Event Line Up Announced For 2019 St. Croix Food & Wine Experience

CONTACT: DEANNA JAMES, PRESIDENT
(TEL)340.773.9898, (EMAIL) DJAMES@STXFOUNDATION.ORG
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 21, 2019

St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is pleased to announce the event lineup for its annual benefit, the 2019 St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. A series of culinary food and wine events held on the island of St. Croix, U.S.Virgin Islands from Thursday April 4th through Sunday April 7th, 2019. The St. Croix Food & Wine Experience is a celebration of the people, the land, the culture, and the cuisine of St. Croix.

Now in its 12th year, St. Croix Food & Wine Experience (FWE) has a long history of promoting not just St. Croix but, holistic community development through the work of St. Croix Foundation. An outgrowth of the “culinary extravaganza” A Taste of St. Croix, the Food and Wine Experience is today the annual fundraiser for the Foundation and has enabled the 28-year-old organization to advance its mission of encouraging greater philanthropic activity, marshaling resources, and acting as a catalyst to benefit the people of the Virgin Islands.

While A Taste of St. Croix and the FWE have existed as independent entities since 2016, the impact of both events has brought international recognition to St. Croix and has elevated St. Croix’s brand as a bona-fide culinary destination.

Over the past three years, St. Croix Foundation has been committed to ensuring that every event, every project and initiative attached to its name, is perfectly aligned with the organization’s mission and programmatic priorities of community revitalization and holistic community development.

This year, St. Croix Foundation is proud to be taking all necessary steps to truly embody the 2019 theme for the Experience: ‘Feel St. Croix.’ With a commitment to emphasizing St. Croix’s special characteristics, St. Croix Foundation is expanding partnerships with community stalwarts Bohlke International Airways, balter restaurant, and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, as well as forming new friendships with community revitalizers like the Caravelle Hotel and Casino.

As the Foundation seeks to really ground the FWE this year, two of the Experience’s events will serve culinary delights that are 100% locally sourced. And with additional surprises in store, St. Croix Foundation is certain that this annual celebration of the people, land, culture, and food of St. Croix will be like never before.

As with every year, 2019’s weekend event series will consist of an impressive roster of the finest vendors, local chefs, and nationally and regionally acclaimed guest chefs. Chefs will participate in events that range from relaxed to elegant options for foodies and wine connoisseurs alongside guest wine makers and spirit companies that will pair their expertise at each event. The 2019 schedule of events is as follows:

 Thursday, April 4

bond @ balter – A special invitation only reception, an evening of celebrity chefs, exclusive spirits, and delectable appetizers await sponsors, partners, chefs, vintners, and media at balter restaurant and creates the perfect ambiance for active, passionate philanthropists to meet and mingle. 4:30 PM Thursday.

Friday, April 5

Cork & Fork – The cosmopolitan Cork & Fork Dinner returns for 2019!

Always with a renowned chef. Always in a stunning private home. Always the height of elegance and intimacy. Call for location. 6 PM Friday

Sunset BBQ – Our much-loved Sunset BBQ is back as well for 2019! Bring the family out to Frederiksted Pier for the perfect Crucian sunset and finger-licking BBQ treats from some of St. Croix’s finest restaurants and eateries. With live music, a raffle, and plenty of room to roam, there’s something for everyone! 6 PM Friday

Saturday, April 6

Wine in the Warehouse – Let your cup overflow with the spirit of philanthropy and raise a glass (or several!) to community. Enjoy Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits’ fine wines, appetizers, and live music in Bohlke International Airways’ exclusive jet hanger. Grab your passports and prepare your taste buds for a flavor journey that you won’t want to miss, because no matter how far you may fly, on St. Croix, you’re always home. Wine sales available. 6 PM Saturday

Sunday, April 7

Gourmet Vintner Dinner – Join us and one of St. Croix’s favorite culinary artists, award winning Chef Digby Stridiron. This lively and community-centric dining experience pairs fabulous wines with a 5-course meal and includes a live auction. This event is not to be missed! 6 PM Sunday

According to St. Croix Foundation President, Deanna James, “Despite the ever-present consequences of the aftermath of the two Category 5 Hurricanes that ravaged the Virgin Islands over a year ago, the Foundation, with the generous support of corporate partners and individuals, is committed to demonstrating real civic leadership.” James concluded, “We are also proud to report that every sponsorship dollar raised and the revenues received from this event are leveraged many times over and reinvested into the community to support the Foundation’s operations as well as its territory-wide mission of social, economic, and educational transformation.”

SCF is a hardworking organization, and the FWE is the one time each year, when the Organization reaches out and asks for the community’s support! Since its founding in 1990 following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, St. Croix Foundation has been a visionary of social change and community development, working with community partners to challenge the status quo in order to address key priority areas including community and economic development, education reform, public safety, and nonprofit development.

In line with the vision of its founders, (late community stalwarts Mr. Philip Gerard and Mr. Michael Neuburger), the Foundation continues to operate as a place-based hybrid-foundation, serving as a grantmaker as well as a project manager and direct service provider. One of the most important components of SCF’s work is providing fiduciary and fiscal sponsorship services to over 220 grassroots efforts, organizations, and charitable initiatives throughout the Territory. Today, the Foundation has expanded its programmatic portfolio to include providing support to a growing number of St. Croix’s nonprofits through its Nonprofit Consortium, a project which provides capacity building, technical support, and advocacy on the local and national stage. In total, over the past 28 years, the Foundation has been a conduit of $41 million private and public sector dollars invested into the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The St. Croix Food & Wine Experience provides operating support to the Foundation so that it can continue doing all of its community-building work. Made possible by countless chefs, volunteers, corporate citizens, and loyal attendees, the Foundation is especially grateful for the Experience’s Platinum Sponsors including the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, and the Caravelle Hotel and Casino; Gold Sponsors, Crucian Point, William and Kay Cook, and First Bank as well as valued Sponsors Bohlke International Airways, balter Restaurant, the Buccaneer, ProTouch Communications, Braata restaurant, The Virgin Islands Daily News, Crucian Gold, St. Croix Tourism, Tropical Shipping, and CULTIVATE Studio.

Residents and corporate citizens interested in directly supporting work that addresses root causes and approaches rebuilding after the hurricanes through an equitable, community-based lens, are invited to become sponsors of The Experience.

For information about, tickets, events, and sponsorship visit https://www.stxfoodandwine.com or call the St. Croix Foundation office at 340-773-9898.