By Kathy Chouteau
The Richmond Chamber of Commerce joined together with other chambers including the Bayfront, Oakland Latino, El Cerrito, Crockett and the 23rd Street Merchants Association for a “Mega Mixer” at El Agave Azul in Richmond Monday night.
About 150 people from the East Bay’s local business community made key connections over the restaurant’s tasty Mexican delights such as chimichangas, quesadillas, chicken wings and tortilla chips.
At the event, Vernon Whitmore, executive director of the Richmond Chamber, broke the news that his Chamber was selected by the Economic Development Committee to handle Taste of Richmond next year. Taste of Richmond is a lively culinary celebration in the city highlighting local restaurants, caterers and beverage makers through tastings, special menus and live music.
“We want to include all [of] West Contra Costa County,” Whitmore said. “We want everybody there to support the restaurants in this area.” The Standard will keep the community posted as future plans for Taste of Richmond develop.
Whitmore, who doubles as president of the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council, also announced the annual Hug-a-Bear will take place Dec. 10, and that retiring Police Chief Bisa French will be honored. He encouraged the community to bring a teddy bear to donate to police and fire responders to give to distressed kids.
Other chamber leaders later took the floor to draw raffle winners for donated prizes of wine, chocolates and more. It was announced that the “New Year Mega Mixer” will be Jan. 12 at La Strada Restaurant in San Pablo.
Along with Whitmore, other Richmond representatives in the crowd included City Councilmember and Urban Tilth Executive Director Doria Robinson; Tony Tamayo, chief of staff for the Richmond mayor; John Ziesenhenne of M.A. Hays Insurance and his family; Linda Whitmore of the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council and her sons Chris and Andrew; Sarah Wally, executive director of Richmond Main Street Initiative; Tamara Shiloh of the Multicultural Bookstore and Just Imagine KidZ; Nakele Rechenauer, president of the Richmond Rotary Club; Tiffany Harris, executive director of the Bay Area Girls Club; Zach Chouteau of Justice Design News and the Richmond Chamber; and many more.
