Sunday, September 29, 2024
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sanders Beach – Corinne Jones Resource Center
913 S I St, Pensacola, FL 32502
Join us for a unique celebration of cultural presentations,
elegant dinner, drinks and dancing
Presented by
Latino Media Gulf Coast, Inc. | La Costa Latina Newspaper
assisted by Krewe de Karnaval
| Event Organizer Grace Resendez McCaffery President Latino Media Gulf Coast, Inc. La Costa Newspaper Hispanic Resource Center of Northwest Florida |
 |
|
|
|
| Special Guest Tito Puente, Jr Bandleader, Percussionist, Songwriter and Producer |
 |
| Emcee Michael Aldahondo Singer/Songwriter and Pensacola Children’s Chorus Director of Community Programs |
 |
| Chef Manuel Rodriguez Corporate Director of Food & Beverage for Innisfree Hotels |
 |
| Pastry Chef Agustin Rodriguez |
 |
| Performances By: | ||
| Mariachi Moderno Internacional | Al Alvarado | Golpe Latino |
 |
 |
 |
| Vanessa Mills | Grupo Folklorico Mitotiani | Amid Montelongo |
 |
 |
 |
| Presentation by Director, Alfie Martin |
PensaTango | Music by DJ Vasco |
 |
 |
 |
MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS TO OUR SPONSORS:
University of West Florida | Ramirez Hormaza Law Group | Mikevicius Law
Community Health of Northwest Florida | Florida Blue| Seanger Theatre Pensacola
Gulf Coast Minority Chamber of Commerce
Dinner Menu:
APPETIZER & SALAD: Salad made with fresh frisee, arugula, yellow and red beets, goat cheese, caramelized nuts, toy box tomatoes, citrus vinaigrette accompanied with a fried cheese arepa.
MAIN COURSE: Tri-tip Steak infused 24-hours with herb wine butter marinade, Peruvian chicken cooked on charcoal and with spicy and roasted garlic cilantro sauce, saffron rice, season root vegetables cooked with lemon parmesan infused olive oil, golden brown fried sweet plantain with brown butter
DESSERT: Passion fruit flan, 4-leches cake, Cuban coffee truffles
Photos from 2023 Gala
Photos from 2022 Gala
TITO PUENTE, JR.: Tito Puente Jr. continues to entertain audiences and celebrate the life and music of his father, legendary percussionist, Tito Puente. While Puente continues to performs at venues around the world, television shows and recording studios he will speak at our Hispanic Heritage Gala about his experience growing up surrounded by Latino Legends such as his father, Celia Cruz and others.
MICHAEL ALDAHONDO: Is a singer and songwriter and director of community programs at the Pensacola Children’s Chorus. Aldahondo is a lifelong entertainer in Pensacola known for his Latin music performances in his youth and vocalist and keyboardist for Nobius. With a repertoire blend of Soul, Funk, Jazz, Pop, and R&B, Nobius has been voted “Best Wedding Band” in Pensacola multiple times.
MANUEL RODRIGUEZ: Manuel Rodriguez is an award-winning chef who has cooked for presidents, royalty, and celebrities. He brings two decades of culinary talent and experience to his role as Corporate Director of Food & Beverage for Innisfree Hotels.
Originally hailing from Washington, D.C., Rodriguez moved to Florida in 2020 to direct food and beverage operations at Innisfree’s SpringHill Suites in Panama City Beach, one of the country’s most popular oceanside destinations. The classically trained chef quickly showed that his organizational skills, managerial talents, and passion for culinary excellence were worthy of a much bigger assignment. In 2021, Innisfree promoted Rodriguez to his current role, overseeing all dining and drinking experiences at the company’s Gulf Coast properties in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
Rodriguez, who is bilingual in English and Spanish, has a deep knowledge of South American, Caribbean, Italian, Greek, Spanish, and American cuisines, allowing him to incorporate local ingredients and flavors into exciting and delicious dining concepts at more than two dozen Innisfree properties.
Before joining the Innisfree family, Rodriguez was a sought-after executive chef and private caterer in the nation’s capital. His work has earned a slew of impressive awards and accolades, including Regional Chef of the Year, the Embassy Chef Challenge People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice Awards, and Top Latin American Restaurants in D.C. In his free time, Rodriguez enjoys golfing, fishing, giving back to his community, and being with his family.
Agustin Rodriguez: Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Agustin has more than 20 years of experience in the pastry industry. He has worked in cities that include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NY, Los Angeles California, Puerto Rico and now in beautiful Pensacola Florida. He says his passions are God first, family time, giving back to the community to those less fortunate, beach time and of course desserts. He is married to his business partner, Nicole
