The 16th Annual Big Taste Welcomes Honorary Chair Bernard Carmouche, Culinary Director for Emeril’s Restaurants

For Immediate Release

Contact: Aleisha Garcia

772-283-8373

agarcia@mentorbig.org

The 16th Annual Big Taste Welcomes Honorary Chair Bernard Carmouche,

Culinary Director for Emeril’s Restaurants

Stuart, FL (February 27, 2012)- Signature Sponsor Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Sobel, Bush and McCluskey (Fox Wackeen Dungey) and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (BBBS) are proud to welcome Bernard Carmouche, Culinary Director for Emeril’s Restaurants, as the Honorary Chair for The Big Taste.

Chef Carmouche’s story begins like many of the children in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ programs- which is probably why he is such a big fan of mentoring. In high school he worked as a dishwasher at Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, trying to save enough to buy a car. Emeril Lagasse noticed him taking the initiative, and promised to teach him about cooking as long as he stayed in school. Here is a short except of a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel:

From Commander's Palace and eventually to Emeril's in New Orleans and a coveted internship with acclaimed French chef Roger Verge along the way, Carmouche worked his way up.

"Commander's and Lagasse turned my life around," says Carmouche. "I grew up in a neighborhood where it was very hard to do the right thing."

And just as he was mentored by others, he's constantly on the lookout for young talent in the kitchens he oversees every day in Florida.

"Whatever is taught to you, you teach the next person," says Carmouche. "Mentoring is a gift not to keep, but to pass on."

Chef Carmouche will join Big Brothers Big Sisters supporters at this exciting culinary event and has generously donated dinner for four guests at Emeril’s exclusive Kitchen Table for The Big Taste’s annual silent auction.

The Big Taste, sometimes referred to as The Taste of Martin County or A Taste of Martin County’s Best, showcases local restaurants, caterers, food wine and beer vendors and offers attendees a “taste” of what everyone has to offer. Restaurants compete for votes from attendees in each of the six categories: Best Soup, Best Salad, Best Appetizer, Best Entrée, Best Dessert

and Best Presentation.

BBBS is still currently accepting sponsors, restaurants participants and silent auction donations. To find out more about getting involved visit www.TheBigTaste.net or call 561-727-3450.

Tickets are available in advance for $40 each or two for $65 and can be purchased online at www.thebigtaste.net and at the BBBS office at 5035 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart FL 34997. Tickets will be available at the door for $50 per person.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties

BBBS provides children facing adversity aged 6-17 with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. Since 1986 the organization has provided mentors to children in Martin County and since July 2010 in Palm Beach County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the 35 best performing agencies nationwide. BBBSA recognized CEO William P. Bee Jr. as “CEO of the Year- Small Agency Category” in 2007. South Florida Business Leader Magazine ranked BBBS in 2009 and again in 2010 as one of the top 100 South Florida small businesses. Visit www.mentorbig.org to learn more.

Bayview Construction Named Signature Sponsor of The Big Tournament

Bayview Construction will once again be the Signature Sponsor for The Big Tournament,

benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (BBBS). The Big Tournament will be hosted by The Evergreen Club in Palm City on March 20, 2012 and is presented in conjunction with The Big Taste, sponsored by Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Beard, Sobel, Bush & McCluskey LLP and hosted by Honorary Chair Bernard Carmouche, Culinary Director for Emeril's Restaurants. Bayview Construction has supported The Big Taste for the past three years and is very dedicated to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the children they serve.

"Bayview Construction is excited to once again be a part of The Big Tournament," said Bayview President and BBBS board member Ken Ringe. "We are looking forward to an amazing tournament and heavy competition for The Big Cup, our first prize! We will also have wonderful raffle giveaways and prizes, so be sure to book your foursome early. And, all proceeds to go Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs to help children in our community."

"Bayview Construction is a fantastic partner for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we are blessed to have Ken as part of our organization," said BBBS President and CEO Bill Bee. "The Big Tournament is always an incredible experience. We look

forward to an amazing day!"

Registration is available in advance for $200 per player or $750 a foursome if payment is received by March 1, 2012. Teams can be registered online at www.thebigtournamment.com and at the BBBS office at 5035 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart FL 34997.

Photo Caption: BBBS Board of Trustee Members (Left to Right): Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Beard, Sobel, Bush & McCluskey partner George W. Bush Jr., Bayview Construction President Ken Ringe and Guy, Yudin & Foster partner John Yudin at the check presentation from Bayview Construction for The Big Golf Tournament. Bayview Construction has been the signature sponsor for The Big Golf Tournament for 3 consecutive years.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties

BBBS provides children facing adversity aged 6-17 with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. Since 1986 the organization has provided mentors to children in Martin County and since July 2010 in Palm Beach County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the 35 best performing agencies nationwide. BBBSA recognized CEO William P. Bee Jr. as "CEO of the Year- Small Agency Category" in 2007. South Florida Business Leader Magazine ranked BBBS in 2009 and again in 2010 as one of the top 100 South Florida small businesses. Visit www.mentorbig.org to learn more.

