The St. Croix Foundation’s annual fundraiser “Wine in the Warehouse” is set for Friday, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bohlke International Aviation Hangar and features Food Network celebrity chef Eric Adjepong.
Early bird tickets are on sale. They are going very fast at $150 and are available through Sept. 25. Thereafter, regular tickets will be available for $175. Limited VIP Experience tickets will also be released, offering exclusive access to Chef Eric Adjepong, signed copies of his cookbook, craft cocktails and small bites. Tickets can be secured at stxfoodandwine.com
Known as the “Tree of Life,” the baobab stands tall across Africa and the Caribbean as a symbol of strength, nourishment and resilience. Its deep roots anchor communities, while its wide branches and fruit sustain generations.
“At St. Croix Foundation, we see ourselves as a baobab for our island: rooted in place, sheltering our people and sustaining the work that drives progress on St. Croix and throughout the Virgin Islands,” Executive Director Deanna James said about the connection between Ghanaian Celebrity Chef Eric Adjepong and the foundation.
“Wine in the Warehouse” is the fruit of that tree — a joyful harvest where community, culture and philanthropy converge, Each ticket purchased and each sponsorship pledged feeds back into the Foundation’s roots, allowing us to grow the branches of our work: strengthening nonprofits through fiscal sponsorships, grantmaking, and the nonprofit Consortium and advocating for equity across the Virgin Islands, according to the organization.
James spoke about the last five or six years of the food and wine event. It is intentional that the event isn’t bigger than the cause behind it and the mission of the organization, she said. “We are really trying to center the work that we’re doing — the way we think about the work — and see the extension of our impact in the community. So, every year, we go through the exercise of identifying partners and potential celebrity chefs. We are always first interested in the story.”
This year’s event carries an especially meaningful resonance with the announcement of guest chef Eric Adjepong. A first-generation Ghanaian-American, Chef Eric hails from the very homeland of the baobab, where the tree has long been revered as a source of nourishment and community gathering. His presence at “Wine in the Warehouse” bridges our island’s own ancestral roots of bringing together community, corporate partners and philanthropic supporters to build a brighter future for St. Croix, James said.
“We have been talking about the story of the foundation, our place in the community and our place in the diaspora. So, when we were connected to Eric Adjepong’s publicist and saw how Eric’s roots are directly connected to the way in which we were thinking and how our story is told, we could see how the Baobab Tree is one of those symbols that connects us. That made us know that he [Eric] was the right pick for this year. He immediately accepted,” James announced with joy in her voice.
“The process for securing him was very easy. We assured him that we would not work him too hard and that he would have time to rest and enjoy the island, James continued, smiling as she spoke,” James said.
Historically, the St. Croix Educational Complex Culinary students were featured and given the opportunity to learn directly from the guest chefs. Last year, the St. Croix Central High School Culinary students worked with guest celebrity chef Digby Stridiron. This year, both schools will be featured, and, in addition, culinary students from some of the private schools will participate, and all will learn directly from celebrity chef Eric Adjepong in the kitchen and will showcase their talent for over 500 guests.
More than just a culinary event, “Wine in the Warehouse” is the foundation’s only annual fundraiser, fueling programs that strengthen St. Croix year-round: from revitalizing downtown Christiansted and restoring the historic Alexander Theatre, to awarding youth scholarships and advancing data-driven policy through “ KIDS COUNT USVI.”
Since its founding in 1990 following the devastation of Hurricane Hugo, St. Croix Foundation for Community Development has been a visionary of social change and holistic community development. For three decades, the foundation has been working with community partners to challenge the status quo and direct strategic investment toward its key priority areas, including community and economic development, education, reform, public safety and nonprofit development, according to the foundation.
Proceeds from the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience support St. Croix Foundation’s year-round holistic community development work, making sponsorship of this beloved event about more than just the high visibility and networking opportunities that the series offers. As both grantmaker and civic hub for local nonprofits and all the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix Foundation’s wingspan is broad and deep, encompassing a holistic suite of priorities, including community revitalization, economic development, youth and education initiatives and nonprofit capacity building. Over the course of 35 years, SCF has invested over $50 million directly into the U.S. Virgin Islands and built an incomparable track record around innovative and people-centered solutions that put “community” back into the foundation, according to the organization.
St. Croix Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to presenting sponsors Bohlke International Aviation, CC1, Cost-U-Less, and Crucian Point, and early sponsors Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, Marshall & Sterling and J. Benton Construction for their steadfast commitment to this event and to the community at large. With their partnership, “Wine in the Warehouse” continues to grow as one of the Virgin Islands’ most anticipated culinary celebrations.
For more information:
stxfoodandwine.com
www.stxfoundation.org
lcox@stxfoundation.org – Lilli Cox, director of Communications & Community Investments
cmiles@stxfiundation.org – Chevon Miles, director of Development
