Supporting the Future of Hospitality “Evening with the Chefs” Celebrates 20 years

Clearwater, Fla. – The Ryan Wells Foundation is celebrating a huge milestone, succeeding in its mission 20 years in the making to help support the dreams of Pinellas County culinary art and hospitality students. Named after an aspiring young chef from Tarpon Springs High School, the foundation continues to provide financial support, encouragement, and opportunities for high school students to become tomorrow’s hospitality industry leaders and philanthropists.
A true testament of the impact of the foundation is Tiffany Camacho, a 2014 scholarship recipient who attended Hollins High School. “The Ryan Wells Foundation has been a part of my journey since 2014. As a scholarship recipient, I was able to attend Johnson & Wales University in Miami, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management and Culinary Arts, which opened countless doors for me in the culinary world. Through the foundation, I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible local chefs, leading to job offers and invaluable experiences”, stated Camacho. “Today, I’m proud to be a culinary arts educator at the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy—the very school Ryan Wells attended during his high school years. This foundation has played a pivotal role in shaping my career, and I’m forever grateful for its support and dedication to aspiring culinary professionals” Camacho continued.
Since 2005, the Ryan Wells Foundation has awarded scholarships to 184 high school students in the amount of $1,380,000. Financial gifts have amounted to over $500,000 including the funding of a 2,500 sq. ft. teaching kitchen, named Ryan’s Kitchen, at the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy at Tarpon Springs High School. All in support of fulfilling the dreams of deserving students and honoring the life of Ryan Wells.
The Ryan Wells Foundation raises funds to support their mission by putting on a charity event known as Evening with the Chefs, designed for the culinary students of Pinellas County to work alongside the best local talent. Mentored by professional restaurant and hotel chefs from the Tampa Bay area, students help prepare delectable appetizers, entrees, and desserts for a crowd of over 300 guests. Evening with the Chefs will also feature wine, spirits, craft beers, live music and a live and silent auction to support student scholarships for post-secondary education in hospitality and the culinary arts, and donations to the school culinary programs throughout Pinellas County. The Ryan Wells Foundation continually supports the culinary programs and students of Hollins High, Northeast High, Lealman Innovation Academy, Bayside High, Osceola Fundamental High, Tarpon Springs High and Pinellas Technical College.
“Evening with the Chefs has been the lifeline of our mission, or shall we say the “secret sauce”, stated Ashley Giasone, Executive Director of the Ryan Wells Foundation, helping us spread the word about the need to support education. But more than that, the event gives students the inspiration and confidence they need to pursue their passion. For several students, it has led to job opportunities and professional mentorships. And for those who have lived a challenged life without much support from family or are unable to afford the high tuition associated with some culinary schools, it’s a chance to show them there are people who believe in them; people willing to give them their time, talent or treasure. For those who knew and loved Ryan Wells, the event is a chance to make him proud, to show him how much he meant to us, and to teach students that beautiful moments can come out of tragedy. Never in a million years did we imagine all we would accomplish and we’re ready for more. It will be a bittersweet goodbye, but we are excited to take the Foundation into its new chapter of giving back to the community”, Giasone continued.
While the 20th anniversary marks the last Evening with the Chefs, the foundation’s mission will carry on long into the future. A need for culinary and hospitality education at both the high school and post-secondary levels will always exist with the Tampa Bay area’s reliance on travel and tourism. Investment in growing local talent starts with local high school culinary programs. Now primarily run by Ryan’s parents and sister, the hope is that future generations of the Wells family continue to award scholarships to students pursuing these fields of study. With smart financial planning and community support, the dreams of Ryan Wells can be realized by others for decades into the future.
Evening with the Chefs will be hosted at the Sheraton Sand Key Hotel, Friday May 9th, 2025 from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Tickets cost $175 per person and can be purchased through the Foundation’s website. All proceeds support the Foundation and the local community through scholarships and educational opportunities directly gifted to the local culinary students.
Learn more about the Foundation, how you can get involved and purchase tickets here: www.ryanwellsfoundation.com or https://e.givesmart.com/events/ExS/.