ReMARCable Surf & Turf Fundraiser

ReMARCable Surf & Turf Fundraiser - A plate of food - Chophouse restaurant

The ReMARCable Surf and Turf fundraiser is taking place May 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. at two different and unique Key West venues to support the Monroe Association for ReMARCable Citizens (MARC) program. MARC provides life services for Monroe County’s Adult developmentally and intellectually disabled residents. 

The event will begin at the Gardens Hotel, 526 Angela Street, where attendees will enjoy the beautiful garden setting, appetizers provided by Margaritaville Resort & Marina, as well as the hotel’s cash bar if desired. At 7 p.m., guests will take a short 3 minute walk, to Free School Lane (for longtime residents this used to be the entrance to Nancy’s Secret Garden) to the Secret Villas of Key West, owned by Mr. Heslin. Surf and turf tapas prepared by top chefs in the Florida Keys will be served, as well as complimentary wines from BreakThru Beverage. Music at the Gardens will be provided by local Pianist and entertainer Mr. Michal D. Robinson and Harpist Steve Allerton will play at the Secret Garden Villas venue.

Representing six wonderful restaurants in town, each chef will present either a seafood or meat offering showing their different styles of culinary talents. Chef Steven Belie, the newest addition to Little Palm Island’s Resort & Spa who responsible for menu development and execution as well involved with much of the restaurant’s daily operation, will be presenting a Cured Salmon Terrine with Mushroom Duxelle, Boursin Gelee, Toasted Pumpernickel, Pickled Mushrooms and Saffron Garlic Aioli.  On the Turf side of the event the Ocean Key’s Hot Tin Roof Executive Chef Scott Mauer is preparing Dijon and Rosemary Grilled Colorado Lamb Rack with Yukon Potato Silk and Rosemary Smoke. Mangoes Executive Chef Kathleen Sefeik will bring her seafood Paella to the event, featuring Lobster, Shrimp, Fish, Clams, Crisp Sugar Snap Peas and Roasted Tomato Relish. Kathleen is excited about cooking and the Mangoes’ staff are glad to have her on board.  Father and son team Dan and Jack Dingeman are the owners and operators of Mangoes Restaurant, Key West. Since reopening the restaurant last October, Mangoes has taken on not just a fresh look, but also outlook. Dan and Jack whom both grew up with a special needs brother have always been involved with local outreach related to bettering the lives of special needs individuals. Prior to Key West Jack was a Job Placement Specialist and coach at an adult Work Center in Michigan.  A both strong and natural partnership to the Marc House of Key West has since developed now that Mangoes is back and open for business.

David Zingg has worked in many wonderful Key West dining establishments and is now the Executive Chef at the Blue Macaw located at 804 White Street. Ahi Sashimi w/Guava Teriyaki, Arugula Salad and Wasabi vinaigrette with citrus pickled ginger will be his presentation for the evening. 

Austin Klein, (Chef at Santiago’s Bodega), known for his skill of bringing amazing flavors to each of his tapas dishes, will bring his wonderful tapas style culinary talents to the event as well. Santiago’s Bodega has also supported the MARC fundraiser Master Chef classic and always bring amazing food to whatever event he is involved with.

The sixth chef is Henry Christian of 2 Cents, who recently has added some amazing additions to the already well loved menu, known for some eclectic dishes not often seen on menus in Key West and is focused on bringing local produce into his wonderful creations. .

“We have been extremely blessed to have these fine Chefs and restaurants step up and help our MARC program,” said MARC Executive Director Diana Flenard. “This evening is going to be amazing and we look forward to a wonderful evening.” 

Tickets are $150 per person or $250 per couple and can be purchased at www.thekeywest theater.com or 305-985-0433. For more information contact Gordon Ross at 305-294-9526ext. 25. .

 

Photos: Little Palm Islands Executive Chef  Stephen Belie and Mangoes’ Executive Chef Katherin Sefcif, will join the Executive Chefs Austin Klein from Santiago’s Bodega, Scott Mauer of Hot Tin Roof, David Zingg from the Blue Macaw and Henry Christian of 2 Cents at the May 8th Surf & Turf fundraiser to benefit the MARC program. Only 50 tickets will be on sale through the Key West theater online box office or call Gordon Ross at 305-294-9526 ext. 25 with credit card information.