Authentic Flavors of Mexico/Sabores Autenticos de Mexico Foundation is celebrating its 5th anniversary in New York, awarding 33 Mexican Restaurants and joining efforts with the Mexican Consulate General and the Mexican Cultural Institute in NYC to help numerous victims of Hurricane Sandy from the Mexican Community

MIAMI, Dec. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Authentic Flavors of Mexico Foundation has announced that the 5th Authentic Mexican Restaurant Award Ceremony will be held in New York City on December 10^th at Studio 450, in conjunction with the celebration of its 5th anniversary, to help the Mexican victims of Hurricane Sandy.

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In order to support  Mexican food production and thereby increase Mexican exports, create jobs and improve quality of life of the Mexicans, the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) in conjunction with Authentic Flavors of Mexico AC, to promote the culinary traditions of Mexico, as well as the consumption of fresh and semi-processed products of the country. This to keep the title given by UNESCO to the Mexican cuisine: "Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity." This is the only program of its kind outside of Mexico to promote the Mexican cuisine and its ingredients.

In this 5th award ceremony, we will also conduct a relief effort to collect funds for Hurricane Sandy's Mexican victims together with Avocados from Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Institute we have invited the restaurants to participate in the program "Guacamole for a Good Cause." APEAM, the Mexican Avocado Association, has agreed to contribute 440 cases of Mexican avocados. All participating restaurants will receive free cases of avocados for a weekly supply of Guacamole and will donate the proceeds of the Guacamole sales profit to an account set up by the Mexican Cultural Institute. This year's program will also be sponsored by: Wines La Cetto, Aeromexico, Hotels Boutique de Mexico, Hecho en Dumbo Restaurant, Products La Providencia, Cafe Balbuino, Chia Meztli, Nectarave and diverse tequila producers from Jalisco, said the founder of the Non for profit in a press release.

The 33 Mexican restaurants to be awarded were chosen by Authentic Flavors of Mexico, based on a menu they provided and their contribution in spreading the Mexican cuisine along with its traditions, gastronomy and support to Mexican fields through consumption of Mexican products:

Comodo, El Maguey, La Tuna, El Mitote, El Newyorkina, Tacombi, Vamos, Gran Electrica,Cafe el Portal, Cafe Frida, El Paso Restaurante, Fonda, Hecho en Dumbo, Maya Restaurant, Mercadito, Mesa Coyoacan, Mexico Lindo, Ofrenda, Pampano, Papatzul, Suenos, Toloache, El aguila, La Palapa, Anejo Tequileria, Empellon, Los Feliz, Pulqueria, Crema, El Centro, Hell's Kitchen, La Superior and Rocking Horse

Additionally, three special awards will be delivered to chef and dean of Mexican Cuisine, Zarela Martinez, who opened one of the first Authentic Mexican Restaurants in NYC more than 25 years ago. Roberto Santibanez, owner of Fonda Restaurant, for the "outstanding" contributions he has made to Authentic Flavors of Mexico as Culinary Curator for the past five years and Zaina dell'Aquila of the company Conde Nast's restaurant for her great Mexican Food day program.

After the ceremony, dinner will be offered to the guests. Dishes served will focus on the gastronomy of the state of Jalisco and its products. Jalisco is also a major producer of agri-foods like pomegranate, pitaya, chia seeds, avocado, coffee, agave syrup, dried chiles, typically Yahualica, sauces, agave syrup, and it is the only state in Mexico that has an ostrich meat plant, TIF certified, and recently it has also been certified to export pork to Japan.

The dinner will be coordinated by culinary curators of Authentic Flavors of Mexico, Chefs Danny Mena the successful owner of restaurant Hecho en Dumbo and Roberto Santibanez. Also dishes will be prepared by the following chefs/restaurants: Ivan Garcia from Mesa Coyoacan; Felipe Donnelly from Comodo; Osacar Hernandez from Tacombi; Cristina Castaneda from El Mitote; Barbara Sibley from La Palapa; Fany Gerson from LaNewYorkina and Julian Medina from Toloache.

The mixologist Israel Mejia, from the recently opened Gran Electrica in Brooklyn will combine the ingredients produced in Jalisco for the beverages to be created for this event.

SOURCE Authentic Flavors of Mexico