By Peter Van Allen

Legal sea foods recently lead a local effort to help rebuild the hospitality industry in New Orleans and to raise awareness for the cause.

            Along with other South Florida supporters, the restaurant company hosted a “by the bite” benefit at Town Center at Boca Raton Mall.

            More than 100 people attended, including volunteers and food and wine aficionados.  Guests, who donated $85 per person, also bid on a variety of raffle prizes.

            All of the funds raised will be given directly to New Orleans hospitality workers who are still struggling following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

            New Orleans personality Poppy Tooker, owner of the Savvy Gourmet Cooking School and an advocate for the New Orleans Restaurant Recovery Fund, was the special guest of the evening.  She presented a cooking demonstration.

            “We had two goals when we invited Poppy to South Florida,” said Legal’s culinary director, Yale Woodson.  “We wanted to raise some money that would go directly to those who need it most in the New Orleans restaurant community, and we also hoped to raise awareness for their ongoing struggle.”

            Legal Sea Foods has three South Florida restaurants, located in Boca Raton at the Town Center Mall, at CityPlace in West Palm Beach, and at Sawgrass Mills in Broward County.  Founded in Boston, the company currently owns and operates more than 30 restaurants along the East Coast.

Philadelphia Business Journal

June 22-28, 2007