At the crossroads of gastronomy and conservation, Ocean Soul is a tribute to the sea where flavor and purpose meet. Created by Global Coralition and produced by Un Tenedor Dorado, this benefit dinner brings together acclaimed chefs María Elena Marfetán of Uruguay and Chef Tita Páez of the Dominican Republic for an evening devoted to coral reef and mangrove restoration. Hosted at Aguají Restaurant in The Ocean Club Costa Norte, Ocean Soul invites guests to experience the ocean through taste and emotion, turning each dish into a gesture of care for the planet.
Ocean Soul is a charitable dining experience that raises funds for Global Coralition’s coral reef restoration and marine education projects in the Dominican Republic and beyond. The event brings together donors, ocean advocates, media, and thought leaders in an immersive celebration of marine life, highlighting the urgent need to protect coral reefs as one of Earth’s most vital ecosystems.
THE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE
“The ocean as origin, nourishment, and hope”
A four-hands tasting dinner where the ocean will be the central protagonist. Each dish will tell a story about marine ecosystems, reef life, and the deep connection between humankind and the sea. Proposed six-course tasting menu:
1.Living Waters
2.Under Current
3.Southern Currents
4.Atlantic Depths
5.Sweet Tide
6.Ocean Breeze
EVENT ACTIVITIES
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Live Music by Lena Dardelet
Six-course charity dinner
Short presentations by Global Coralition representatives, collaborators and guest chefs
**Dress code: Ocean Elegance (blue, white, or natural tones)
About the Chefs
Chef Inés Páez Nin – “Chef Tita”
Dominican Republic
Ambassador of the New Dominican Cuisine and founder of the IMA Foundation, Chef Tita has become a leading advocate for sustainability, local producers, and food as a tool for social change. Her cooking celebrates the richness of Dominican biodiversity and the connection between community and ocean.
Chef María Elena Marfetán – Lo de Tere
Uruguay
A pioneer of sustainable seafood and education on responsible fishing, Chef Marfetán is one of Latin America’s leading female voices in marine gastronomy. Her philosophy revolves around respect for ecosystems and the conscious use of marine resources.