County Legislator David Tubiolo, Aurea Roman owner of “How Sweet It Is,” and community activist Kim Martinez recently hosted the first Coquito and Flan Tasting Benefit, with proceeds going to the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, through the organization of Hispanic Federation/Unidos. Almost $2,000 was raised during the event.
“Raising money for the victims of Hurricane Maria is the least we can do,” said Legislator and sponsor David Tubiolo. “The participants, organizers, judges, audience and I couldn’t stand by and watch the devastation and aftermath continue. We channeled our frustration and concern into a positive benefit through the culture of Puerto Rico.”
There were six contestants in the coquito competition and three in the flan competition, with three judges – Hector Lopez, Iliana Ortiz and Yonkers City Court Judge Tom Quinones.
Lopez grew up in Slobum Housing Project in Southwest Yonkers. His father is from Arecibo and mother from Caguas. He is a sergeant in for Westchester County Department of Correction Officers and president of the Westchester Hispanic Law Enforcement Association, vice president of the Yonkers Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Yonkers Hispanic Cultural Foundation.
Ortiz was born in San German in Puerto Rico and moved to Spanish Harlem (El Barrio) at the intersection of East 105th Street and 1st Avenue. Her father is from San Herman and mother is from Mayaguez.
Quinones grew up in Spanish Harlem (El Barrio) at the intersection of E. 116th Street and Lexington Avenue. His father is from Rinco and mother from Fajardo. He is a Judge for the city of Yonkers, being the first person of Hispanic background to be appointed and win re-election. He was a Family Court support magistrate by New York City’s chief administrative judge (1996).
Roman grew up in the Bainbridge neighborhood in the Bronx. Her father is from Humacao. She opened How Sweet It Is as a classic candy and bakery shop at 979 McLean Ave., Yonkers.
Martinez grew up in the neighborhood of Mount Hope in the Bronx, at the intersections of Tremont Avenue and Grand Concourse. Her family is from Maricao.
The Judges chose Diana Torres as the winner for the coqutio contest and Yvette Hernandez-Ramos as the winner of the flan contest.
The People’s Choice awarded the following as winners for the coquito contest: Edward Martinez (first place), Jose Morales (second place) and Rosemary Colon (third place).
The People’s Choice awarded the following as winners for the flan contest: Yvette Hernandez-Ramos (first place), Kimberly DeJesus-Seda (second place) and Santiago Caceres (third place).
“A big thank you to all our amazing contestants and winners, who donated their time and resources to make this benefit for Puerto Rico such a success,” said Roman. “We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to #SelfieCreations for donating their time and #PhotoBooth pictures that made it even more fun. Thank you to our three cool judges who had me laughing most of the time – you rock! Thank you to mother-daughter team Stella and Olani; you saved me. Thank you Marion, who’s always got my back. Thank you to everyone who came out and bought a ticket, raffle, or donated. We raised almost $2,000. And last but not least, Kim Maritnez and David Tubiolo for co-sponsoring this sweet benefit – making it happen. This was Kim’s idea and I’m just so happy How Sweet could host it.”
