On Thursday 22nd February 100 guests enjoyed a fabulous Dinner prepared by two outstanding Chefs – Mark Alvarez and Nick Dellinger at beautiful Straw Hat Restaurant on Meads Bay, Anguilla – all proceeds from the event went to benefit the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club (AYSC) a not for profit organization that has taught over 320 Anguillian children and young adults sailing and other important life skills since 2006.
100 locals, residents and visitors paid $100 a ticket for an exceptional meal with the five star service people have come to expect from Straw Hat – which was recently recognized by Fodor’s as one of the top 10 in the Caribbean. The special dinner took the form a 4 course extravaganza of local ingredients prepared by the two chef’s in their own signature style. The innovative format meant that guests enjoyed the same ingredients prepared in two different ways – the courses were: local Swordfish and Arugula; Mahi Mahi and Pork Belly, Striploin and Anguilla Lobster and to finish Banana’s and Caramel. Menu items included: Hendricks Gin & Citrus Cured Swordfish, Grilled Striploin and Lobster Wellington and Chocolate Beignets, Caramelized Banana Gelato, Coconut Custard Profiterole.
Anne and Peter Parles the owners of Straw Hat donated exclusive use of the Restaurant and its staff for the evening as well as bringing former Straw Hat Chef Marc Alvarez back to Anguilla to cook alongside their resident Chef Nick Dellinger. They wanted to assist the AYSC in raising the much needed funds to keep the program vibrant and accessible to all the children of Anguilla because “The AYSC has had an incredible impact on us. Seventeen years ago we moved to Anguilla and met a very special little boy, Kendal Richardson who became a part of our family. Kenny grew up sailing with the AYSC and this past fall Kenny was accepted to Roger Williams University, Bristol Rhode Island where he landed a coveted spot on the # 4 nationally ranked sailing team. Kenny preformed very well over the fall racing season proving the sailing skills learned at the AYSC can translate anywhere.”
In his welcome speech Chairman of the AYSC Donald Curtis described the work of the Association and how it’s “policy of not refusing any child who wants to sail has meant a large number of partial and full scholarships to local children”. He explained how learning to sail was not just a fun activity but also a way to teach the students incredibly important life skills like responsibility, patience, teamwork and pride in their selves and their team mates and he added “We also give them the opportunity to forge new futures and explore horizons they never dreamed possible”
The AYSC needs to raise at least $54,000.00 a year to employ a full time instructor Ms Annette Hibbert (who provides sailing lessons on weekday afternoons, weekends and holidays all year round), to maintain and update its fleet of 21 boats, to send young athletes to compete in at least four international regattas a year to hone their racing skills and to organize the Anguilla Regatta. The $14,000.00 raised will make a significant and necessary contribution to the organizations finances.
Mr Curtis also went onto thank all who contributed to the event including Sally Randall, Blythe and Dan Brown, Liz and Todd Tiefenthaler, Bonnie and Ira Bloom, Calypso Charters, Merchants Market, Nathalie Le Senechal of Grands Vin de France and Edouard Cossy of De Castellane Champagnes who provided a Champagne tasting for the guests and the many others who gave generously making the event a huge success. He thanked his fellow board members Paul Carmichael, Fred Porter, Laurie Gumbs and Gareth Orchard as well as Deb Vos, Catherine Orchard, Gayle Enzel, Janice Evoy his own wife Fiona for their hard work and commitment and finished by saying: “Most importantly I would like to thank Peter and Anne and the wonderful Straw Hat Staff who have been amazing in their support and their generosity.”
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
