Beer & Bites Sponsor Spotlight: Anthony’s Restaurants
For many Beer & Bites guests, one of the evening’s first stops is the Anthony’s appetizer stations.
Freshly shucked oysters, chef-crafted appetizers, and views of the Narrows Bridge have become a favorite way to kick off the evening. Behind that experience are 25 team members from Harbor Lights, Anthony’s at Point Defiance, and Boathouse 19, including restaurant managers, chefs, servers, kitchen staff, and support teams.
We recently caught up with Anthony’s Marketing Director Kirsten Elliott to learn more about Anthony’s support of Beer & Bites.
The South Sound CARE Foundation extends our heartfelt condolences to everyone at Anthony's Restaurants following the loss of founder and chairman Budd Gould. His commitment to hospitality, community, and giving back helped shape Anthony's Restaurants, and those values continue to guide the company today.
How did Anthony’s become involved with Beer & Bites?
When Boathouse 19 joined our family in 2022, Gordon Rush introduced Beer & Bites and the South Sound CARE Foundation to our founder, Budd Gould. Supporting the event and its mission was an easy yes, and that one conversation turned into a commitment.
Can you share what Anthony’s involvement looks like each year?
Each year, team members from Anthony’s at Point Defiance, Harbor Lights, and Boathouse 19 come together with one shared goal: to kick off a night of fun and fundraising with the best appetizer hour in town.
The Anthony’s oyster bar is a favorite of Beer & Bites guests, with two or three species, freshly shucked by our chefs, and the Narrows Bridge as the backdrop. It doesn’t get more Pacific Northwest than that.
Over the years, Harbor Lights and Boathouse 19 have served up ahi nachos and seared beef tenderloin crostini, keeping guests coming back for seconds. This year, both locations are debuting something new, and if past years are any indication, they won’t last long.
Helping make it all happen are Anthony’s at Point Defiance General Manager AnaLee Fluegel and Chef Brandon Thompson; Harbor Lights General Manager Jon Tice-Zelaya and Chef Destrey Higa; and Boathouse 19 General Manager Danielle Holm and Chef Nick Robinson.
What does supporting Beer & Bites mean to the Anthony’s team?
To us, hospitality extends beyond the restaurant. It’s about how we show up for the people in our communities. Our team members are raising families and building their lives in the South Sound. Access to cancer research and clinical trials close to home isn’t abstract to them. It’s personal. Beer & Bites is one way we show up for the South Sound beyond the plate, and that means a lot to us.
What keeps Anthony’s coming back year after year?
The people and the positive energy in the room. Beer & Bites feels less like an auction and more like a gathering of friends working toward a common purpose. Each year, though, we’re reminded of something bigger—seeing the passion and dedication Gordon Rush and Dr. Senecal bring to making a difference in this community puts it all in perspective. When a partnership is grounded in shared values and genuine friendship, you don’t walk away from it.
We’re grateful to Anthony’s Restaurants and the many team members who share their time, talent, and hospitality in support of Beer & Bites. Their commitment helps bring our community together while advancing cancer research, clinical trials, and innovative treatment options close to home.
