The Tribune

THIS weekend’s Paradise Plates event is being billed as a grand celebration of one million meals delivered by Hands For Hunger since its inception, eight years ago.

The event will showcase a lavish array of gourmet food prepared by premier chefs from new and established restaurants in Nassau, the Family Islands and Miami, along with vintners, brewers and beverage purveyors who will create signature cocktails for event guests. Paradise Plates also includes a raffle, with prizes including JetBlue tickets and private sushi classes, as well as live entertainment and spectacular surprises.

This year’s fundraiser - scheduled for Saturday, October 1, from 7pm-11pm in the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom - will feature 35 restaurants and beverage purveyors, including some of the newest and hottest restaurants in Nassau. Guests will have the opportunity to sample signature dishes from Louis & Steen’s, Cassava Grille, The Galley, Pop Stop and Summer Palace, in addition to experiencing the culinary creations of chefs outside of Nassau - 1648, Eleuthera; Xuma’s, Highbourne Cay; and Flavour Mama, Miami.

Hands For Hunger has also brought back some of the most popular participants from previous years, including Nobu, Mahagony House, John Watling’s, Young’s Fine Wine, and Le Petit Gourmet. Restaurants presenting at Paradise Plates for the first time include Sapodilla, Drifters and One & Only Ocean Club.

“Paradise Plates’ splendour is the result of an outstanding network of sponsors; food and beverage suppliers; auction donors; entertainers; and volunteers that join together to make the event a success. Every contribution helps put meals on the table for individuals that would have otherwise gone without,” said Zeleka Knowles, executive director, Hands For Hunger.

All proceeds from the event benefit Hands For Hunger, the non-profit humanitarian organisation committed to the elimination of unnecessary hunger and the reduction of food waste throughout New Providence. Since the organisation’s inception in 2008, Hands For Hunger has provided one million meals to members of the community facing hunger and food insecurity through its food rescue programme that currently serves 14 recipient outreach agencies.

The Island Luck Cares Foundation continues their commitment to Hands For Hunger as a presenting sponsor for the second year. They are joined by JetBlue and NewCo2015, both of which are also presenting sponsors.

Diana Sands, public relations manager of NewCo2015, said: “NewCo2015 Limited has partnered with Hands for Hunger in the fight to eliminate hunger in the Bahamas. We are committed to making a difference in the community in which we operate and believe that no one should ever go hungry.”

JetBlue has forged a strong partnership with Hands For Hunger through not only sponsorship, but also through the regular and enthusiastic volunteering of its staff and by donating the grand prize for the raffle - four tickets to anywhere in the world that JetBlue flies. General Manager Alan Sweeting served as the Hands For Hunger ambassador for February.

Other sponsoring partners include: Atlantis; Creative Relations; Wildflowers Events and Occasions; and Zamar, each of which offer in-kind donations that help create the spectacular evening.

Hands For Hunger is a registered not-for-profit Bahamian charity led by a volunteer board of directors, a small staff and fuelled by the efforts of over 600 dedicated volunteers annually. The organisation depends on the success of its signature fundraiser, Paradise Plates, through the dedication of corporate partners, community/civic groups and the generosity of the Bahamian community. Hands For Hunger seeks to achieve its mission until no one goes hungry.

Tickets for Paradise Plates can be purchased online at www.handsforhunger.org or in person at the Hands For Hunger office in The New Providence Community Centre, and Bahamas Vision Centre in The Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

For more information call 327-1660 or send an email to tickets@handsforhunger.org.