Friday, July 17, 2009

"Not Your Typical Banquet Anymore!"

Click Here to Donate

For Immediate Release

Contact: Lydia Camarillo, 323-343-9299 or 210-849-4496

Homegirl Café Wins First Annual “Sabor de las Americas” Competition

SVREP 35 th Anniversary Raises $100,000 in 35 th Anniversary Celebration

Los Angeles, Ca (July 22, 2009) The Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project (SVREP) announced Homegirl Café and Chef Patricia Zarate winners of “El Premio Cua” during the first annual Experiencia Sabor de las Americas/Taste of the Americas Experience on July 17, 2009.

The Experiencia Sabor de las Americas/Taste of the Americas Experience was featured at the SVREP’s 35 th anniversary celebration. Over 300 hundred guests were treated to cuisine from different parts of Latin America.

The event included a competitive food competition highlighting distinct cuisines of Latin America origin/inspiration including Contemporary Caribbean, Southern Mexican, Popular Salvadoran, Yucatan, and Health Mexican fusion. Five LA area restaurants battled it out to create the one-of-a-kind winning menu.

The contest finalists were selected from a pool of twenty competitors that included Homegirl Café, Chichen Itza, Moles la Tia, Mi Querido Pulgarcito and Cha Cha Cha. The winner was judged on the best food and presentation by a panel of celebrity judges. Celebrity judges included former LA Dodger Rudy Law, Venezuelan actress Jennifer Behrens, Filmmaker Sergio Arau, LA urbanist-artist Diego Cardoso.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was also present to commemorate SVREP’s 35 th Anniversary celebration. “I’m so proud of SVREP’s continued commitment to engage the Latino community into civic participation,” the Mayor said.

The winner of the food competition earned “El Premio Cua” or “Cua” Prize which means “Cook” in Nauhuatl the language of Mexico’s Aztec Indians, a $1,000.00 grand prize, and the chance to defend the title next year.

Held at the historical Union Station, the event also included Tequila from Aguirre Tequila Imports and wine from the Los Angeles San Antonio Winery. Major sponsors of the “Taste” included Altamed, PG&E, Entravision, LA Dodgers, Wells Fargo, Univision, Phrma, Armando Garbay Companies, Union Bank, RC Fontis, Supervisor Gloria Molina, Delaware North, and Cuba Travel Services.

“We are thrilled to celebrate another milestone in our organization’s history—and ready to continue our work to increase the civic participation of Latinos in the United States. As the Latino community grows we are also pleased to take part in showcasing some of the best in local Latin American cuisine,” said Antonio Gonzalez, President of SVREP.

SVREP's mission is to empower Latinos and other minorities by increasing their participation in the American democratic process. We do this by strengthening the capacity, experience and skills of Latino leaders, networks, and organizations through programs that consistently train, organize, finance, develop, expand and mobilize Latino leaders and voters around an agenda that reflects their values.

In 2008, SVREP and its allies helped raise Latino voting to record highs with more than 12 million registered and more than 10 million casting votes.

Thus, SVREP's motto: "Su Voto Es Su Voz" (Your Vote is Your Voice).

PS - Here are some of pictures from the Event!

 

To view all the event pictures, click on the link below!

07-17-09, Arriba ! SVREP 35th Anniversary Event