A 'Model' Evening for the Arts

Last Monday, November 10, I had the fortunate pleasure of attending a wonderful event, “A Fashionable Taste of New York,” at Cipriani on 23rd and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. It was a benefit presented by AYUDA for the Arts, which is an organization that helps urban kids of all racial backgrounds continue their artistic pursuits by awarding scholarships based on promise and merit. Patrons at the event were were treated to live music, a variety of casino table games, and the opportuity to win some cool packages in the silent auction.

The party, which hosted a who's who of New York Latino A-listers, was beautifully organized, fun, and featured loads of eclectic food from various area restaurants. My top favorites for the evening were tacos made with Alaskan King Crab on a bed of seaweed salad from Avenida in Greenwich, Connecticut. Executive Chef, Jorge Adriazola’s savoury snacks were the talk of the evening. No wonder, the corner was packed with people lingering by his table, mojitos in hand! The mango tres leches cakes from 809 Sangria Bar and Grill also had my tastebuds dancing salsa- merengue in my mouth.

The 10th was also my birthday, and what a thrill it was to have the opportunity to meet actress and Ford model, Patricia Velásquez, who hails from Venezuela. She was in attendance to be honored by AYUDA for the Arts for her philanthropy work as a UNESCO Artist for Peace. You may recognize her from her various roles in films like The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, but I was most impressed by the fact that she recently founded the Wayuu Taya Foundation, which is a nonprofit that helps to improve living conditions for indigenous cultures all over Latin America. With an energy and personality as beautiful as the woman herself, Velásquez is one of the most accessible celebrities I have ever met. The naturalness of her beauty took my breath away when she first walked into the room, which is why she is my new girl crush--especially after she called me beautiful and wished me a heartfelt “Feliz cumpleaños.”