Move Over Margarita! Mexican Food has a New Dinner Partner

Many of the business owners that showcased their products share an immigrant experience, with some of the winemakers working their way up from the fields. The event provided these entrepreneurs with the opportunity to come together to support AltaMed's mission of providing quality, culturally relevant health care to underserved populations throughoutSouthern California.

"This year's event has been the most successful yet and we expect the attendance to keep growing," said Castulo De La Rocha, AltaMed CEO. "These Latino entrepreneurs and event sponsors are not only here to showcase their products, they are supporting our organization's programs and our mission to provide quality health care to underserved communities in theSouthern California region."

In 1990 there were just a few Latino-owned vineyards and today there are well over 15 and growing each year. One such success story is that of Ceja Vineyards. In 1983 Pedro and Amelia Ceja with other family members, pooled their resources and invested in fifteen acres in Carneros. Coming tothe United States as farm workers, the family has worked hard over the years for Ceja's stellar reputation.

"Robledo Family Winery is a strong supporter of AltaMed and this event," said Vanessa Robledo, spokesperson for Robledo Family Winery. "We believe in what they are doing for Latino families and other diverse communities by providing critical health services."

In addition to Robledo Family Winery, other participating wineries were Alex Sotelo Cellars, Carneros della Notte,El Centauro del Norte, Frias Family Vineyard, J Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Karl Lawrence Cellars, Mi Sueno Winery, Renteria Wines, Ceja Vineyards, Sequoia Grove Vineyard and Two Wives.

"We are presenting guests an opportunity to try something that they perhaps have not tried before," said event co-chair Ricardo Robles, President of La Reina Inc. a manufacturer of Mexican food products. "Wine can be fantastic with traditional favorites such as ceviche and even tacos. We are trying to introduce people to something new, elevating great Mexican food so that it is on par with great French or Italian cuisine."

Several wonderful restaurants provided food samplings including East LA mainstays likeTila's Kitchen, Tacos Baja, Homegirl Cafe and El Siete Mares. Rounding out the list are the soon to open Rivera Restaurant in downtownLos Angeles by renowned Chef John Rivera Sedlar, La Casita Mexicana in the city of Bell, Phlight inWhittier, palate food + wine by Chef Octavio Becerra, Cook's Tortas, El Portal Yucatan cuisine inPasadena, and chocolates by D's Delights.

Proceeds from the event benefit AltaMed Health Services. AltaMed Health Services, a private nonprofit organization, is a major provider of health and human services in theGreater Los Angeles area and the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in theState of California. The mission of AltaMed is to provide high quality, coordinated, comprehensive health and human services to the underserved inSouthern California, with particular attention to Latino and multi-ethnic populations. AltaMed began as the East Los Angeles Barrio Free Clinic in 1969, a volunteer-staff storefront providing basic medical services. Today AltaMed's service area extends beyond the immediately surroundingEast Los Angeles area to theSouthern California region.

SOURCE AltaMed Health Services

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Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

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