Rooftop Summer Solstice Party at Departures Benefits World Central Kitchen

Brian Delaurenti and Johnathan Dahl, collectively known as The Gay Beards,

Portland, Or. Brian Delaurenti and Johnathan Dahl, collectively known as The Gay Beards, hosted a Summer Solstice party sponsored by Reyka Vodka. The June 21st event also helped mark the 10th anniversary of Departure Restaurant and The Nines Hotel; proceeds from the anniversary celebrations benefited the World Central Kitchen. Reyka Vodka, which is made in Iceland, hosted parties in NYC, Reykjavik, Baltimore and Portland.

The weather cooperates for the rooftop party on the 15th floor of the historic Meier & Frank building at 525 SW Morrison Street.

Gregory Gourdet, Executive Chef at Departure, poses for a photo.

Byron Beck and Juan Martinez

Portland Society Page Editor, Elisa Klein and Steven Klein

The Gay Beards toast the summer solstice.

The first-ever vodka distilled in Iceland uses glacial spring water. Reyka Vodka also uses lava rocks from nearby fields as a filtration system.

Here are a few more photos of the event:

From World Central Kitchen:

José Andrés founded World Central Kitchen after the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti with the belief that food can be an agent of change. We have expanded globally and have developed into a group of chefs creating smart solutions to hunger and poverty.

Today, World Central Kitchen uses the expertise of its Chef Network to empower people to be part of the solution, with a focus on health, education, jobs, and social enterprise.

Health: Cleaner cooking with clean cook stoves and food safety/sanitation training.
Education: School kitchens to support feeding programs that encourage school attendance and provide a source of sustainable revenue for the school.
Jobs: Culinary training to elevate the hospitality workforce, increase earnings, enhance quality of life, and strengthen Haiti’s economy.
Social Enterprise: Food ventures that increase income, create jobs, and provide transferable vocational skills to low-income communities.

Since our inception, our work has affected communities in Brazil, Cambodia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, Zambia, and the United States.

Join us as we use the power of food to empower communities and strengthen economies.

WCK is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.