Chef Ben Pumo hosted a Celebration Fundraising Dinner at Benedetto's Ristorante Italiano for the 2017 6A Softball STATE Champions on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. 5:30 pm were the Appetizers and 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm was the Celebration Dinner.

The organization fundraises to equally outfit the JV & Varsity alike, tearing down the division that can often be created by unequal treatment of the two. They have accomplished a lot in the last four years since the Head Coach Mitch Wilkins came onboard via the community support through sponsorships big or small the ladies are very grateful for the continued support. They have a few more initiatives they are working toward:

• The Championship Ring Sponsorship
• The Tarp Sponsorship to preserve the hours of volunteer hours that goes into that field preparation.
• The Concept Dug Out that leads to their dressing room giving the LADIES the privacy they need out there in the SWAMP.

2017 6A Softball State Champion Benefit Celebration Dinner consisted of a five course meal:

Dal Menu,

1st course

Lump Crab cocktail

Fresh lump crabmeat over a key lime slaw with a farm to table kumquat vinaigrette served in a martini glass.

2nd course

Caprese Eggplant

Florida grown beefsteak tomatoes layered with fresh mozzarella, basil, roasted eggplant, topped with extra virgin olive oil pesto garnished with fresh locally grown micro greens from Glory Road Farms.

3rd course

Cast Iron Skillet Elk

One of Chef Ben's favorite game elk raised in Canada pan seared in a cast iron pan accompanied with Yukon gold mashed potatoes topped with steak Dianne sauce.

4th course

Lobster Ravioli

Hand made pasta made by Chef Giuseppe's Mom stuffed with langostino lobster, scallops and crab, served in a sun dried tomato pesto cream sauce.

5th course

Heath Bar Napoleons

Puff pastry layered with homemade cream, Heath Bar, and imported chocolate shavings drizzled with caramel and chocolate.

Vegetarians or seafood allergies were accommodated that evening. To learn more, visit: http://italianrestauranttampa.com/