TJFS’ annual Trifecta May 2 will feature leading chefs and outstanding teens

Tampa Jewish Family Services will honor eight area teens, and award a community service scholarship at its 2010 Trifecta of Chefs event, TJFS’ annual fundraiser.

The evening will also include 3- course tastings from some of the leading Tampa restaurants and multimedia cooking demonstrations.

The annual Trifecta, this year will be at Congregation Schaarai Zedek in Tampa on Sunday, May 2, beginning with a sponsors’ preevent at 5 p.m.

Teens to be honored are Sam Bobo, Clayton Faulk, Michael Aaron Kanter, Mollie Schick, and Victoria Tannenbaum, all of Tampa; and Mikaela Harris, Lindsey Weiss, and Jeremy Wernick of Pinellas County. The eight are semi-finalists for the TJFS 2010 Senior Care Group Community Excellence Scholarship of $1,800.

Each has devoted substantial time to the community — feeding the hungry, working with disabled children, raising money for cancer and other mitzvahs.

“Their involvement is all encompassing from Jewish organizations, to health related groups, to working with disabled children,” said Stacie Linsky, 2010 Trifecta chair.

“The spirit of Jewish Family Services is exemplified by these teenagers,” she said.

The eight semi-finalists were selected from numerous entries from both Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

Sam Bobo, 18, son of Cheryl and Ralph Bobo of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Tampa, is a student at Berkeley Preparatory School. Sam is active in both United Synagogue Youth and the Tampa Youth Philanthropy Panel. He also is a member of his school’s National Honor Society, and serves as the head chemistry tutor.

Clayton Faulk, 17, son of Debra and Tom Faulk of Congregation Rodeph Sholom, attends the IB program at Robinson High School. Among Clayton’s contributions are volunteering for an international youth soccer tournament in Minnesota, working with seriously ill children through the Children’s Dream Fund, and raising money for breast cancer research through his involvement in the Susan G. Komen’s Breast Cancer 3- Day Walk. Clayton also volunteers for the Children’s Gasparilla Parade in Tampa.

Michael Aaron Kanter, 17, a Carrollwood Day School student, is the son of Eileen and Brad Kanter of Congregation Kol Ami. Working with the Tampa JCC summer camp, Michael has helped provide food and shelter to underprivileged children through Metropolitan Ministries. He also has raised money for cancer research through Relay for Life.

Mikaela Harris, 18, attends Palm Harbor University High School. The daughter of Renee and Evan Harris of Congregation Beth Shalom, Clearwater, Mikaela has developed a program at Cypress Woods School to teach students the importance of appreciating the differences in others.

Mollie Schick, 17, is the daughter of Marla and Martin Schick of Congregation Beth Am. A student at King High School, Mollie has participated in Relay for Life, Metropolitan Ministries, a variety of Girl Scout projects, Toys for Tots, road cleanups, Horses for the Handicapped and a swim league for the disabled. She also babysits during Friday night services, and takes part in the Tampa Jewish Family Services High Holy Day food drive.

Victoria Tannenbaum, 18, of Congregation Schaarai Zedek of Tampa, is the daughter of Robert and Stephanie Tannenbaum and Wendy and Jeff Flynn. She is a student at Berkeley Preparatory School. Last year she traveled to the Dominican Republic with her mother to volunteer in a Chiro Mission community service project where she tutored local children in English.

Lindsey Weiss, 17, a student at Berkeley Preparatory School, is the daughter of Ellen and Michael Weiss of Temple Ahavat Shalom, Palm Harbor. For the past eight years, Lindsey served as a volunteer leader for Florida’s Junior Board of the Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF), which focuses on congenital heart disease. She also has been a CHF junior representative to the National Congenital Heart Coalition, lobbying in Washington, D.C. for the passage of the national Congenital Heart Futures Act.

Jeremy Wernick, 17, is the son of Tiffani and Jeff Wernick of Temple Ahavat Shalom. Jeremy, a student at Berkeley Preparatory School, has participated in the New Ahavat Shalom Temple Youth (NASTY), where he served on its board as co-programming vice president, co-religious and cultural vice president, and president for two terms. Through NASTY, Jeremy volunteered for Watson House for the Blind and Camp Jenny, an overnight camp for underprivileged elementary school students from Atlanta.

The the announcement of the scholarship winner will take place during the Trifecta’s main event.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the main event will offer tastings of appetizers, entrees and desserts along with wine and cocktail samplers. Ten restaurants and caterers will be represented: Ceviche, datz deli, Doormet, Bailey’s Columbia, The Lime, A La Carte, Alessi’s, Zudar’s and Lynn’s Catering.

Demonstrations of various chefs preparing their specialties will be seen on large screen prior to the serving of each course. Chefs were filmed cooking in their restaurant kitchens. The main event will also feature a silent auction with prizes. Cost to attend the main event is $45 per person.

At the “sponsors’ feast” from 5-6 p.m, guests will sample two dishes of food prepared by Fleming’s Prime Steak House, coupled with several glasses of wine. “Guests will learn how to select the proper glass of wine for particular entrees,” said Linsky. Sponsorships are $125 per person.

For more information call (813) 960-1848 or or go to www.tjfs.org.