Local chef Alex Ewald of La Tapa, delights event-goers with her paella and fresh mozzarella with tomatoes and basil, at last year’s event,
Get ready for a night of culinary delights and tantalizing libations from about 20 of Love City’s hottest restaurants and bars all under one roof.
The Rotary Club of St. John is hosting its annual Flavors fundraiser on Friday, October 28, at the Westin Resort and Villas. The event is the club’s premier fundraiser and supports Rotary’s scholarship program which helps local students attend schools of higher education.
“This is our Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser of the year and is dedicated to college scholarships for high school graduating St. John students,” said St. John Rotary Club president Bruce Munro. “We award scholarships of $12,500 to local students going to college to help offset tuition.”
This year Flavors will once again take over two ballrooms at the Westin; meaning attendees will not have to contend with the October heat and mosquitoes.
Rotary officials expect about 20 restaurants to take part in the night and vie for the coveted slate of award-winning appetizers, bar food, entrees, dessert and beverages. One winner in each category will be determined by a secret panel of judges and one over-all winner will be chosen by the crowd.
“People should mark their calendars for Flavors,” said Rotary Club of St. John officer Bob Schlessinger. “It’s a great chance to experience all of the food from all of the different restaurants and caterers who will be there and to try the different wines which will be available as well.”
The club usually hosts Flavors in November, but bumped up the date this fall and is taking advantage of the new late-October scheduling. For the first time this year, Rotary members are encouraging attendees to get into the ghoulish fun early by showing up decked out in costume.
“The theme is Adult Halloween Party and we hope attendees come in costumes or island fancy,” said Munro. “It’s really their choice.”
Whatever one wears, the fun kicks off at 6 p.m. with cocktail hour and the chance to view the night’s silent auction items. Rotary officials are still accepting donations for the auction and are hoping to attract additional volunteers to ensure the night’s success.
After tasting the chefs’ creations and sipping libations from the island’s top mixologists, guests will be entertained by the popular local band Ish, set to take the ballroom stage from 9 to 11 p.m.
Tickets for Flavors are $95 in advance; $100 at the door and $75 for people with food handlers’ cards. Volunteers, who are asked to give about two or three hours of their time, can buy tickets for $45.
“It’s always a lot of fun and it’s a great cause,” Schlessinger said about Flavors. “All of the money we raise goes to the scholarship fund. It’s also a great social event and a chance to see everyone before the season gets too busy.”
Anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation should contact Rotary members Munro at 776-6674, Schlessinger at 779-4118, BJ Harris at 693-8485 or Joan Birmingham at 779-4228.