See and Taste Belize 2017 Fundraiser Attended By Hundreds.
The See and Taste Belize fundraising event, which was hosted by the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Mrs. Kim Simplis, and by the Consulate of Belize in Florida and its partners, BTB, BELTRAIDE and NICH, was attended by hundreds of people. Mrs. Janine Sylvestre, Hon. Consul General of Belize in Florida said when interviewed about the event, “I’m very happy with the turn out of people attending.
The joy of hosting this event is seeing everyone enjoy themselves while celebrating Belize and all the wonderful things they love and miss about it. Belizeans have so much talent and we have so much to offer and its nice to be able to share this with others.” The event, which was a fundraiser for the Inspiration Center in Belize that helps disabled children free of charge and it is anticipated that the event raised over $80,000.00 US for this cause.
The event featured Belizean Chefs and Artists who came from Belize to share their culinary and artistic talents. Also participating were export ready food and art vendors. The highlight of the event, no doubt was the Garifuna Collective, from Dangriga in Belize who perform around the world. All who came had the rare opportunity to hear first hand their tunes (including songs by the iconic and late Andy Palacio who started the band) and dance the afternoon away while sampling traditional Belizean dishes like Sere, Panades, Rice and Beans with a Belikin or Belizean Coke in hand. The venue for the event was the Kovens Center at Florida International University North Campus in Miami, Florida.
The location was beautiful with a view of Biscayne Bay and the weather was a clear and sunny “Belize” day. Along with the Special Envoy for Womena and children, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, visitors also had the chance to spend time with the Governnor General of Belize, Sir Colivile Young, the Deputy Prime Minister, Honorable Patrick Faber and the Minister of Tourism, Honorable Manuel Heredia. Visitors came from all over the U.S. to be a part of this momentous occasion.
The event began at 10 a.m. and finished at 6 p.m. and was followed by “Bite of Belize” a fundraising reception hosted by Turtle Inn, the Family Coppola Hideaways, featuring their Chef, Irwin Mai at the beautiful home of Natasha Dubarry on the Venetian Island of Miami Beach. Martin Krediet, General Manager of Turtle Inn hosted this spectacular reception, also rasing thousands for the Inspiration Center.
