By Savannah Hipes, LCSW
Courses and Conversations is entering its 6th year and is considered one of the key events of the season. It's a gourmet multi-course, multi-chef dinner to benefit the National Alliance for Eating Disorders (flyer above), the country's leading non-profit dedicated to outreach, education and support of all eating disorders. The last event was a tremendous success, and with over 100 guests in attendance, we raised over $30,000 for our organization! Chefs from world-renowned resorts, country clubs, and restaurants came together to make this dinner an incredibly meaningful evening! This year's event is being held on Monday October 21st at The Osprey in Orlando, Florida and is hosted by Chef Cooper. All proceeds go to support the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, the largest national organization providing support and resources for people suffering from eating disorders along with their loved ones.
As a local psychotherapist working with eating disorders as well as other related conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and nightmares for the past 6 years, I personally have seen how the work of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders has healed people in my life, both friends and clients, and in our local Central FL community. Their virtual and in-person eating disorder support groups are open to those 18 and up experiencing an eating disorder, and we have specialty groups for family and friends of those experiencing an eating disorder, as well as many other demographics including: larger bodied individuals, LGBTQ+, BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color), individuals who have lost a loved one to an eating disorder, and individuals working in the fashion/beauty/entertainment industries. Unknown to many, eating disorders are the second deadliest psychiatric disorder, taking one life every 52 minutes. This is an extremely serious medical and mental health condition that The Alliance has been educating the community on for decades.
The line up of chefs for the event is STUNNING, including Chef Nikk Burton of The Monroe, Chef Michael Cooper of The Osprey, Chef Rhys Gawlak of JW Marriott Grande Lakes, Chef Lordfer Lalicon of Kaya, and Chef Michael Tiva of Wolfgang Puck. Each chef will create their own unique plated course, and personally introduce it to the audience, with each course being meticulously paired with wine. There will also be a silent auction where attendees can bid on items like show tickets, hotel stays, and vacation packages, multiple of which have been donated by Sanford businesses. I'd love to invite Sanford to enjoy such a fun event, while also investing in the mental and physical wellness of our community by supporting this immeasurably impactful organization.
To purchase tickets, go online at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2024coursesorlando/ or call 866.662.1235.
