Fuente Dinner with the Masters, a Night to Remember, by Tommy Zman
It was billed as “Dinner With the Masters” and I can tell you first hand that this affair held on October 3, was a first class event that surely lived up to its name.
The scene was the Avenue A Club in Newark, New Jersey, a renovated factory from the early 1,900’s that is not your average, everyday event hall by any means. The place oozes with nostalgic cool from top to bottom with its ultra-high ceilings featuring its pipe & duct work, brick walls, hardwood floors, and, of course, the owner’s private collection of classic and exotic automobile excellence. The floors are lined with everything from Model T’s, American muscle cars, Euro-exotica, and even motorcycles from various eras. This was just a spectacular venue for a group of cigars smokers who came out to support the industry and a great charitable cause as well.
The guest of honor was the gracious and lovely, Ms. Cynthia Fuente, the woman who is affectionately known as the “first lady of cigars.” She and the good folks from Fuente made their way up to Jersey, not only to enjoy an amazing evening of camaraderie, gourmet fare, and premium hand rolled goodness, but they also collected donations for their wonderful charity – The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation, which was founded in 2001 by the Fuente and Newman families to help children in the cigar producing region of the Dominican Republic. Their heartfelt mission: providing a significant humanitarian impact to communities in the DR resulting in a better quality of life to those who experience a lack of education, poor access to health care, nutrition & who have little or no sustainable employment.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour of tantalizing hors d’oeuvres as we walked the show room floor, oogling and ahhhh-ing at the testosterone-laden machinery. Those poor girls parading around with the trays of buffalo shrimp, rice balls, and beef-steak couldn’t walk two feet without me pouncing on them like a jungle cat on a wounded zebra. I’m a noted gavone extraordinaire when it comes to pre-game appetizers, and I truly do apologize to anyone I inadvertently shoved, elbowed, or sent tumbling upside down into the club owner’s Shelby Cobra. My bad.
The dinner bell rung as we headed upstairs to the dining area where a goody bag filled with handrolled tobacco goodness brandishing the Arturo Fuente moniker awaited the guests. A gourmet buffet filled with delicious everything was served as well as a scotch tasting, compliments of the people at Ardberg. It was a decadent combination of upscale adult treats that had the crowd of 150 plus in the most relaxed and festive mood.
During coffee and dessert, Cynthia took to the mic, fielding questions from the guests. People were genuinely excited to talk to Ms. Fuente who afterwards greeted and took photos with every single person who approached her. I was most fortunate to spend several moments with this incredible lady, discussing the future of the cigar industry and where Fuente was headed in a world filled with anti-smoking zealots.
“We have never been more positive, determined, and exited to be in the cigar business,” Cynthia affirmed with total conviction. “Everyone in this business – we are like one big family, and a family sticks together no matter what obstacles they face in order to live long and enjoy the prosperity that we all deserve.”
The grand finale for the evening was a raffle with baskets and door prizes of luxury, including a full box of Arturo Fuente Anejos billed as one of the world’s rarest cigars, (they feature a luscious dark maduro wrapper that is carefully aged by artisans in cognac barrels.) Of course, that was the first prize to go, and I would have certainly jumped all over it as well. And again, the proceeds went to the Fuente’s foundation, garnering a record number of raffle ticket sales. I have said many times before, the cigar smoking community truly is the most generous and warm-hearted group of people on this earth.
I can tell you all first hand that this was an event for the ages and I’m sure we all agree that next year couldn’t be soon enough for another night of camaraderie, and cigar smoking excellence.
JR Cigars Blog with the Zman
