With a team of the island’s leading chefs set to titillate appetites and one of St. Martin/St. Maarten’s top bands on the entertainment line-up, the fifth annual Childfest Gala fundraising dinner this Saturday evening promises to be a memorable night of fine dining and great entertainment for a good cause.
The gala dinner, which will be held at Princess Port De Plaisance Pavilion starts with cocktails at 7:00pm. Barbara Warren will be on hand as fashion police and Michael Ferrier and Jeffrey Sochrin will be the MCs for the night. Patrons can reserve their tickets and businesses can reserve their tables by contacting any of Childfest Foundation Board members or by contacting Port de Plaisance (PdP) at tel: 544-5226 or 544-5222.
The Family Fun Day will be held on the PdP property on Sunday, May 15 from 10:00am – 7:00pm. Entrance is free and a small cost is attached to the activities.
In addition to the Gala Dinner and Family Fun Day, patrons can also get a chance to win some great prizes in the Super Childfest Raffle. First prize is a cruise for a family of four persons along with four airline tickets; second prize is a one week stay in a two-bedroom suite in Orlando, Florida USA along with two airline tickets and third prize is a one-week stay in a two bedroom suite in Panama. The raffle will be drawn on stage at the Childfest Family Fun Day on Sunday, May 15 at 6:00pm. Tickets are available from any Childfest Foundation member, at all Childfest events and at PdP.
Gala dinner
Reputed restaurateur Chef Dino Jagtiani from Temptation and Rare restaurants is again coordinating the gala dinner. He is working with Chef Leslie Martina of Big Fish Restaurant; Benjamin Laurent of Bacchus, Iwan Pennings of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Floris van Noort of Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort.
This year’s dinner will feature two menus: one for meat lovers and the other for vegetarians.
The first course will feature mixed green salad with five different lettuces prepared by Laurent. Van Noort will whip up the second course comprising smoked salmon terrine with fresh dill, soft curry and salmon eggs. The vegetarian option will be a terrine of vegetables with red pepper coulis, and basil crème.
The main course will be red wine braised veal osso bucco with saffron scented orzo pasta, spring vegetables, and lemon peel-parsley gremolata prepared by Jagtiani. The vegetarian option is Saffron Orzo with grilled vegetables, Parmigianino, and fresh basil cress prepared by Martina. The dessert: a homemade Rote Grütze, freshly prepared crème patisserie, and mini profiteroles will be prepared by Pennings.
Jagtiani said patrons will be taken on a culinary adventure of great taste and surprises. Some 400 persons are being catered to.
Entertainment
Patrons should walk with their dancing shoes as the entertainment line-up for the gala dinner promises to be electrifying. The versatile Youth Waves band is the main entertainer for the night. They will perform at the end of the gala dinner.
Iowa-based Russian pianist Marcelina Turcanu as well as the four children of Katsiaryna and Sudi Özkan - Princess Katherina, Sudi Han, Royal and King - will also provide some brief piano entertainment during the evening to get patrons warmed up.
Youth Waves Manager and keyboardist Alex Piper said patrons can expect “the best of Youth Waves.”
Youth Waves band comprises the entertaining Betty Nisbeth, Lyndon Connor and Christine Gordon as lead singers; Angel Richardson on base; Sylvere Mingau on drums and Patricio Piper as lead singer and guitar player. The band blends Afro-Caribbean sounds of Zouk, Salsa, Soca, Kompa and Reggae and is known as one of the most versatile bands in this part of the region.
The band will play some of its classical hits as well as its latest carnival jams.
Fun Day
The fun-filled Family Fun Day is packed with activities for the entire family including the very popular singing and dancing competitions Childfest Star and Childfest in Motion. There will also be food representing St. Maarten’s cultural diversity, games and activities for everyone at a price that won’t burn a hole in your pockets.
Activities will include Ford Mustang, Hummer, Harley Davidson,Quads and Pony rides; Jumping castles and trampolines; Children’s TV characters; Clay sculpting; Arts and craft activities; Cupcakes decorating; T-shirt, face and rock painting; Airbrush tattoo; Cupcake decoration Dunk tank; Sculpting; Kite flying; Applying Henna (Mehendi) and Princess Parlour - Little Princess Parlour (where girls can get makeovers).
Games will include Jumping in the sack race; Lime in the spoon race; Chicken race; Crab race
Pie throwing; Ring the bottles; Pie throwing competition; Pop the water balloons; Pin the donkey
Board games and Shoot the basketball.
Tickets for all events and other enquiries can be obtained from any Childfest Board member or from PdP at tel: 544-5226 or 544-5222.