Taste History: Culture, Career and Beauty Weekend for prestigious Debutante program

The Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History hosted the Culture, Career & Beauty Weekend Seminar for the 2015 debutantes of the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club (FJBWC). The program included a two-day agenda starting with Saturday, March 14^th with MLFH’s Taste History Culinary Tour of Historic Lake Worth & Lantana where the debutantes tasted new foods; met local artists and learned about other cultures, history and Viva Florida. On the second day of March 15th, the Career Day was held at Macy’s Boynton Beach with a stellar line-up of speakers representing creative and medical professions who came from Washington, D.C., New York City, N.Y.; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Pembroke Pines, Florida and Boca Raton, Florida. Lunch-by-the-bite was catered by the Cheese & Wine Café.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary Tour at Hoffman's Chocolates in Downtown Lake Worth

The FJBWC was established in 1959 by African American teachers in honor of one of the first black woman teachers in southern Palm Beach County, Frances J. Bright. The prestigious debutant program and the annual cotillion were created in 1967 to offer striving African American high school girls etiquette training and raise monies for scholarships. The current 2015 class of debutants attend high school at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach and Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington.

“Career, Culture & Beauty Weekend Seminar was created especially for the debutants with the objective of exposing these striving young ladies to new cultural foods, emerging artists, other Florida history and unique careers”, says Lori J. Durante of the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History, who developed the program.

The MLFH Taste History Culinary Tour featured international food tastings at the Cheese & Wine Café in Lantana; and in downtown Lake Worth at South Shores Tavern, Brogues Downunder, The Java Juice Bar, Hoffman’s Chocolates and the Tortilleria Gallo de Oro. The debutants also met local artists at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery, the Artisans on theAve Gallery and met artist Sami Makela at his namesake gallery Makela Art Studio. The debutants were also excited about the Going A-Wall murals created by Trek Six and Ruben Ubiera which was organized by the Bruce Webber Gallery. The walking component of the tour traveled thru Lake Worth’s LULA Arts District that featured the 1941 Lake Worth Public Library building, and the 1924 Lake WorthPlayhouse.

Part two of program was the Career Day for the debutants of the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club at Macy's Boynton Beach organized by the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History

The roster of speakers at the Career Day was interior designer Angela S. Colley, President of the American Society of Interior Designers-South Florida Chapter; David Green, Vice President at Macy’s; eye Dr. LaMia Jones of Novi Eye Associates; Pharmacist Dr. Renee Jones of Nova Southeastern University; Megan Mikailonis of Macy’s; and Architect Vicki Soderlund of Soderlund Architecture. At the conclusion of the program, each debutant received a makeover in Macy’s beauty department by Clinique, Lancôme and M.A.C.

Debutants at the Cheese & Wine Café in Lantana for the Taste History Culinary Tour

The famous rice bowl at the Cheese & Wine Café was delicious on the Taste History Culinary Tour

Greek rice bowl at the Cheese & Wine Café in Lantana featured on the Taste History Culinary Tour

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary Tour at the Cheese & Wine Café in Lantana

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the Cheese & Wine Café in Lantana

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the 1941 Lake Worth Public Library

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at South Shores Tavern in Downtown Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at South Shores Tavern in Lake Worth

Gourmet French Toast made using Challah bread with pine nuts, mascarpone and orange homemade marmalade at South Shores Tavern was a highlight on the Taste History Culinary Tour

Steak and Brie Nachos . Steak Tips , Home Made Brie and Blue Cheese Sauce , with sautéed Onions, Crimini and Shiitake Mushrooms , on cooked to order fresh local tortilla chips. Served with our House Pineapple Salsa.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at South Shores Tavern in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery

Fashion designer and local artist Pixie Durand at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery welcomed the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the Lake Worth Art League Gallery

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the Java Juice Bar with City of Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso.

