World Food Championships give back to local charities

BY MARY SERGEANT Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism
Posted 11/23/16

ORANGE BEACH, AL - World Food Championships WFC celebrated its first year at The Wharf in Orange Beach Nov. 9-15. In an event that brought more than 400 teams from around the world to compete for the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

World Food Championships give back to local charities

Posted

ORANGE BEACH, AL - World Food Championships WFC celebrated its first year at The Wharf in Orange Beach Nov. 9-15. In an event that brought more than 400 teams from around the world to compete for the grand prize of $100,000.

But, the winners weren’t the only ones leaving with gifts and monetary awards. Several local charities partnered with WFC and are still praising the event for its many generous contributions.

“World Food Championships was an exciting event that brought visitors and locals from all walks of life down to visit our beautiful beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach,” Herb Malone, president and CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, said. “Watching WFC come together with the leaders of our area and several local charities to give back to this community was truly heartwarming. We can’t thank them enough for their generosity.”

Those good works are likely to continue for a few years for the Orange Beach area. Councilman Jerry Johnson said the event was “fabulous” and organizers loved what they saw here.

“They’ve signed a three-year contract and signed a two-year option and they were ready to sign that right now,” Johnson said. “They said it was the best venue they have ever been to. It was a great partnership between the city and event committee.”

Every year, WFC partners with a local food bank. This year was no different. WFC staff contacted Feeding the Gulf Coast and donated more than 12,000 pounds of fresh produce, meats, dairy and canned goods leftover from the week’s various competitions to residents in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach through a partnership with Christian Service Center.

“A food donation of this size and quality could not have come at a better time of year,” Cathy Pope, president and CEO of Feeding the Gulf Coast, said. “We helped transport the 12,000 pounds of food to one of our local partner agencies and all of the food was distributed that day to over 800 people. The clients are still calling and emailing our partner agency thanking them for the food that came in just in time for their Thanksgiving meal.”

WFC also formed a partnership with Operation ReConnect, a local organization that aims to reduce the disconnection between military members and their families during deployments by offering them a complimentary vacation on Alabama’s beaches once the deployment is complete.

Operation ReConnect was the beneficiary of the Bourb’N’Que fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 11. Then, on one of the final days of the week-long event, an impromptu oyster shucking contest was held between Matt Claxton, general manager at Flora-Bama Yacht Club, and Christian Collins, an emcee for WFC, raising more than $2,500 for Operation ReConnect.

What started as a friendly competition will become a scheduled event at WFC in 2017. Overall, Operation ReConnect raised roughly $11,000 throughout the week.

“It was amazing to be involved with such passionate and caring people,” Ryan Charrier, president and founder of Operation ReConnect, said. “Our missions may be different, but our methods of connecting people are very similar. Looking forward to 2017, as we have some big plans ahead.”

WFC also donated small appliances and cookware to several Baldwin County schools and the Orange Beach Fire Department.

“The Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area has been incredibly supportive of our event throughout the entire year.” Mike McCloud, president and CEO of World Food Championships, said. “Nothing pleases us more than to be able to give back to this wonderful community through various ways and events.”

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism serves as the official destination marketing organization for the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in addition to the unincorporated area of Fort Morgan. To learn more about the whole different state of discovery on Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit either GulfShores.com or OrangeBeach.com. This convention and visitors bureau is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization (2012-2016).

About World Food Championships:

The World Food Championships (www.worldfoodchampionships.com) features hundreds of competitors seeking food fame and fortune in Orange Beach, Alabama for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Following a tournament-style format across multiple iconic food categories, the WFC culminates with a Final Table faceoff where category champions brave potential elimination in front of a live audience and discerning panel of culinary judges. The World Food Championships is owned and produced by Nashville-based MMA Creative.