Exciting news for one Panhandle school courtesy of a national celebrity.
The school is receiving a half million dollar donation. As News 13’s Peyton LoCicero tells us, it will impact how children will learn going forward.
The Emeril Lagasse Foundation announced a $500,000 dollar grant to Seaside School for a signature program that enriches the lives of kids through a fresh perspective on food.
“It’s very vibrant and healthy and they (the students) are having and learning a lot as Brian said, “you know, combining…when you can combine weights and measures and math there is so much connection to it,” said Emeril Lagasse, Celebrity Chef.
Along with the grant, funds raised during Emeril’s Taste of the Race event and the Seaside Half Marathon and 5K Race, benefit the Seaside School Foundation, which allows students to participate in extra-curricular activities like music, art and technology.
“We will no go from K-4, K-6, K-8 and not K-12. So, it’s really amazing. We are building the Emeril Lagasse Culinary Learning Center and a Garden School yard. There will be a performing art center there that is going to be in the plan to build right next door to that,” said Chef Lagasse.
The garden and teaching kitchen will give students a one-of-a-kind curriculum through all core subjects.
“I think there palate is going to change through education. I think that is what the students are going to experience here, is this evolution of just continued education with ingredients and techniques that and what we have to offer locally,” explained Chef Lagasse.
Chef Emeril Lagasse along with other local chefs are confident this donation will spark the love for food in children across Northwest Florida.
Once the new culinary kitchen is up and running, Seaside officials say, they plan to invite the public to use the venue during school session breaks. The goal for construction to begin is slated for September of this year.
