Five area restaurants are joining together on March 22 to raise funds for the Cortez Public Library by hosting a “moveable feast” with a themed gourmet menu and readings from notable works of literature woven into the program.
The event started five years ago by Pepperhead owners Tess and Pete Montaño as a way to use the creative talents of local foodies and restaurant owners to benefit community organizations. By collaborating with their downtown Cortez neighbors on how to use their skills to give back to area organizations, Montezuma’s Table was born.
The theme of this year’s Montezuma’s Table benefit dinner is gourmet literacy, which will allow guests will hear readings from library mainstays like “Charlotte’s Web,” “Treasure Island,” “Harry Potter,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Robinson Crusoe.” One hundred percent of the proceeds goes to Cortez Public Library.
“For them to select the library as the beneficiary is a great honor to the work that has been done here, and an acknowledgment of the important place the library has in the community,” said Cortez Public Library director Eric Ikenouye. “I also like to think of any contribution to the library as a challenge to us to keep working hard to meet the needs of our patrons.”
He added that the funds will be used to support children’s programming and materials, as well to implement some adult and teen programming the library would like to get underway.
The five-course dinner begins at 4 p.m. with Loungin’ Lizard catering appetizers in the Sunflower Theater, then moves to The Farm for a salad course. Next stops are Stonefish Sushi for an entree, another entree at Pepperhead and ending San Juan Coffee for dessert, where equally creative literary-themed desserts and coffee await.
Sonja Horoshko, a local graphic artist and owner of Art Juice gallery in Cortez has designed menus for patrons annually, which have become coveted keepsakes among attendees. The event has raised $25,000 since its inception.
“It is splendid to work on the project with the team of restaurateurs of such high caliber and large hearts,” said Horoshko.
Fifty tickets are available at $125 apiece and are available for purchase at Pepperhead.
For more information call 970-565-3303 or find Montezuma’s Table on Facebook.