Virgin Islanders can eat, drink, win prizes and support the territory’s next culinary star Thursday at a fundraiser for the M.A.M. Memorial Scholarship at Umami Sushi on St. Croix.

Named for Michael Alexander McKinnon, who owned the beloved downtown sushi mainstay Dashi with his wife, Ashley, for 17 years, the scholarship raised $7,000 during its first fundraiser last year. Ashley McKinnon told the Source Tuesday that aspiring chefs de cuisine can apply for the scholarship through the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands as long as they’re enrolled in a culinary program.
For McKinnon, it’s a way to continue the work Mike did to support his own employees’ culinary journeys. She recalled how they once sat a former employee down, helped him define his goals and navigate financial aid.
“Mike’s like, ‘we’re buying his books for him.’ And you know, he went away and got to go to culinary school,” she said. “He probably thought he never could do that — but you can, and especially with a scholarship like this to help you.”
Those attending Thursday’s fundraiser can expect fare from chefs Joe Smith, Cody Garcia, Scot Bryan and Sean Skerette as well as herself and Umami’s own Rose Rivera. Each guest will receive a certain number of tickets, which they’ll be able to exchange for “Taste of St. Croix-style portions” of dishes throughout the evening.
“And so you can use your tickets to try as much as you want or as little as you want,” she said, adding that the event will also feature a sake-based cocktail.
Those with full bellies can also try their luck with two raffles — and potentially win two round-trip tickets to Puerto Rico, courtesy of Fly the Whale — or bid on silent auction items like staycations, jewelry, horseback riding, and even a medium reading.
“I’ve been so blessed with how easy it was to get people to participate,” McKinnon said, “because they know how important it is. You know, we always want to help our local youth, and they knew Michael — and his memory is important to a lot of people on this island. We want to keep that alive.”
McKinnon also thanked the fundraiser’s sponsors, Mt. Pellier Domino Club and Geographic Consulting, as well as the Benton and Scott families, for their support.
Thursday’s fundraiser starts at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online here, and direct donations to the M.A.M. Scholarship can be made here.