Smoothies at the Java Juice Bara refreshing taste on the Taste History Culinary Tour

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at Artisans on the Ave Gallery in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the Artisans on the Ave Gallery in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club members on the Taste History Culinary at the Artisans on the Ave Gallery.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club members with artist Linda Manganaro on the Taste History Culinary at the Artisans on the Ave Gallery.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at Brogues Down Under in Lake Worth.

Take-away food, sausage rolls at Brogues Down Under in Lake Worth

Pavlova Pie at Brogues Down Under is a special treat on the Taste History Culinary Tour.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at Brogues Down Under in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at Hoffman's Chocolates in Downtown Lake Worth

Palm Beach County's very own chocolate café, Hoffman's Chocolates

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at Hoffman's Chocolates in Lake Worth.

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club committee member and debutant on the Taste History Culinary in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary at the Lake Worth Playhouse in Lake Worth.

Going A-Wall mural in the LULA Arts District in Downtown Lake Worth

Lake Worth artist Sami Makela in Downtown Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary with artist Sami Makela at his namesake studio in Downtown Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary in the LULA Arts District in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary with Dr. Jones (2nd from left) and Nurse Jones (5th from left) in the LULA Arts District at the mural by Trekk 6 created for the Going A-Wall mural project.

Committee for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary Tour to Lake Worth and Lantana hosted for the 2015 debutants.

Thank you Dr. Jones and Nurse Jones for being a part of the Taste History Culinary Tour hosted for the debutants

Crossing Lucerne Avenue in Downtown Lake Worth. Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary in the LULA Arts District in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary in the LULA Arts District in Lake Worth at the 1940 Post Office and the James Monument which is honor of Lake Worth pioneers Samuel and Fannie James.

The Tortilleria Gallo de Oro in Lake Worth

Mexican cornmeal at The Tortilleria Gallo de Oro in Lake Worth

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants on the Taste History Culinary

Frances J. Bright Woman's Club committee members and debutants on the Taste History Culinary

Thank you nurse Jones for joining the Taste History Culinary Tour held for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants

Thank you nurse Jones and Dr. Jones for joining the Taste History Culinary Tour held for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants

Day Two - Career Day at Macy's Boynton Beach:

Architect Vicki Soderlund, Macy's Vice President David Green, Dr. LaMia Jones and Lori J. Durante, Executive Director/Chief Curator of the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History

Macy's Gift bags for the debutants of the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club for the Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach. Lunch catered by Cheese & Wine Café

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach. Frances J. Bright Woman's Club President and matriarch Nadine Hart.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach. Frances J. Bright Woman's Club President and matriarch Nadine Hart with Macy's Vice President David Greene.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Parents and Frances J. Bright Woman's Club members. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Eye doctor LaMia Jones. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Architect Vicki Soderlund. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Interior designer Angela S. Colley, architect Vicki Soderlund and Lori J. Durante of the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History

Interior designer Angela S. Colley. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Lori J. Durante, interior designer Angela S. Colley and Megan Mikailonis of Macy's College Relations. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Pharmacist Dr. Renee Jones of Nova Southeastern University. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Mrs. Nadine Hart with Pharmacist Dr. Renee Jones. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Careers at Macy's presentation. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Careers at Macy's presentation video and power point. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Careers at Macy's video and power-point presentation. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Careers at Macy's presentation. Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History's Career & Beauty Day held at Macy's Boynton Beach for the Frances J. Bright Woman's Club debutants.

Click here to read Around Wellington Magazine article about Debutante program

Go here to read Sun-Sentinel news story about Debutante program

Taste History is sponsored by Macy’s, Kingston Fresh, Carl and Iris Apfel, the Patricia Ann Ravo Fund; and the Boris & Edith Rueger Fund. The Taste History Culinary Tour delivering an engaging taste of the cuisine, culture, art and history of the main streets and historic districts in Northwood Village/West Palm Beach, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach; and Lake Worth and Lantana.

