Imagine spending an evening the way the jet set does: dressing in your best night-on-the town garb, gathering with a dozen friends at a sumptuous Indian Creek Island home for a cocktail reception and then traveling by chauffeured limousine to a first class restaurant where you will be welcomed by the chef, given special seating and treated to a superb, multi-course meal prepared especially for you and your companions. Your lavish evening concludes with a return limo trip and the presentation of a VIP gift bag filled with all sorts of delights and surprises.
Sound good? Wait it gets even better. Your fabulous night will undoubtedly provide you and your friends with an entertaining experience and great memories, but far more importantly, it will have a lasting effect that could make a positive difference in the lives of thousands of strangers. Driven to Dine is the name of this fundraising event that benefits the world renowned Florida Heart Research Institute, supporting some of the worlds top researchers and physicians as they continue their mission to stop the number one preventable cause of death in this country and many others. Driven to Dine takes place on Saturday, April 28, 2007 and is the kick-off event for a yearlong program of special community events developed to promote heart-healthy lifestyles and raise funds for the many research studies in progress at FHRI. Next April, FHRI will launch Heart of a Chef Weekend, an event that includes daytime community challenges designed to educate, enlighten and motivate Miami residents to adopt healthy practices that will help them avoid cardiovascular disease. The community events will include competitions among local, non-professional cooks, schools and community organizations as well as cooking demonstrations, a mini-farmers market, exhibits and book signings. “This is the first time an event of this kind has taken place in Miami,” says Sallie Byrd, Senior Vice President, Development, at FHRI. “Driven to Dine is not a progressive dinner. Its an opportunity to experience fine dining and an exceptional evening out. Guests will not know beforehand where they are dining; its a mystery. Theyll pick a number out of a hat and that number will correspond to a limousine that will take them to the restaurant, where the chef will greet them at the door.” There are fifteen restaurants participating, including Cacao Restaurant, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Casa Casuarina; Normans Restaurant; Escopazzo; Grass Restaurant and Lounge; Karu and Y; Ortanique on the Mile; The Havana Club; Neomis at the Trump Sonesta Hotel; North One Ten; and David Bouley Evolution. The Florida Heart Research Institute has been at the forefront of the fight against cardiovascular disease for over sixty years. FHRI conducts cutting edge research and provides education and prevention programs designed to prevent heart disease. “Florida Heart Research Institute is a 501(C) 3 charitable organization that relies on donations to fund its mission to stop heart disease through research, education and prevention,” according to Kathleen DuCasse, Chief Executive Officer. “Driven to Dine is a great way to have a fantastic evening and support programs that may save your life.”
