February 21: Stir It 28 – Food Bloggers for Haiti Relief

It’s been just over a month since a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th, causing widespread damage and devastating the capital city of Port-au-Prince. According to the Associated Press, the estimated death toll is now over 230,000 and expected to rise. Although the emergency phase of the disaster is over, and millions of dollars have been donated towards the humanitarian effort, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. As Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive recently told delegates at a conference in Montreal, “massive support” from the international community will be needed in order for Haiti to rebuild.

With that need in mind, three food bloggers have come together to organize Stir It 28, a multi-faceted fundraising campaign to support ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Stir It 28 is the brainchild of Chrystal Baker (The Duo Dishes), Bren Herrera (Flanboyant Eats) and Courtney Nzeribe (Coco Cooks).

The three-part Stir It 28 campaign will take place as follows:

Part I. Feb. 21 – Culinary Evening Celebrating Life & Hope
Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and New York will each host its own culinary fundraiser for the public this Sunday, February 21st. The events will feature food from chefs, restaurants and food bloggers from each city.

For Stir It 28 Los Angeles, a top-notch group of caterers, bloggers and home cooks will prepare an extensive list of appetizers and desserts for guests to enjoy. Among the culinary talent is Gisele Perez (Small Pleasures Catering), who will host an interactive bruschetta bar and a dessert bar; and Barrie Lynn Krich (The Cheese Impresario), who will have her artisanal cheese plates for the event.

Thirsty guests need not worry: Natalie Bovis-Nelsen (The Liquid Muse) is hosting not one, but two bars. Grey Goose and LA brand attaché Christophe Namer are joining Natalie to present signature vodka cocktails, including Natalie’s own Hearts for Haiti (Grey Goose L’Orange, homemade syrup, fresh grapefruit juice and prosecco). At her Sangria Station, Natalie will offer specialty sangrias featuring Sutter Home and Fre Alcohol-Removed wines, and the Sparkling Pomegranate Snowflake from her book, Preggatinis™: Mixology for the Mom-To-Be.

$30 advance tickets can be purchased at Flanboyant Eats or Coco Cooks. Advance tickets are on sale until 3:00 pm PST on Saturday, February 20th. Click the Stir It 28 logo that says “Purchase Tickets For STIR IT 28 Culinary Event-Feb. 21st.” Be sure to indicate you’re buying a ticket for the LA event in the seller’s notes. A limited number of $35 tickets will also be available at the door.

Part II. Month-Long Donations
If you’re unable to attend Sunday’s event, donations are being accepted via PayPal all month long, beginning Feb. 21st. The PayPal donation address is stirit28 (at) gmail (dot) com.

Part III. One Comment. One Eats.
Food bloggers are invited to participate in Bren Herrera’s hunger campaign, “Hunger Lives No More: One Comment. One Eats.” For each comment left on the 1st post of February, participating bloggers are asked to donate one food item to Share Our Strength. Donations are coordinated with SOS to ensure all food items will reach Haiti. If you participate, email bren (at) flanboyanteats (dot) com and you will receive a “You Gave” badge to place on your blog.

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Stir It 28 Los Angeles
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Private Hollywood Residence
4-7pm

$30 in advance.
Limited $35 tickets at the door.
Complimentary valet parking to the 1st 50 guests.

Featuring:

• Appetizers and desserts from top caterers, bloggers, and home cooks.
• Two bars with cocktails and beverages from The Liquid Muse, featuring Grey Goose, Sutter Home Winery, and Fre Alcohol-Removed Wine.
• Raffle prizes include Preggatinis™ Gift Basket from The Liquid Muse, iHerb.com gift pack, cookbooks from Abel & Cole and Karen Tack and Alan Richardson, and a gift certificate to OpenSky.

100% of proceeds goes directly to Yéle and Share Our Strength.

For more information, please visit The Duo Dishes.