Two and one half years ago Lourena Ingram and Ethan Rouse started a conversation in South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Alexander Cafe. Many conversations later, the two hospital employees will be representing SFBH in the Dancing with the Locals competition Friday, Nov. 13.
Rouse, originally from Zephyrhills, was asked to participate by event coordinator Candace Green.
The sous chef has maintained some of his moves from days he spent recreationally dancing in the United States Marine Corps.
“I’m always dancing around the kitchen,” Rouse said.
Rouse has treasured cooking since he was a child. He was given the chance to do what he loved once he joined the Marine Corps. He served from 1996 to 2001.
When he enlisted, he took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test to be placed in an educational route.
“I scored so high on my test, my recruiter asked me, ‘What do you want to do?’” Rouse said. “I told him I wanted to cook, and he said, ‘OK, seriously, what do you want to do?’”
He went on to receive his culinary arts degree and helped open 42 Bonefish Grills. Today, he is a sous chef in the South Florida Baptist Hospital’s kitchen.
When Rouse was chosen, he had to find a partner to help him represent the hospital. He picked his close friend and co-worker, Ingram, for the job.
Born in upstate New York, Ingram has been a radiologic technologist at the hospital for 20 years.
She began interning at SFBH through school in 1997. After graduating in 1998 she grew fond of Plant City.
“I like the small community,” Ingram said. “It feels quaint and homey.”
Ingram lives in Tampa with her two sons and husband.
“(My husband) thinks it’s great that I have the opportunity to do this,” Ingram said.
Ingram enjoys playing poker at the Hard Rock Cafe, in Tampa. She became hooked on the game after winning a jackpot with her husband.
“We go on the occasional Las Vegas trip and play poker there,” Ingram said.
Rouse and Ingram are the only Dancing with the Locals couple to practice at home; they use Ingram’s house.
“I like that we have the ability to laugh at our mistakes and missteps,” Ingram said. “It’s been fun and challenging.”
What is your favorite song to dance to?
“The song we’re dancing to: ‘Fireball’ by Pitbull,” Lourena Ingram said.
What are you most looking forward to about the performance?
“Getting out there and doing something different,” Ethan Rouse said.
Do you have any prior dance training?
“No,” Ingram said.
“I danced in the Marine Corps.,” Rouse said.
TO SPONSOR ETHAN AND LOURENA: ethan.rouse@baycare.org or lourena.ingram@baycare.org
DANCING WITH THE LOCALS
WHEN: 6:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13
WHERE: John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road
CONTACT: DWTL Chair Jodi Stevens (813) 716-0908