Jan. 10, 2005 –– The cuisines of Thailand, India and Asia will be featured at tsunami relief fund-raiser Saturday at the Bolongo Bay Beach House restaurant.
The event, sponsored by the local American Red Cross chapter and the India Association of the Virgin Islands, starts at 7 p.m. with a cocktail reception, a silent auction, live music with Don Herbert on the steel pan, and a raffle.
And food –– a selection of eclectic and exotic food will be set up in three stations featuring dishes from Asia, India and Thailand. From India selections include, Chicken tandoori or Chicken makanini with chutneys and relishes; from Asia, vegetable spring rolls, duck pot stickers cooked to order, and lobster egg foo young; and from Thailand, Shrimp phad thai, crispy yellowtail snapper and beef noodle salad. And to finish it off, a tropical fresh fruit fondu station accompanied by fortune cookies.
Kate Bird, Bolongo special-events manager, said Monday that donations for the raffle and auction are pouring in almost faster than they can be accounted for. "The response from the community has been huge, really great," Bird said. "We're overwhelmed with e-mails and phone calls."
Grand prize for the raffle is a five-night stay in a three-bedroom villa at the Westin St. John. Other prizes include day sails and gift certificates at restaurants.
Silent auction items include a two-carat diamond bracelet from Kalssique Jewelers and bottle of Remy Martin Louis X111 cognac in a Baccarat crystal decanter from Sugar Estate Distributing, which is also donating Piper Heidseick Brut NV Champagne for the welcoming cocktail and liquor for the cash bar. Bird said not only have items been donated, but many people have donated their time and services. "Coordinating this event reminds me of how fortunate I am to live here," she said.
Among those donating services are Comprehensive Security, St. Thomas Graphics and radio stations Pirate Radio, WSTA, The Buzz, WVWI Radio One, Jamz and Kiss. Merchants Market, Quality Food, AA Supplies and Plaza Extra have donated food.
Tickets are $100. They are available at the door, or by calling 775-1800, ext. 2510. Raffle tickets are $10 or a book of 11 for $100.
The Bolongo staff is donating its time. All proceeds from the event go to the Tsunami Relief Fund of the American Red Cross and the Oxfam American International to assist in their relief efforts.
