The second annual St. Jude Popup Dinner Party for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raised a record $105,000 for kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Event chairs Julian and Tatiana Casanova hosted more than 120 guests at the W Fort Lauderdale.
The event began with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner by Chef Norman Van Aken, the only Florida chef included on the James Beard Foundation’s list of Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America and a 2016 MenuMasters Award winner.
Signature dishes included coffee-rubbed roasted beef tenderloin with a potato “torta,” wild mushrooms, pearl onions and Mencia reduction; pecan chocolate caramel tarts with coffee ice cream; and premium wines from Bodegas Carrau, Bodegas San Bernandino, Valtea and Italian Fashion Rose Sparkling Collection.
The party also included live and silent auctions, a speaker from a patient’s family, dancing and the St. Jude ABC’s of Cancer display. It was created by St. Jude patients and offers 26 views of living with cancer and the lessons learned from that journey.
“My husband and I are honored to be involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases,” says Tatiana. “Thanks to our generous guests, events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.” O
For more information, call 305-537-1429 or visit stjude.org.
Photo by Barbie