Orlando, Fla., September 10, 2009 – Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, Fla. is giving back in accordance with its “Love All, Serve All” motto by helping to feed local area residents of the Homeless Assistance Center (Center).  On Thursday, September 17th, Chef Carlos Velez along with local ambassadors from Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, Fla. will volunteer to prepare and serve an evening meal to the 200 homeless men, women and children who live at the Center operated by Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. (BPHI).  The not-for-profit organization is committed to helping the homeless rebuild their lives so they can once again become productive citizens in the community.

“I am dedicated to donating my time in the community and it gives me great pleasure to prepare and serve food for the less fortunate of South Florida,” said Carlos Velez, Chef for Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, Fla.  Velez, a 10 year Hard Rock employee, also donates his time to the Ann Stork Foundation Celebrity Chef event and to the Las Olas Food and Wine Festival benefiting the American Lung Association.

In a take-off of televised competition, where the celebrity chefs must prepare a gourmet dinner with “surprise ingredients,” Chef Velez will be challenged to create a delicious dinner using only ingredients in the Center’s pantry.  Additional Hard Rock employees will then serve the evening meal to the residents.  The event is part of Hard Rock’s local “Ambassador Program,” in which the cafe staff makes it a priority to become a valuable community partner.  Hard Rock Ambassadors provide ongoing fundraising and volunteer services to a variety of charities and non-profit organizations vital to each community that each Hard Rock serves. 

WHAT:   
Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, FL Makes Dinner Possible for the Area’s Less Fortunate
       
WHEN:    
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Food preparation    1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Serving begins       5:00 p.m.

WHERE:   
Broward Partnership for the Homeless
920 NW 7th Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
954-832-7029

For more information, please visit www.hardrock.com or call Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, FL at 954-315-9112.

About Broward Partnership for the Homeless
Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Inc. (BPHI), a 501©(3) non-profit organization, is committed to reducing homelessness in Broward County. It operates the Broward County Central Homeless Assistance Center (Center) on the Huizenga Family campus in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Center is a 200-bed emergency housing facility for homeless men, women and families with children that offers on site solution-focused programs to help the homeless rebuild their lives so they can once again become productive citizens of the community.

Since opening its doors in 1999, more than 13,500 homeless individuals have taken advantage of the services provided by BPHI – in addition to a safe secure place to stay and nutritional meals, BPHI residents receive mental health counseling, primary medical and dental care, substance abuse treatment, case management, education, vocational training, employment services, and support services for the families including day care for the children.

About Hard Rock International
With a total of 157 venues in 52 countries, including 127 cafes and 11 Hotels/Casinos, Hard Rock International is one of the world's most globally recognized brands. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. In addition to the two flagship Seminole Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla., Hard Rock Hotels/Casinos are located in Las Vegas, Biloxi, Orlando, Chicago, San Diego, Tulsa, Pattaya, Bali and Macau. Additional hotel and casino projects have been announced in Penang, scheduled to open in 2009; Singapore in 2010; Palm Springs, Atlanta and Panama, scheduled to open in 2011; Hungary, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to open in 2012. Hard Rock International is owned by Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. For further details on Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos, visit www.hardrockhotels.com. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.