Doors of Hope to host 5th annual Firefly Supper featuring local chefs

Oct 02, 2019 at 07:00 am by Voice Wire


The fifth annual Firefly Supper benefiting Doors of Hope will take place on Thursday, October 17 at The View at Fountains. 

Chefs Mitchell Murphree, Five Senses & Steakhouse Five, Michael DeChirico, Willie Mackey, and Tom Goodner, Adams Place Independent Living, Michael O'Bannon, retired pastor, and Jack Barakat, Milano II and Jack’s Place, will gather to prepare the meal. 

“The Firefly Supper is an event to spotlight the life-changing mission and services of Doors of Hope. These programs strengthen our community and provide hope and resources to women recently released from incarceration. We are thrilled to celebrate our fifth annual Firefly Supper at a new venue, The View at Fountains. The evening includes a locally inspired meal provided by talented local chefs, served by the students from the Blackman High School’s Culinary Arts Department,” Firefly Supper committee chair Emily Baker said.

myNexus is the event’s Presenting Sponsor. The Honorable Steve and Lara Daniel are the Luminary Sponsor. The John W. and Barbara A. Dant Charitable Foundation is sponsoring the Bart Warner Volunteer of the Year Award that will be presented at the Firefly Supper. The late Dr. Bart Warner was instrumental in the early years of Doors of Hope, and to honor his immense contributions, the Volunteer of the Year Award was named in his memory. 

“Amanda and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to show our public support for Doors of Hope. We are so impressed with their team and the difference that they are making in the lives of women that are committed to breaking free of their lives of addiction and incarceration,” says Firefly Supper Honorary Chair Senator Shane Reeves. 

Doors of Hope founder and CEO, Maridel Williams, is excited to celebrate again this year with the community and supporters who have helped make this another amazing year of progress.

“We are looking forward for this year's event; plans are coming along nicely for a lovely evening. But much more than the loveliness of the event, we believe guests will leave with an unforgettable glimpse into the life-changing work being done at Doors of Hope. We look forward to a record crowd, as we honor the contributions of those who have given to make the work possible, the accomplishments of those on the receiving end, and the positive impact it has on our community," Williams said.

To learn more about Doors of Hope, please make plans to attend the Firefly Supper on October 17.  A limited number of tickets are still available.  For more information, please contact Doors of Hope at (615) 900-0634 or email Emily Baker at ebaker@opendoorsofhope.org

DOORS OF HOPEfounded in 2011 by Maridel Williams, provides mentoring, training, and basic needs to women who are nearing release from incarceration.  They work primarily with non-violent offenders to help them succeed in building a better life for themselves and the next generation. The mission of Doors of Hope is to empower women to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration. Find Doors of Hope on Facebook.

CHEF BIOS

MITCHELL MURPHREE is the owner and Executive Chef of Five Senses Restaurant & Catering and the newly opened Steakhouse Five right here in Murfreesboro. Murphree grew up in Paris, TN and is a graduate of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a degree in Food Science and Technology and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Chef Murphree has spent time cooking in Knoxville, TN at the Tomato Head, in Palm Beach, FL, at the PGA National Resort and in Birmingham, AL, at the famous Highlands Bar and Grill. Murphree loves to be involved in the community and has two great boys and a lovely wife, Krista, who has started working in the business.

MICHAEL DECHIRICO is the Residential Living Chef at AdamsPlace.  Chef DeChirico attended Johnson & Wales College in Charleston, SC where he received his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. Following work as a Sous Chef at a popular Hilton Head, SC, restaurant, Chef DeChirico moved to Tennessee as Executive Chef at a Nashville restaurant until his arrival in 2001 at AdamsPlace Independent Living.

TOM GOODNER spent his early years in Des Moines, Iowa where his parents had family style restaurants and he received his first “on the job training”. Tom was the Head Chef at an upscale supper club and then the Assistant Director of Food Service of Lourdes Hospital.  Tom is the former executive chef at AdamsPlace NHC and am now am a retired Chef at Large.

WILLIE MACKEY was born in Logansport, IN. He gained his associates degree in culinary arts and nutrition from Sullivan University. Chef Mackey worked for NHC for 12 years as head chef at NHC SPARTA, Hendersonville, Bellevue, Cool Springs and now in Murfreesboro at Adamsplace. 

MICHAEL D. O'BANNON is a retired pastor. He is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College and Vanderbilt University, Rev. O’Bannon serves as Chair of the Journey Home Board of Directors and enjoys cooking for the Journey Home Friday Kitchen Team.

JACK BARAKAT is owner and chef of Milano II restaurant. The restaurant was founded in 1989 at the plaza across from Stones River Mall, then moved to its current location in an historic house that was built in the 1800s, located in downtown Murfreesboro. Milano II features northern Italian cuisine; every dish is made to order to meet customers’ special needs. Milano II caters on site or on your site.  The restaurant features a banquet room with seating for up to 70 people for private events, and Jack's Place, an elegant neighborhood bar. 

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