Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 10-18-19

Local
Well-Known Chef To Preach Trial Sermon
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
Tampa native, Chef Eric Holland laughingly say that he has spent his entire life in the kitchen. His love and mastery of the culinary arts are well known in Tampa Bay and beyond. Chef Eric is also a man of strong faith and belief in God.
Raised in the church with prayer being a large part of his life, he says God has spo-
ken to him several times. Once, while he was in Cali- fornia, God told Chef Eric that he would return home and open a catering busi- ness.
He honed his skills as a Sous Chef and an Executive Chef. He held these posi- tions in some of the most upscale and discerning kitchens, including the Mar- riott Marquis in Atlanta and the historic Don Vincente Hotel in Ybor City prior to him heeding God’s message
CHEF ERIC HOLLAND ...owner of Eve’s Catering
to become the owner and ex- ecutive chef of EVE’s Cater- ing for the last 15+ years.
Together with his ex- pertise in the kitchen and devotion to the Lord, Chef Eric has always had a pas- sion for serving others. He coached football at Tampa Bay Tech and started a culi- nary arts training program at Tampa Housing Author- ity, assisting residents with job training skills and edu- cation in the food service in- dustry.
Chef Eric also started culinary programs in the prison system to give the in- mates a skill when they were released.
According to Chef Eric, “many people get stuck in institutions and when they are released, they are either stuck in the past or lost.” He ministers to people in his classes, so they have a con- nection and place to start.
A few years ago, Chef Eric began to have a feeling that the Lord had something else in store for him. This time it was an entirely new purpose for his life. He faith- fully prayed on it, and it was revealed to be a calling to
the ministry. With contin- ued prayer, he took the enormous step of entering seminary school, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies.
This weekend, Chef Eric Holland becomes Minister Eric Holland and begins his new journey.
On Sunday October 20, 2019, Minister Holland will deliver his first sermon at Causeway Baptist Church. Causeway Baptist is located at 3015 S. 75th Street in the Palm River-Clair Mel area. Lunch will follow Minister Holland’s inaugural ser- mon.
Minister Holland has been under the guidance and tutelage of the Rev- erend Larry J. Mouton of No Greater Love Church in Tampa and plans to be li- censed and ordained in early 2020. Chef Holland is very connected to prison ministries and thinks that God may be guiding him that way.
Minister Holland is married to Dr. Vandelon Holland. They have one daughter, who is a student at FAMU.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019