| EVENT REPORT 10.06.09 12:54 PM |
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| A Culinary Education |
| The three-day Latin Food and Wine Festival's second event combined couture gowns with ethic food and cocktails. |
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The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando combined food and fashion at its Roast and Runway event—part of the chamber’s inaugural Latin Food and Wine Festival—for more than 300 guests on Friday at the Red Coconut Club in Universal’s CityWalk. The chamber created the three-day festival, which took place October 1 through 3, to showcase the local Latin community’s culinary culture.
“This event offers the opportunity for many [Orlando residents] to understand the true taste of the community,” said chamber director of events and operations Edward DeAguiler, who organized the festival. “It also gives people an understanding of how Latin cuisine is now a main staple in the U.S. culinary world and helps many businesses in our community reach new potential customers and economically develop their businesses.” |
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PHOTO GALLERY |
 | Models posed with designer Carlos Alberto at the end of the fashion show.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | Rums of Puerto Rico sponsored the three rum bars.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | An ice sculpture with the event's logo sat atop a Latin cheeses display at the entrance to the club.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | The Herb Williams Band performed Latin music throughout the night.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | Money raised from the silent auction will go toward the chamber's business and development programs.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | Miss Universe 2009's official fashion designer, Carlos Alberto, showcased his newest line of couture dresses and gowns.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | Multiple food stations served arroz con pollo, a traditional Latin dish made of rice, chicken, vegetables, and spices.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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 | Two carving stations served freshly cooked pork loin.
Photo: Brandon Dowling for BizBash |
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Throughout the evening, waitstaff served hors d’oeuvres like vegetable tarts, peanut chicken satay with Latin spices, and vegetable empanadas. Various food stations set up around the club’s first floor offered dishes like arroz con pollo (yellow rice with chicken and vegetables), pork loin, fruit, and Latin cheeses. Additionally, each of the venue’s three bars served a variety of Puerto Rican rum cocktails.
Just after 8 p.m., attention turned to the spotlit 20-foot elevated runway in the center of the club for the night’s fashion show. The chamber partnered with Orlando Fashion Week to secure Puerto Rican designer Carlos Alberto—the official designer for the Miss Universe 2009 pageant—to showcase his latest collection of gowns. “He has achieved a great amount of success in Puerto Rico, and this was a way for us to showcase Hispanic culture at large with an international perspective,” said DeAguilera.
The event wrapped up around 11 p.m., an hour later than scheduled, when the club finally had to open to the public.
—Matthew Porter
RELATED TOPICS
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, Orlando Fashion Week, Miss Universe 2009
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