BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Tao Group Hospitality Offers Pink Food And Drinks For World Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Following
This article is more than 4 years old.

Tao Group Hospitality and its charitable arm, Tao Group Hospitality Cares, have created pink-themed food and beverage specials for World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 10% of proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

“It’s a great honor for myself and Tao Group Hospitality through Tao Group Hospitality Cares to try and make an impact for a meaningful cause in World Breast Cancer Awareness,” says Ralph Scamardella, chef and partner at Tao Group Hospitality. “Each one of us has been affected in some shape or form by cancer. My mom passed away in 1992 from breast cancer and it was a long, terrible battle. Having every venue and employee across the country join together to raise awareness and money towards cancer research, treatment, early detection and prevention helps us all see the bigger picture.”

Some of the notable creations include a pink don huevo dessert, created by pastry chef Paola Marocchi, and tacos suaderos by corporate chef Brad Warner. Both items can be found at Bodega Negra. "For the tacos suaderos, we wanted a slightly sweet and acidic counterpoint to the richness of the beef and bone marrow in the taco,” Warner says. “Pickled late season red plums seemed to be the perfect fit. Coupled with red onions, arbol chiles and rice wine vinegar, the red plums turn to a beautiful pink when pickled and compliment the tamarind and citrus braised brisket perfectly. In addition to the tacos, we decided to prepare our signature dessert, the don huevo, with a pink chocolate dome. That pink dome gets melted away with hot caramel, which reveals the warm chocolate cake inside."

Diners can also enjoy pink creations at Legasea, such as their tempura butternut squash. “We always work to create dishes that are pink since it's the color most people associate with World Breast Cancer Awareness, but it was also important to my team and I to offer takes on our signature dishes that we knew would be special for the season to garner as much support as possible and raise as much as we could,” says Legasea culinary director Jason Hall. “Legasea’s butternut squash tempura is always a favorite for fall. The orange flesh of the squash is visible through the light tempura batter, and when you're in the dining room at Legasea it almost has this pinkish hue—it's also one of my favorite dishes to share with our guests this fall season. 

The pink-themed specials will be available at Tao Group Hospitality restaurants across the nation, including Vandal, Beauty & Essex, TAO Chicago and Luchini Pizzeria & Bar in Los Angeles. The company’s nightlife brands will also participate at locations such as PHD Rooftop Lounge, LAVO Nightclub and Magic Hour. Head over to Manhattan’s Beauty And Essex to indulge in the pink wonder wheel—pink champagne cake pops, strawberry jam truffles, pink chocolate chip blondies, rose raspberry macarons and strawberry Rice Krispies Treats—or imbibe a rubina rosa cocktail—Finlandia grapefruit vodka, yuzu citrus and pomegranate—at LAVO. 

“It's an honor and privilege to be a part of Tao Group Hospitality Cares as we join forces across the nation to raise not just funds and awareness for breast cancer, but to spread the message that there is hope,” says Chris Santos, chef and partner at Tao Group Hospitality. “I am so beyond grateful to be a part of such a great organization that supports the fighters, admires the survivors and honors those we lost. We are all stronger together.” 

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedInCheck out my website