Local restaurants, chefs plan various fundraisers
Puerto Rico Relief Fundraiser
At Rafiki Tiki, Thursday, 3-10 p.m.
This casual waterfront spot will host a Puerto Rican buffet to raise funds for storm victims. They will donate 20 percent of the meal proceeds to the “Unidos Por Puerto Rico” charity, and 100 percent of the funds collected in a silent auction.
The restaurant also is collecting food and other essentials (baby wipes, formula, water, insect repellent, batteries, blankets, etc.)
The all-you-can-eat buffet costs $35 per person and includes two drinks and live music. Reservations are recommended.
Rafiki Tiki: at the Riviera Marina, 190 E. 13th St., Riviera Beach; 561-812-2240
Puerto Rico in My Heart At Bistro Ten Zero One, Oct. 26, 7 to 10 p.m.
From his kitchen at Bistro Ten Zero One at the West Palm Beach Marriott, Chef Christian Quiñones could feel the winds of Hurricane Maria as it slammed into his homeland. He was nowhere near Puerto Rico, but his heart was on the island, where his parents and young daughter live.
He calls it “miraculous” that he could speak to his mother as Maria’s winds were picking up and that he could hear her voice again after a few days of silence. But communicating with his daughter was more difficult. He sent pleas and messages to the island via friends and social media, hoping someone could give him a post-storm update on his daughter.
Then came a glimmer of good news via text from a friend: “I saw your daughter playing on the grass. She looks good, smiling as always.”
There’s a happy ending here: Quiñones was able to bring his little girl to Florida.
Unfortunately for those who remain on the island without power and with limited access to food and drinking water, there have been few such tidy conclusions.
For them, Quiñones is organizing a hurricane relief grand tasting event called “Puerto Rico in My Heart.” For the event, the chef has enlisted Meat Market chef/ co-owner Sean Brasel (who has a Meat Market location in San Juan), chef Rafael Velazquez (executive chef at Starr Restaurant Group) and other prominent South Florida chefs.
Tickets for the all-inclusive event (food, drinks, live music) are $50 in advance, $60 at the door. All funds raised will go to the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce’s Fiesta de Pueblo Disaster Relief Fund. For tickets, visit http://bit.ly/puertoricoinmyheart.
Bistro Ten Zero One: at the West Palm Marriott, 1001 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 561-833-1234
Salute 2 Puerto Rico At Salute Market, Nov. 3, 5 to 8 p.m.
This Palm Beach Gardens restaurant and bar is partnering with the “House Our Heroes” charity to host an evening of appetizers and cocktails to help raise funds for Puerto Rico’s needy.
The charity will work with the county’s Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to help relocate and house veterans and families from the island to Florida.
The ticket price, $25 in advance and $35 at the door, buys one cocktail and appetizers (plus D J-spun tunes). For tickets, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Salute Market: 5530 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561-425-5651