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Lakeland, FL – Academy Prep Center of Lakeland is thrilled to announce the return of its signature culinary fundraiser, Cookin’ For Kids, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. hosted on campus at 1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805. This exciting, one-of-a-kind event unites community spirit and culinary excellence to raise critical funds for the Student Scholarship Fund. Cookin’ For Kids features a high-energy celebrity chef battle, where local VIPs team up with Academy Prep scholars serving as sous chefs to prepare unforgettable dishes—guided by two of Lakeland’s finest Top Chefs. Attendees will watch as these dynamic teams go head-to-head in the kitchen, all vying for the coveted title of Cookin’ For Kids Champion. A panel of celebrity judges will determine the winning dish, while guests enjoy an interactive evening full of flavor, inspiration, and impact. Featured Top Chefs: ? Tina Calhoon – Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar ? Dorcas Crumbley – Essential Catering Solutions Celebrity Chefs Include: ? Stacy Butterfield – Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller ? Guy LaLonde Jr. – Lakeland City Commissioner ? Stephanie Madden – Lakeland City Commissioner ? Joe Tedder – Polk County Tax Collector All proceeds from the evening support Academy Prep’s life-changing mission to provide a tuition-free, college-preparatory middle school education for students from low-income families in Lakeland. Tickets and sponsorships are available now for this unforgettable evening of culinary creativity and community spirit. Reserve your seat or become a sponsor today! https://bit.ly/aplcfk About Academy Prep Center of Lakeland: For over 25 years, Academy Prep Centers for Education have been transforming our communities...one child at a time. Academy Prep Center of Lakeland is a private, nonprofit middle school serving low-income students and their families by providing an exemplary, tuition-free college preparatory middle school education. The mission of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is to inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to be future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support. Students attend Academy Prep up to 11 hours a day, six days a week, 11 months per year on full scholarships provided by the local community. After graduation, Academy Prep provides intensive guidance and follows alumni throughout their academic careers for up to 8 years. Academy Prep would not be possible without the generous support of the local community as every student attends on full scholarship provided by individuals, foundations, corporations, and organizations. To learn more, please visit https://lakeland.academyprep.org, or contact Andrea Oliver-Clarke, Director of Advancement, at 863.940.8900 ext. 3151 or aoliverclarke@academyprep.org Contact: Andrea Oliver-Clarke | Director of Advancement 863.940.8900 ext. 3151 aoliverclarke@academyprep.org Academy Prep Center of Lakeland Announces Cookin’ For Kids 2025: A Celebrity Chef Showdown Supporting Student Scholarships
Lakeland, FL – Academy Prep Center of Lakeland is thrilled to announce the return of its signature culinary fundraiser, Cookin’ For Kids, on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. hosted on campus at 1021 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33805. This exciting, one-of-a-kind event unites community spirit and culinary excellence to raise critical funds for the Student Scholarship Fund.
Cookin’ For Kids features a high-energy celebrity chef battle, where local VIPs team up with Academy Prep scholars serving as sous chefs to prepare unforgettable dishes—guided by two of Lakeland’s finest Top Chefs. Attendees will watch as these dynamic teams go head-to-head in the kitchen, all vying for the coveted title of Cookin’ For Kids Champion. A panel of celebrity judges will determine the winning dish, while guests enjoy an interactive evening full of flavor, inspiration, and impact.
Featured Top Chefs: ? Tina Calhoon – Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar ? Dorcas Crumbley – Essential Catering Solutions
Celebrity Chefs Include: ? Stacy Butterfield – Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller ? Guy LaLonde Jr. – Lakeland City Commissioner ? Stephanie Madden – Lakeland City Commissioner ? Joe Tedder – Polk County Tax Collector
All proceeds from the evening support Academy Prep’s life-changing mission to provide a tuition-free, college-preparatory middle school education for students from low-income families in Lakeland. Tickets and sponsorships are available now for this unforgettable evening of culinary creativity and community spirit. Reserve your seat or become a sponsor today! https://bit.ly/aplcfk
About Academy Prep Center of Lakeland:
For over 25 years, Academy Prep Centers for Education have been transforming our communities...one child at a time. Academy Prep Center of Lakeland is a private, nonprofit middle school serving low-income students and their families by providing an exemplary, tuition-free college preparatory middle school education. The mission of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization is to inspire and empower students qualifying for need-based scholarships to be future community leaders through a rigorous middle school program coupled with ongoing graduate support. Students attend Academy Prep up to 11 hours a day, six days a week, 11 months per year on full scholarships provided by the local community. After graduation, Academy Prep provides intensive guidance and follows alumni throughout their academic careers for up to 8 years. Academy Prep would not be possible without the generous support of the local community as every student attends on full scholarship provided by individuals, foundations, corporations, and organizations. To learn more, please visit https://lakeland.academyprep.org, or contact Andrea Oliver-Clarke, Director of Advancement, at 863.940.8900 ext. 3151 or aoliverclarke@academyprep.org
Contact: Andrea Oliver-Clarke | Director of Advancement 863.940.8900 ext. 3151 aoliverclarke@academyprep.org Academy Prep Center of Lakeland Announces Cookin’ For Kids 2025: A Celebrity Chef Showdown Supporting Student Scholarships