Tickets are now available for the Live Virtual Cooking Class Fundraiser benefiting Taste the Impact. 100% of the proceeds will support the nonprofit’s youth entrepreneurship program that uniquely combines classroom learning and hands-on business experience to equip high school students with the skills they need to succeed in college and careers.

The Virtual Cooking Classes will be held once per month from May through October, 2021, and will feature a variety of top chefs, from local favorites to national celebrities. Chefs donating their time and talents for this fundraiser include (in order of appearance): 

• Chef Norman Constant – Chef Manager, Lowes Portofino Bay Resort at Universal Studios.
• Chef Richard Crisanti – Executive Chef, Shadow Wood Country Club; Executive Chef of the Year, SWFL American Culinary Federation.
• Chefs Sofia Sada and Lilla Bernal - Chefs and Instructors at The Culinary Institute of America.
• Chef Ashten Garrett - Winner of Food Network Guy's Grocery Games; Marriott International Sr. Culinary Art Manager.
• Chef Joshua Zeman - Sea Salt Restaurant on 5th, Naples.  Venetian-inspired, ocean-centric cuisine.
• Chef Michael JaenVega - Martin Fierro Restaurant, Naples. Argentinean & Uruguayan Steakhouse.

​A serious illness several years ago led Marie Capita to take stock of just what she was doing with her life. The result of that internal dialog was a course correction, one that saw her exchange her legal career for one that she finds more fulfilling – helping prepare Immokalee’s high school students for career success once their school days end. 

Capita is executive director of two organizations that are dedicated to providing the skills to accomplish that goal: Taste of Immokalee and Taste the Impact. 

Taste of Immokalee is a student created and led company that provides hands-on experience in all aspects of business. The focus is on entrepreneurship and leadership and to prepare youths for college and careers. Founded in 2014, the company creates and sells specialty food products representing Immokalee’s diverse culture and rich agriculture. The products are sold online and in supermarkets, including in more than 240 Publix locations. Profits are returned to the community to benefit youth programs, and alleviate hunger and poverty.