Offered year-round, the Taste History is a four-hour food-centric narrated excursion of bus riding and four to six blocks of walking through historic districts for alternate visits to eateries, markets, and an urban farm for food history, food culture facts, foodways information and food tastings. At least three to four eateries are visited per Taste History tour along with trips to historic buildings, cultural centers or art galleries. Tour guests meet the restaurant owners and chefs; and directors and artists of the cultural centers and art galleries. Florida history is narrated by a guide.

The Huffington Post has rated Taste History as one of the “…established food tours in Florida.” VisitFlorida said about Taste History “…the mission is both education and entertainment.” Created in 2011 as the first culinary history tour of its in kind in Palm Beach County, Taste History has grown to feature five cities that are West Palm Beach; Lake Worth and Lantana; and Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. The tour partners include family-owned eateries, cafes, markets, bakeries, juice bars, tea bars; art galleries and non-profit cultural centers highlighting local artists. Lori J. Durante, Executive Tour Director, developed the Taste History Culinary Tours as an extension of the Narrated Bus Tours of Historic Delray Beach that began in 2004 which has hosted more than 8,000 people. Combining the culinary and narrated tours, more than 10,000 people have been hosted, to date. “I took the Narrated Bus Tour and enriched it by adding food tastings which morphed into the Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County,” says Lori J. Durante, Executive Tour Director of the Taste History Culinary Tours.The international news agency The Culture Trip has included the Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County in its roundup of Florida's 10 Best Food Festivals and Fiestas. Taste History landed in good company too. The Culture Trip is a global online news agency, showcasing the best of art, food, culture and travel for every country in the world.

Effective January 1, 2015, rates change to $45 to $50 per person; free for children under age 14 (accompanied by a paid adult family member). Tickets can be purchased at tastehistoryculinarytours.org

Pre-payment is required. For information, call 561-243-2662 or E-mail tour@tastehistoryculinarytours.org. Private group tours are also available.

The food tours board at Macy's (Outside at the East Entrance) located at 801 N. Congress Avenue, Boynton Beach, FL.

The Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County program is a food eating, art and history experience offered by the non-profit Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History (MLFH).

Taste History incorporates a rotation of cuisine tastings representing varied cultures that are American Fusion, African American, Southern American, Asian, Brazilian, Caribbean, Continental, Greco-Roman, Italian, English, French, French Canadian, Irish, Australian, New Zealand, Hungarian, Turkish and Ancient Mexican along with farm-to-table and organic tastings. Taste History combines history, culture and cuisine therefore this gastronomy tour infuses food tastings with the history of the State of Florida and the local area along with visits to historic buildings and art galleries.

The non-profit Taste History Culinary Tours of Historic Palm Beach County, Florida has been designated one of the official community event partners for the State of Florida’s Viva Florida initiative.

2015 Dates (revised/more dates added)– Taste History Culinary Tours

Saturday, January 3, 2015 – Lake Worth/Lantana-Special New Year’s Weekend Tour

Saturday, January 10, 2015 - Lake Worth/Lantana

Saturday, January 17, 2015 - Delray Beach/Boynton Beach (January 17, 2015 is sold-out)

Saturday, January 24, 2015 - Delray beach/Boynton Beach

Saturday, January 31, 2015 – Lake Worth/Lantana (extra date added)

Saturday, February 7, 2015 - Northwood Village/West Palm Beach (February 7, 2015 is sold-out)

Saturday, February 14, 2015 - Lake Worth/Lantana (February 14^th is Valentine’s Day Tour)

Saturday, February 21, 2015 – Delray Beach/Boynton Beach

Saturday, March 7, 2015 – Northwood Village/West Palm Beach (March 7, 2015 is sold-out)

Saturday, March 14, 2015 – Lake Worth/Lantana (March 14, 2015 is sold-out)

Saturday, March 21, 2015 – Delray Beach/Boynton Beach