By Jessica Wootten | Scholarship Manager
The 2014 TASTE OF GSBA culminated Saturday, November 22 at the Westin Seattle Hotel, raising more than $727,000 for The GSBA Scholarship Fund. 100% of the proceeds raised at the event will benefit LGBTQ and allied undergraduate students from across Washington State. As the largest and most successful LGBT chamber of commerce, TASTE is the organization’s signature fundraising event, a black-tie evening of culinary delights, celebrity chefs, four-course sit-down dinner, musical entertainment from performers from the 5th Avenue Theatre, and multiple auctions.
“Breathtaking is the word that comes to mind when I describe this year’s TASTE,” said GSBA President & CEO Louise Chernin. “The love and enthusiasm for the GSBA Scholarship Fund and our amazing scholars was crystal clear as over 820 guests raised record amounts of money to help LGBTQ and allied students attend college. The funds raised will be used to provide hope and financial aid to a group of students, many of whom have overcome serious challenges and who, all too often, have little traditional means of support. We look forward to awarding and celebrating students next year, all of whom will be able to realize their dreams due to the remarkable generosity of our donors.”
The evening kicked off with silent auctions and small plates from GSBA member restaurants and caterers. Participating caterers included Cameron Catering, Amato Catering, Ray’s Boathouse, Manhattan, Barrio, Fig Tree Catering, Taylor Shellfish, Two Tartes and Urbane. Wine lovers enjoyed the recent addition of the Wine District, a special tasting area with eight Washington winemakers pouring tastes from Bartholomew Winery, Elsom Cellars, Fidelitas, Goose Ridge, Laurelhurst Cellars, :Nota Bene Cellars, Port Gardner Bay Winery and Va Piano Vineyards.
Guests were entertained with performances from Sweet Charity by cast members from the 5th Avenue’s recent performance of A Chorus Line. “Hey Big Spender,” was especially poignant given the night’s mission and purpose.
The heart of the evening was a speech made by GSBA scholarship recipient, Nyka, who spoke about her personal experiences with the organization and the impact the scholarship made on her life. Tucker received a GSBA Scholarship in 2013 which made it possible for her to graduate from the University of Washington with a BS in Microbiology and a minor in Global Health. She currently works at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research and plans to continue on to medical school.
"I was very honored to have been a part of TASTE; the GSBA is truly remarkable,” said Tucker. “Receiving financial support from the GSBA Scholarship Fund has made a huge difference in my life, but it’s not just about the money. I have been welcomed into a family…a community of people who are there to help and support me through the good and challenging points.”
Links:
By Miles F. | GSBA Scholar and College Freshman
By Jessica Wootten | Scholarship Manager & Development Associate
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