First- we do need to cut down on spending as Americans, or at least this American could stand to go three months without buying a pair of shoes, but let’s get a reality check here. Restaurants in Southwest Florida feed, literally and figuratively, our economy. Owners and workers pay taxes, support our numerous charity events and often offer our children their first real-world work experiences, whether they’re scooping ice cream, clearing tables or making the froth on a cappuccino just right.

 Carrabba's supports Girls Inc.

Second- If Suze can make a #79 with lemongrass pork as healthy and delicious as Pho Cali for under $ 9, than I will personally erect a statue of her in my kitchen. By the time you buy the soy sauce, ginger, lemongrass, peanuts and romaine, you would be over budget and I have not even gotten to the bean sprouts and marinated carrots- let alone of bbq pork. If Suze can make a salami and provolone sandwich that feeds two on the most incredible Italian bread since Jersey AND include oil, vinegar, lettuce and tomato and roasted peppers for six bucks I will hand in my resignation as a frequent diner at Piccolo’s Italian Market.

Morton's Market Firehouse Chili Cookoff supporters.

 Third- How can we expect all these businesses to support all the fundraisers at schools and the arts without us giving back a little ourselves? True, if you don’t have it, don’t spend it. I don’t have enough to make caviar a staple. And, if I did have it I still wouldn’t order the $1,000 omelet that a NYC hotel offers. But, come on- if you have any doubt whatsoever how much these restaurants do for our community and support our lifestyles just get a ticket to some of the upcoming culinary events. All Faiths Food Bank “Taste of the Suncoast” on Thursday January 15^th at the Westfield Shopping Center (100% of the ticket price goes to feeding the hungry) and the Lung Association’s Sarasota Food and Wine Festival in Southside Village on January 24 are both prime examples of our giving culinary community.

LeeRoy Selmon's supports the Mark Wandall Foundation.