On October 18, the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Central and Northern Florida, Suncoast Region, hosted its 13th annual Night of the Iguana food and beverage tasting at T. Pepin's Hospitality Centre. Amid the venue's modern decor and Grand Events of Florida L.L.C.'s rain-forest-inspired touches, more than 50 caterers and restaurants-including top sponsors T.G.I. Friday's and Qdoba Mexican Grill-served their best bites.
Sarah Carlson and Danielle Seaberg, event directors for Grand Events, transformed the hospitality center into a tropical rain forest with a multitude of authentic touches, including rain barrels as cocktail tables and tropical flowers. Additionally, they placed a decorative stone archway covered in foliage and vines at the entrance.
Traditionally, the annual event has featured a special area for sponsors and special guests; however, this year the distinction was made with a canopy of camouflage netting suspended above select tables and chairs by four faux tree trunks. High-profile centerpieces of leopard-print spandex and orchids were placed on each table.
Both live and silent auctions also took place to raise money for the charity.
Correction: The pair of planners was incorrectly listed as Sarah Carlson and Jeanette Nunez, instead of Carlson and Danielle Seaberg.
