January 18, 2010
Culinary Wonders USA
Jacksonville Beach, FL

It is our pleasure to invite you to the premier event of the season in the Jacksonville Beach area. It is the home of the former slave, Rhoda L. Martin who believed that all children ‘colored’ or white should have the opportunity to be educated. With her determination, Rhoda L. Martin taught the ‘Colored children’ in her home at her kitchen table. This was the beginning of education for children in her neighborhood called “The Hill”. In 1939, a school was built by the Duval County School Board and given the name Jacksonville Beach Colored School #144. In 2000, the building once used as a school, community center and a health clinic was relocated to its present location at 4th Street South and 4th Ave South, and now bears the name The Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center. We are proud of the courageous efforts of Rhoda L. Martin and her community, “The Hill”.


On Monday, January 18, 2010, the Jacksonville Beach Elementary Preservation Fund, Inc., the not for profit preservation organization will bring back the glory of “The Hill”, Rhoda’s community. Once again the significance of “The Hill” will shine through its people, their foods, and their music. The evening begins at the Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center for a tour of the Center, a Silent Auction and a Wine Tasting. Guests will be transported by trolley to the historical hotel Casa Marina on the Atlantic Ocean.

“A Night on The Hill” will feature a five course dinner by six award-winning, renowned African American Chefs, accompanied by wines from the Heritage Links Brand Vineyards of Africa, as the Jazz Band plays musical tributes to The Hill in the historical Casa Marina Hotel. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit “The Hill” Memory Lane Exhibit.

The chefs are noted by Ebony and Black Enterprise Magazine, HGTV, the Food Network, TurnerSouth, James Beard House awards:

Celebrity Chef Amadeus Amor of Jacksonville, FL

Executive Savory Chef Earlest Bell of the Gaylord Palms Conference Center, Orlando, FL

Executive Pastry Chef Erika Dupree Davis of the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, Ponte Vedra, Fl

Executive Savory Chef Wayne Johnson of the Andaluca Restaurant, Seattle, WA

Executive Savory Chef Shawn Lightfoot of Liquid Lounge and Restaurant, Alexandria, VA

Executive Savory Chef Joe Randall of the Chef Randall Cooking School, Savannah, GA

The admission for the “The Night on The Hill” is $125.00 per person. As a sponsor, you would be able to support the dreams of Rhoda L. Martin by providing funds in the form of a grant or by donating goods and services.