Make a Difference on Valentine's Day

You can combine the joy of Valentine's Day with the ability to help relief and recovery efforts in Haiti by enjoying a meal at a restaurant that is participating in Hearts for Haiti.

Chef Ron Duprat (Bravo's Top Chef Contestant in Season Six) created the innovative Hearts for Haiti to connect restaurants and their patrons with the ability to help people on the ground in Haiti.

On Valentine's Day, restaurants participating in Hearts for Haiti are asked to donate up to 10 percent of their proceeds to relief and recovery efforts. Restaurants around the country are eagerly joining the effort.

Chef Ron Duprat, who is Haitian and is the executive chef at Latitudes Beach Cafe in Hollywood, Florida, is joined by Bravo's Top Chef Season Six winner Michael Voltaggio in this terrific endeavor.

They teamed up with the following nonprofits as recipients of the proceeds: PADF; the Organization of American States; Hollywood Unites for Haiti, which was started by actor Jimmy Jean-Louis (NBC's Heroes); and the Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid.

Among the chefs and restaurants around the country who have committed to Hearts for Haiti:

Arizona

• Chef Todd Sicolo at Frank & Albert's Restaurant at The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix
  

California

• Mattin Nobilia of Iluna Basque Restaurant in San Francisco
• Michael Voltaggio of The Dining Room, Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena, has donated two dining gift certificates valued at $400, which will be auctioned.

Connecticut

• Adam Greenberg of Barcelona Wine Bar (several locations in Connecticut)

Florida

• Allen Susser of Chef Allen�s Seafood Grill in Aventura
  
• Ron Duprat of Latitudes Beach Cafe at the Hollywood Beach Marriott in Hollywood
  
• Michelle Bernstein of Michy's in Miami
  
• Sean Gavin of Crave Restaurant, Fort Myers
  
• James Hudson of J Bistro in Fort Myers
  
• Niranjan Perera of Nilus Delights Bakery in Hollywood
  
• Tim Andriola of Timo Restaurant, Sunny Isles
  
• Jose Pastrana of Trina Restaurant at the Atlantic Hotel in Fort Lauderdale
• Chef Sigfredo Gonzalez at Borinqueya in Davie
  
• Chef Steve Mendez at Top Chef Restaurant and Lodge in North Fort Lauderdale

Georgia

• Hector Santiago of Pura Vida-Latino Tapas Restaurant & Bar, Atlanta

New Jersey

• Chef J. Geoffrey at The Copperfish Restaurant in Cape May

The donations will go to the relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts.

If you are a restaurant and want to participate in this great endeavor, please contact: [email protected]