In early April, Mike and Valerie Thompson, the founders of the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown, along with the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Chi Chi Miguel Weekend in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. For 13 years, the Chi Chi events have supported charities along the Gulf Coast, including the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

It was a rousing long weekend full of fun, great food, philanthropy, and togetherness! The thirteenth annual Chi Chi Miguel Weekend took place April 4–6, 2019, at various locations throughout Santa Rosa Beach and Miramar Beach, Florida, and raised over $1 million for Gulf Coast charities.

Emeril Lagasse Foundation will distribute grants to several charities including Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Camille’s Art for Autism, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, Alaqua Animal Refuge, Food for Thought Outreach, the Ingram Lee Foundation and Children’s Volunteer Health Network.

The holidays are a time for reflecting, giving, and being thankful for the things we have received.