Fox Wackeen Dungey Sobel Bush & McCluskey LLP Named Signature Sponsor of The 16th Annual Big Taste

Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Sobel, Bush & McCluskey (Fox Wackeen Dungey) will once again be the
Signature Sponsor for The Big Taste, benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties (BBBS). The firm has supported The Big Taste for the past three years and is very dedicated to Big Brothers Big Sisters and the children they serve.

The Big Taste will be hosted by The Evergreen Club in Palm City on March 20, 2012 and is presented in conjunction with The Big Tournament, sponsored by Bayview Construction. This year, The Big Taste welcomes Honorary Chair Bernard Carmouche, Culinary Director for Emeril’s Restaurants.

“Mentoring is very near and dear to the hearts of attorneys, because it is so important during our career development,” said Fox Wackeen Dungey partner and BBBS board member George W. Bush. “It has been proven time and time again that the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring model works and has demonstrable impact on the lives of participating children. Who wouldn’t
support an organization with such a proven impact in our community?”

“We are proud to have Fox Wackeen Dungey supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Big Taste,” said BBBS President and CEO Bill Bee. “Our success is only possible with the support of community conscious businesses and leaders like George Bushand his firm.”

The Big Taste, sometimes referred to as The Taste of Martin County or A Taste of Martin County’s Best, showcases local restaurants, caterers, food wine and beer vendors and offers attendees a “taste” of what everyone has to offer. Restaurants compete for votes from attendees in each of the six categories: Best Soup, Best Salad, Best Appetizer, Best Entrée, Best Dessert
and Best Presentation.

BBBS is still currently accepting sponsors, restaurants participants and silent auction donations. To find out more about getting involved visit www.TheBigTaste.net or call 772-283-8373.

Tickets are available in advance for $40 each or two for $65 and can be purchased online at www.thebigtaste.net and at the BBBS office at 5035 SE Federal Hwy, Stuart FL 34997. Tickets will be available at the door for $50 per person.

Service Learning

My name is Chelsea Williams and I have been interning with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties since August. My experience here has been amazing! When I first began I was a little intimidated because I did not have any background knowledge in the field of non-profits, however, I was eager to learn so everyday I came with laptop and notebook ready in hand. I had to first interview with Kara Justi, Chief Development Officer of BBBS of PB and Martin Counties, and from that interview I knew she was an astonishing woman. Her flamboyant and super pleasant personalities are qualities needed in the world of non-profit. Justi mentored me and several other girls and educated us on the dos and don’ts when it comes to maintaining a non-profit organization and writing grants. We worked extensively on research for grants. We were made aware of the importance of conducting research before you can even think about writing a grant. We were educated on the different types of grants and the ones that are most preferred by non-profit organizations. We were also given access to exclusive websites such as the Foundation Center Online. Utilizing such websites afforded us the opportunity to view specific grant-makers’ requirements, grant-makers’ 990s, and also to see what organizations the grant-makers had previously donated to. Lastly, each of us got to submit our own grant to Wal-Mart. Hitting the submit button was the most rewarding part of the entire process. Through the advise of Justi I also have been afforded another opportunity; interning for local magazine, HER LIFE. Working with the program is beneficial to all participants. Rewarding experiences were reciprocated on both ends. Overall, I enjoyed my experience with BBBS of Palm Beach and Martin Counties and I recommend the organization to anyone wanting to explore the field of non-profit.

-Chelsea Williams

Florida Atlantic University Senior

FAU Students Benefit from Writing for Nonprofit Service Learning Hours with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties!

As an English major, enrolling in one of Florida Atlantic University’s Special Topics courses, Writing for Nonprofit ENC 4930, turned into a life changing event.  Not only do we study different types of national and local nonprofit organizations, but we also were able to research and choose a nonprofit organization we are interested in completing service learning hours or an internship.  FAU works with several nonprofit organizations through different partnerships, so we had a nice list to choose from – covering many areas of nonprofit.  I worked with Upward Bound, America Reads, and Ameri Corps while earning my first degree at Indiana University, so my obvious choice was Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.  Although I am on a different side of the volunteer spectrum for the agency, it is essentially just as important as mentoring.  Without the grant writing, community involvement, partnerships gained, and our place in social media BBBS would not be able to mentor as many children and make such a big difference in the communities.  My volunteer hours are wonderful learning experiences at Big Brothers Big Sisters as well as being given the opportunity to write in a “real world” situation by applying what I learn in class to a professional setting.  The service learning hours I completed at the agency provided me with valuable information required to explore the nonprofit world.  I have studied and even written my own grant through the nonprofit organization, mentored by Kara Justi.  Volunteering at BBBS compliments the learning from my class by giving the opportunity for hands-on-experience.  I have learned so much about the agency as a mentoring program as well as a small business.  Kara turned this into a meaningful experience by focusing my group and I on different nonprofit websites that provide so much useful information I take back to the classroom some days and writing our own grants some days.  The office atmosphere at BBBS in West Palm Beach is ideal for someone just getting out of college that wants to give back to the community.  Kara is supportive and her small staff gets a lot done working collaboratively in a relaxed environment – a business casual, professional position that changes at-risk children’s lives for the better every day.  The semester has gone by so fast; it will not be easy to depart from this insightful, significant learning experience when the semester is over.

Thank you so much Kara and the BBBS staff!!!


-Brandi, Service Learning Student