By Maria Paula Gonzales
The South Florida hospitality community is coming together as they face a tremendous loss with the passing of wife, mother, and Driftwood co-founder; Ilia Gonzalez.
On Nov. 12, local chefs, restaurants, farms, and food purveyors are teaming up for a benefit dinner at Swank Specialty Produce in Loxahatchee. 100% of the proceeds are going to support the Everett family.
Chef Jimmy Everett, husband to Ilia and co-founder of Driftwood, made the difficult decision to close the restaurant’s doors after 10 years of service.
Now that the restaurant is closed, the community that has felt their warmth for a decade is looking to give back by supporting Driftwood and it’s impact on the hospitality industry.
The Line up
The generosity of our South Florida community has resulted in a remarkable lineup of local culinary talent that will be contributing to the evening:
Michael Hackman of aioli
Robert Bellini of Pistachioli
Bryce Dangerfield of Curds & Corks
Tommy Pozzuto and Glenn Rogers of Elev8ted Chefs
Matt Reilly of Tempesta Artisans Salumi
James Cruz of Second Rodeo
Eduardo Lara of The Wolf of Tacos
Jeffery Munchel of Voodoo Bayou
Nicole Fey of True Grit Hospitality
Tori Rivera of Chef Tori Catering
Also featuring:
Jon Sarmiento, Ernie Debase, Daniel Diaz, James Strine, and Neil Herkar.
The Dinner
The full menu is still being finalized, but the evening will include a wide range of culinary experiences and options from chef demonstrations to grazing stations.
Sweetwater, Bootleg Greg, and True Grit Hospitality will contribute to the beverage experience, providing refreshments.
This event has been made possible by many community sponsors, including Swank Specialty Produce, Captain Clay & Sons, Naga Gardens, Breads by Johnny, Gratitude Garden, Bliss and Red Splendor, and more.
Ilia and Jimmy built Driftwood from the ground up together and made an impact on local farmers, fishermen, hospitality workers, and dinning enthusiasts alike. This is an opportunity to support the people behind the scenes who have faced a sudden and unexpected loss.
Please consider joining together one last time to support Driftwood’s team and remember it’s legacy at the benefit dinner. If you are able, please also consider donating to the GoFundMe linked below to help support Jimmy and his 13-year-old son, Maxon.
The Benefit Dinner
Event details:
Thursday November 12th, 6-9:30 pm
Price: $125.00 per person (ticket fee excl.)
Driftwood Benefit Dinner
Swank Specialty Produce, 14311 N Rd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470
