Massari, whose painting The Healer is in the museum's collection, returned to St. Petersburg for a discussion with floral designer Jeanne Houlton involving their creative influence, joining other participants during "Conversations With the Designers."

And internationally known designer Ian Prosser of Tampa was the star at "Beauty of Spring," the annual Art in Bloom luncheon held March 5 in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. Joann Barger and Elise Minkoff co-chaired the luncheon.

Signe Oberhofer led the Art in Bloom installation with assistance from Jan Stoffels and Sally Wheeler. Committee members included Linda Jantschek, Maggi McQueen, Gail Phares, Ann Vickstrom and Becky Wells.

2.25.12

Visitors to the Great Chefs of Tampa Bay fundraiser for Family Resources had a vast array of food and drink to savor, and the evening presented a feast for the eyes as well.

Held in the studio of glass artist Duncan McClellan, the gala also featured work from Don Kobasky, Kimberly White, Dianne Caton, Charlie Parker, Traer Price, Leslie Belcher-Huston and Clayton Swartz.

Bay area "celebrity" chefs included St. Petersburg City Council chairwoman Leslie Curran and council members Jeff Danner and Wengay Newton, plus retired Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Irene Sullivan. Grayson Kamm, who works at WTSP-TV Ch. 10, was the emcee.

Also cooking for the event were Suzy Johnson of Apropos Restaurant & Catering; Edyth James, of Edyth's Cooking & Catering; Giselle Weston of La Piu Bella Cakes; Adam Janacek of Paradise Sweets; Michael Leonardo of Quintessence Catering; Justin Keegan of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club; Edward Forrest Quintin, Darien Roth and Luis Reyes of Sysco; Tommy Holli of Working Cow Ice Cream; and students from the Osceola High School culinary arts program.

Jane Harper is president of Family Resources, which helps teens and families in crisis.

3.2.12

Danielle Price, who is dually enrolled at Osceola High School and St. Petersburg College, was named Junior Sungoddess 2012 in ceremonies at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg.

Gabrielle Montes of St. Petersburg High School is first runner-up, and Alexandra Jesaitis of St. Petersburg Catholic High School is second runner-up. The young women, part of a 19-member court, received more than $6,500 in scholarships and awards.

Price is vice president of Osceola's student government organization, a tutor and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Florida Future Educators of America. At SPC, she is treasurer of the Rotaract Club. She has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Toys for Tots, Relay for Life and her church youth ministry.