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La Romana Country Club opened its doors at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, for the eighth edition of “Friendsgiving,” an event where high-end home cooking transformed into hope, achieving a historic collection of 5 million Dominican pesos entirely earmarked for the Patronato Benéfico Oriental (Hogar del Niño).

Led by Gabriella Reginato, who served as mistress of ceremonies, the evening was highlighted by the human warmth of the attendees.

“It is beautiful to see how the entire Casa de Campo community attends every year with such enthusiasm,” Reginato said, emphasizing that the true heart of the celebration is not the food, but the underlying purpose of helping others.

The Culinary Challenge: Apple and Ginger

While solidarity was the protagonist, the gastronomic competition kept everyone in suspense. The central axis of the event is determining who bakes the best turkey, the signature dish of Thanksgiving.

The responsibility of evaluating the 14 culinary entries fell on a panel of experts composed of Reginato, Desireé León, and Chef Gabriel Occelli. Their criteria were fundamental in discerning the creative use of apple and ginger, ensuring that the winners stood out not only for technique but also for the harmony of flavors required in this edition.

After a deliberation that evaluated flavor, texture, and presentation, the winners were:

  • First Place: Daniela de Moya, who conquered the jury with a turkey executed to perfection. The judges noted that “everything was on point.”
  • Second Place: Angelly Varela Dajer, awarded for excellence in execution.
  • Third Place: Teresa Hernández, recognized for rich flavor and detailed presentation.

A National Movement

The impact of Friendsgiving has transcended the borders of La Romana. Reginato shared with pride that, in its eight-year history, the initiative has raised approximately $500,000 USD in total.

“That money has gone to a good place,” Reginato said, thanking the sponsors and donors.

Rubén González, the event’s founder, has an ambitious vision, Reginato explained: to have the event occur simultaneously throughout the country. The growth is already tangible:

  • Santo Domingo: Held on Nov. 19, funds were raised for the FACCI Foundation.
  • Santiago: Held Thursday night simultaneously with La Romana, funds were allocated to the Santa María Foundation.
  • The Future: The next goal is to bring the initiative to Punta Cana and, eventually, expand internationally

From a Gathering of Friends to a Tradition

The history behind the success is moving. Rubén González initiated this tradition in 2017, shortly after moving to Casa de Campo. Being away from his family, he decided to challenge his close friends to bake the best turkey at Café Marietta. What started with just seven turkeys and great enthusiasm has become a massive event that closes with music, fun, and, above all, the satisfaction of contributing to the future of Dominican children.

Photos by Mairobi Herrera.