By Candy Pilar Godoy, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Those craving the best of the best of Rio’s favorite restaurants can now try them all in one night. The International Club Rio (InC) will be presenting Taste of Rio, an annual fundraiser event held at the Clube Federal in Alto Leblon on Friday, May 20th. Set amongst breathtaking views, guests will have the opportunity to wine and dine while competing for exciting prizes and helping local charities.
Launched initially in 2008, Taste of Rio was organized to raise support for Brazilian charitable organizations and to showcase local restaurants.
This year has promised to be bigger and better, with twenty participating restaurants, ten commercial sponsors and countless donations.
“It is so good to see that Taste of Rio 2011 is safely on its way,” said InC member Katharina Germershausen, “I keep my fingers crossed for another wonderful success. The team is doing a fantastic job!”
Well-known restaurants will be offering a smorgasbord of signature dishes specializing in a variety of cuisines. The diverse selection includes everything from Mexican to Japanese and French, as well as local Brazilian.
The wide variety of participating restaurants exposes visitors to what Rio has to offer. “It introduces Rio’s restaurant cuisine to many who may not be familiar with it yet,” said event co-chair Anna Whyte.
While sampling a range of dishes, guests can savor local and imported wines, fruit caipirinhas, popular beer and soda. Food and drink will be available at individual stations, allowing people to browse and select items at leisure.
Yet a lot more than just edible delicacies are in store. Raffle tickets, sold separately, will be drawn throughout the evening. Guests will have a chance to win an array of prizes, including round-trip airline tickets to Europe, a weekend stay at the Windsor Atlântica Hotel, original artwork, jewelry, and more.
All of this is made possible through volunteer work and generous donations. Besides food, drink, and prizes, professional services such as photography and legal assistance have all been contributed free of charge.
InC will use money generated from ticket sales and the raffle to provide funding to multiple charities involved with education, self-esteem issues, and the disabled. They hope to raise R$50,000 with the help of the expected 500 guests.
This is InC’s main social event of 2011, yet services provided do not stop there. Founded in 1965, InC was created to promote friendships, support local charities, and to assist Rio transplants in settling in to a new city.
It is now comprised of approximately 200 members from thirty different nations, including young people, retirees, and families with children. Excursions, lectures, and various activities are planned throughout the year, along with services to connect expatriates to the community with opportunities to volunteer and donate.
Taste of Rio tickets cost R$95 for members and R$120 for non-members, and are available for purchase online at the InC web site. Raffle tickets, sold separately, are also available online.
The event will be held on the night of Friday, May 20th from 8PM to Midnight, at the Clube Federal in Alto Leblon. Be sure to visit www.tasteofrio.blogspot.com for more information.