The Tribune

HANDS For Hunger’s signature fundraiser, Paradise Plates, is already famous for its offerings of delectable food and drink, but this year organisers are serving up more than just fine fare.

A silent auction featuring exclusive items is one of the special highlights of Paradise Plates 2014, which promises to be the biggest and best “night of culinary compassion” yet.

A luxury top-range BMW will be up for bid on September 27 at the event, which being held this year in the Atlantis Grand Ballroom. Also up for grabs are unique vacation stays, art by some of the country’s best-known artists, special events and exciting experiences and adventures.

“We see Paradise Plates as an excellent opportunity to back a great cause. It also gives us a unique opportunity to showcase our brand in what we hope will be a long-term venture,” said Ari Mitchell, BMW sales consultant.

In addition to the BMW vehicle, a sampling of the silent auction items includes a round of golf for four at the exclusive Ocean Club Golf Course; a stay at Baha Mar; a private four-hour charter for six to Rose Island; a Paradise Plates signature Tervis Tumbler set; airfare and accommodations to Portland, Oregon; an original painting by Bahamian ‘Master Artist’ Max Taylor; jewellery by Nadia Campbell, and more.

Up for bid in the live auction will be the ‘Dine Around Nassau Experience’, featuring gift certificates to the island’s best restaurants, including Sapodilla, Sushi Rokkan, Luciano’s of Chicago, Goodfellow Farms and Mojo’s Bar & Restaurant, to name a few.

“Paradise Plates has established itself as one of the must-do events on Nassau’s social fall calendar,” said Erica Wells-Cox, Hands For Hunger interim executive director.

“This year we are expecting 750 guests. We will be featuring 28 chefs and beverage purveyors, and exciting silent and live auctions — all taking place in the larger Grand Ballroom at Atlantis. It promises to be the most successful Paradise Plates to date, which means we can help feed even more Bahamians in need and reach our goal of eradicating unnecessary hunger and reducing food waste in the Bahamas.”

Now in its sixth year, Paradise Plates aims to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in the Bahamas and to raise funds to support the work of Hands For Hunger (H4H). H4H is a humanitarian organisation committed to the elimination of unnecessary hunger and the reduction of food waste in the Bahamas. Based on the most recent figures, 34,000 Bahamians face chronic hunger or food insecurity.

“The good news is that the problem is surmountable. Through the reduction of food waste in our community, unnecessary hunger can be eliminated,” H4H said.

While sampling the best the island has to offer in cuisine, Paradise Plates guests will be entertained by live bands including Ira Storr and The Spank Band, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band and Ordain Moss. Live cooking demonstrations from Food Network affiliated Chef Monica Hutchinson, who will transform a rescued food item into a delectable treat, and a Chinese noodle demonstration by Atlantis will also be a part of the fun-packed evening.

RBC Royal Bank and SkyBahamas both serve as presenting sponsors of Paradise Plates 2014. BMW is the connoisseur sponsor of the event.

Tickets are on sale now for $175 per person and can be purchased online at www.handsforhunger.org or by cash or cheque at the Hands For Hunger office in the New Providence Community Centre, and Bahamas Vision Centre in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

Anna Bancroft, communications manager of H4H, said: “Given the calibre of this year’s food and beverage participants, phenomenal auction items, and the generous support from event sponsors and H4H partners, Paradise Plates in its sixth year is sure to amaze.”