By Jesús Aguado
“Let’s meet again,” was the SMA Red Cross’ slogan to attract locals and visitors to its 10th annual Gala. The event took place in the garden of the Rosewood Hotel, with the magnificent view of the Parroquia as the backdrop. When guests arrived, they could register for the raffle and the auction. Then they sat down for a four-course dinner prepared by chefs from four countries. The funds raised went to one specific goal—the purchase of a new ambulance.
The four-course dinner included a Spanish entry by Jesús Pedraza; Chef Vincent Wallez, from France, offered a celery heart volute with salmon tartar and dill from the garden on peasant melba with cashew nuts. The main course, the creative effort of chef Donnie Masteron, was a wild rice and cauliflower risotto with roasted mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, and roasted garlic butter sauce. Dessert was by Mexican chef Ernesto Narváez (Live Aqua), an horchata taxcalate and pistachio nougatine. The chefs explained their dishes to the guests.
During dinner guests enjoyed the music of the Macorinos band and the voice of singer Cecilia García Amaro. Then came the auction, with prizes such as stays in different parts of Mexico, followed by music to dance to with DJ Martha Alvarado. Attendees also had the opportunity to win art and activities.
The Red Cross fulfilled its objective: to bring people together again following the contingency and raise funds for the purchase of a new ambulance, valued at up to 1.5 million pesos. The president of the institution, Leticia Fernández de Noyola, said, “The population continues to grow, as well as operating expenses, and pre-hospital emergency services provided by the Red Cross. We need new and well-equipped ambulances.”
