Events
STREETS 3rd Annual NYC Event
March 24, 2010 (New York, NY)
STREETS INTERNATIONAL hosted its third annual New York City 'Street Food Celebration' presented by Diamond Elite/The Merchant Group at Astor Center on March 24th from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. The annual event is an important component to secure the funding and support necessary for the development of the STREETS program.
Tastings of iconic street food from around the world - Vietnam, India, Italy, Mexico and the U.S. - were prepared by some of the city's most celebrated Chefs, featuring:
  • Chef Kenny Callaghan, Blue Smoke
  • Chef Seamus Mullen, Boqueria
  • Chef Floyd Cardoz, Tabla
  • Chef Gabe Thompson and Joe Campanale, dell'anima and L'Artusi
  • Chef Susana Trilling, Rosa Mexicano
  • Pastry Chef Karen DeMasco, Locanda Verde
  • Chef Erica Wides, The Institute of Culinary Education
  • Chef Tom Colicchio, Colicchio and Sons
  • Chef Emilio Fujimoto of Cleaver & Company/The Green Table
The evening included an open bar with specialty Asian inspired libations designed to pair with the iconic street food. Chef Erica Wides, STREETS Executive Consulting Chef and Advisory Board member, presented a Vietnamese cooking demonstration sponsored by The Institute of Culinary Education. The JH Cohn-sponsored silent auction including a one-of-a-kind 'NYC Wine & Dine Weekends' was a huge success. A VIP reception hosted by the law offices of Entwistle & Capucci allowed for a more intimate meeting and photographs with all the Chefs.
'The overwhelming generosity at this year's benefit is instrumental in helping to support our first restaurant and regional training center started in HoiAn this past year,' said Neal Bermas, Ph.D., Founder & Chairman of STREETS International.
'It was wonderful to see New York's culinary community once again come together in support of our global efforts with street kids,' adds Mark Maynard-Parisi, Managing Partner of Blue Smoke and STREETS board member. 'What sets this organization apart is its long-term approach - providing life skills, technical and practical experiences - that promises these kids a chance at a fruitful career in the hospitality industry.'
The event was a great party and huge success with over 200 guests enjoying the food and fare, raising three times the funds as last year. Plans are underway to make next year's event even bigger and better.

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Top New York Chefs Turn Out to Support "STREETS INTERNATIONAL" Annual Benefit
March 11, 2009 (New York, NY)
Some of NYC's top chefs and more than 150 guests turned out to support the STREETS INTERNATIONAL annual benefit event on March 11, 2009, in New York City at the Astor Center in the landmark Devinne Press building. All money raised is being used to benefit Streets International.
The Jazz Standard Youth Orchestra, featuring accomplished local student musicians who play weekly at Danny Meyer's Jazz Standard, performed New Orleans street music throughout the evening. A silent auction was also held to raise additional funds.
STREETS will open its first culinary training center and restaurant in Vietnam in 2009. Subsequent locations are planned for Laos and the Philippines. Tourists, residents and local dignitaries will enjoy the outstanding food, beverages and hospitality, while at the same time support this innovative social enterprise for disadvantaged youth.
STREETS INTERNATIONAL would like to give special thanks to the many generous sponsors listed below who helped made this event possible.
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STREETS Meets Vice Chairman of Lao PDR
April 2008 (Vientiane, Laos)
Launch Party Dinner Neal Bermas, Ph.D., founder and president of STREETS INTERNATIONAL, was recently welcomed in Vientiane, Laos by Ambassador Vang Rattanavong, a Vice Chairman of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, (pictured to the right), to discuss the STREETS project.
Ambassador Rattanavong was pleased to learn about the project's planned initiatives for SE Asia. Tourism is rapidly growing in Laos and considerable government effort is being expanded to further develop the country's infrastructure to serve this important sector.
Bermas said, "I was taken not only with the Ambassador's perceptive observations and instructive ideas but also by his gracious warmth. Our meeting concluded with the Ambassador extending an official welcome and invitation to STREETS to come to Laos with our planned project." Discussions between STREETS INTERNATIONAL and the Laotian government will continue.


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