On February 11th 2012, hundreds of people will be walking down the red carpet at the Puerto Vallarta American School to once again support the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (RISE) at the annual RISE for Hope event.

Guests will enjoy the entertainment of Mistress of Ceremonies and favorite Canadian chanteuse, Kim Kuzma, as well as some special guests. They will also be treated to the cuisine of 40 of Vallarta’s best restaurants. Following dining, they will watch as some of the children and chefs descend the red carpet, and witness an amazing live auction. Fireworks will close the evening.

This annual event raises essential funds to continue the work of sheltering children at the Refugio. These children are housed, fed, taken to school, given medical attention as necessary, laundry… everything. They come from a variety of situations including abandonment, neglect and abuse. Over the course of a year as many as 65 children may be in residence at one time. Some have lived at RISE for most of their young lives.

VIP Patron tables are $900 pesos or $75 US/CAD per person, and are available at No Way Jose! in Old Town or by contacting the Canadian Children’s Shelter of Hope Foundation’s (CCSHF) Satellite office at (322) 222-8968. VIP’s will enjoy early entry from the Red Carpet and front stage seating with food and wine service at your table by a private waiter.

General admission tickets are $550 pesos or $45 US/CAD per person, and are available at Daiquiri Dick’s on the south side of Vallarta, or by calling the CCSHF office at the number above.

All of the featured restaurants participating in the RISE for Hope 2012 event are included in the 2012 Children of the Refugio Cookbook, which will be available over the course of the evening.

The 60 page publication is bilingual and features the restaurants’ recipes as well as photos of the food and portraits of the children. The cookbook has just been nominated to be part of the Gourmand Awards in Paris, which is held during the largest cookbook show in the world. 100% of proceeds from the sale of this publication go directly to Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E.) and the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, as all costs have been underwritten and talents donated.

Featured restaurants include: Café Bahia, Pan y Que?, Hot Fridas, Arte Culinario, Coco’s Kitchen, The Culinary Projects, Barcelona Tapas, Daiquiri Dick’s, Vitea, La Cigale, Trio, Trattoria Michel, River Café, Bubba Gump, Kaiser Maximilian, Thierry’s Prime Steakhouse, El Barracuda, Taste at Casa Cupula, O Restaurant, Ginger Garden, No Way Jose!, Café des Artistes, The Coffee Cup, Garbo’s Piano Bar and more.

Items in the auctions and raffles include: 2 round trip tickets on any Alaska Airlines routes, a four night stay at Villa Real del Mar in La Cruz, a private dinner on the beach for 12 at Club Lido, golf packages at Vista Golf and Paradise Village, private chef dinner at the Botanical Gardens including tour, an architectural/interior design package from Xcarllet Interiors, electronic items and so much more.

Do not miss this special evening of savoring the gourmet tastes of Vallarta, glamorous entertainment, bidding and children. Mark your calendars now for this spectacular event to benefit R.I.S.E. You’ll enjoy plenty of delicious food from Puerto Vallarta’s most popular restaurants, beer and wine, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, and much more!