Janca’s Jingle Bell Jamboree is Dec. 17

Friends of Chef Brannon Janca present festive benefit

Nov. 29, 2022
Special to 30A Food & Wine

SANTA ROSA BEACH – A group of locals have come together to help Chef Brannon Janca, owner of Down Island Gulf Seafood Restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach. The holiday fundraiser, called Janca’s Jingle Bell Jamboree, will be held at Down Island on Dec. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include live music, a wine walkabout, local area chef demos, a large silent auction, a professional photo booth, and so much more. Tickets are $100 (food and wine included). Tickets can be purchased here: Janca’s Jingle Bell Jamboree is also on Facebook @jancasjinglebelljamboree.

Chef Brannon Janca is a kind-hearted, incredibly talented, driven, and an all-around great guy. Brannon worked at Stinky’s Fish Camp for years alongside his partner and mentor, Jim Richard, but it was always his dream to open up his own spot. In 2017, he sold his part of Stinky’s and started the process of building his dream restaurant, Down Island.

Halfway through renovations, however, Brannon was diagnosed with lung cancer. He didn’t want this to stop him, so he kept working on Down Island while fighting this health battle behind the scenes. By the grace of God, and just before Down Island opened, Brannon reached clinical remission. Everything was going well until recently his treatment stopped working and the cancer became active again. He has recently started chemotherapy while still cooking and operating the restaurant as much as he can.

Obviously this brings all plans to a screeching halt, and now both his health and lifelong dream are at risk. To help alleviate some of the financial burden and stress, a few of his closest local friends are putting together this benefit on Brannon’s behalf.

Community members are asked to help supporting Brannon and Stefani Janca, longtime locals, neighbors, friends, and small business owners! The group is still securing volunteers, silent auction donations, and sponsors. Contact Jill Tanner at jill@clutchmediaworks.com to help, donate or sponsor.