The Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) and the Vallarta Botanical Gardens are pleased to announce the 2012 Children of the Refugio Cookbook that is set to be published in December 2011. Vallarta Chef Seth J. Cloutman will edit the cookbook which will be a collection of recipes from restaurants, as well as community members. All profits from the sale of this publication will be split between RISE and the Gardens and will be available throughout the year at participating businesses.
“This project is about giving these children the opportunity to thrive,” said Cloutman. “We provide housing, medical, food, private education, university if they want it, clothing, etc. But the story is also about the generosity of the food and beverage community. There are so many un-named names involved.”
Portraits of the Children of RISE, taken at the Botanical Gardens, will be interspersed with recipes and photos of the dishes. Vallarta photographer, Paul van Vleck, has donated the children’s portraits. Rebecca Texier, a New York City based photographer, has donated food shots. Henry Baker, a Washington DC based graphic designer has donated the design and layout of this 60 page, full color glossy collection.
Restaurants already signed on for the project include Trio, Vitea, No Way Jose, Café des Artistes, River Café, No Way Jose, Trattoria Michel and many more anticipated. Each of the featured restaurants will also be participating in the February 11, 2012 annual RISE for Hope fundraiser.
To submit a recipe:
Members of the community who wish to have their recipe included in this lasting collection are invited to make a tax-deductible contribution to either the U.S. or Canadian Foundations, Children’s Shelter of Hope, in the amount of $100 US/Canadian. Two recipes must be submitted by October 25, 2011 to Fernando@foodbyseth.com. Each recipe will be tested by Cloutman and the chosen dish will be photographed and included in the cookbook.
To make a donation:
U.S. Foundation: http://www.childrens-shelter-of-hope-foundation.org
Canadian Foundation: http://www.ccshf.ca
Local information is also available by calling the Food by Seth office in Puerto Vallarta at 222 8968.
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) is a non-profit shelter for babies and children under the age of 18 who have been turned over by DIF, a Mexican government social services organization that protects the rights of children. RISE opened its doors in March 2001. Some of these beautiful children come from unbearable situations having been abused, neglected, or simply abandoned. Some have been transferred from other facilities because of overcrowding, and many have been in institutions for most of their young lives. http://vallartachildrenshelter.org/
The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens is a non-profit educational research center and pleasure garden high in the glorious Sierra Madre Mountains. Founded in 2004 and opened to the public in 2005, the mission of the Gardens is to build Mexico’s greatest botanical garden and is dedicated to the research and education of plant life, as well as showing the public all the beauty that nature has to offer. http://www.vallartabotanicalgardensac.org/