Venezuelan flavours to raise charity cash at London food fair

Feeling peckish for traditional Venezuelan dishes such as arepas, pabellón criollo, torta de plátano, bienmesabe and quesillo? Want to pick up some hallacas ready for Christmas? Well head for Kensington Town Hall in South Kensington, London W8, on Saturday October 16, where Venezuelan food and drinks will be on sale from midday to 1830 as part of the Latin American Gastronomic Festival.

This major charity event bringing together food stalls from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay to raise money for disadvantaged children across Latin America.

Visitors can sample the gastronomic delights of South and Central America as they browse stalls selling food, drink and arts and crafts from the region.

Music will be provided throughout the afternoon by groups playing Salsa, Son Cubano, Argentine Tango, Mexican Mariachi and folk songs from Bolivia.

Bradt travel guides will be selling their award-winning guide books to the countries of the region and there will be a raffle at 1630 with prizes such as plane tickets to Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Madrid

The Venezuelan stall has been organized by CHAMOS, a not-for-profit UK charity that aims to improve the living standards of the most deprived children in Venezuela, whether living in urban or rural areas, or in indigenous communities.

CHAMOS has no political or religious affiliation, and all funds raised through volunteer work are used to financially support NGO’s working in Venezuela.

For more details of the Latin American Gastronomic Festival visit the website of the Anglo Latin American Foundation (ALAF) or the home page of CHAMOS.

Tickets are priced £5 for adults, £2 for under-16s, and free for under-5s are available on the door or in advance from Miriam Iturralde (osorio.mb@hotmail.com; 020 8337 9516).

One of the Venezuelan charities supported by CHAMOS is the Hogar Santa Ana in Maracaibo, which feeds over 150 children every day. CHAMOS were able recently to provide colourful new tables and chairs for the dining area, which can be seen in this short video highlighting the fantastic work being done at Hogar Santa Ana: