The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce will present the Adela and Cesar Gonzmart Award to the Eugene C. Iavarone Family at its Annual Gala to be held at the Columbia Restaurant Saturday, September 15th beginning at 6:30 PM. Owners and operators of Ybor City’s iconic Carmine’s Restaurant, the Iavarone Family will receive the community’s highest honor at the Chamber’s 47th Gala.
The Iavarones are third generation restaurateurs and have been in business in Ybor City for over thirty years. “Gene,” the family’s patriarch, established their first restaurant in Ybor City in 1981 and moved to their current location in 1989. Today, brothers Carmine and Gino, along with their mother Mary, run the family business at 1802 East 7th Avenue.
“The Iavarone Family is being recognized for their on-going contribution to the character and quality of the Ybor experience,” states Tom Keating, President & CEO of the Ybor City Chamber. “Carmine’s is Tampa’s true “fusion restaurant” with their authentic Italian, Spanish and Cuban menu. As the sign on their newly renovated façade states - they represent the ‘Flavors of Ybor’.”
The award is named after Adela and Cesar Gonzmart, the third generation of Ybor’s Gonzmart family who helped build the Columbia into Florida’s oldest and the world’s largest Spanish restaurant. This annual award recognizes an individual, family or corporation who distinguishes themselves through unique achievements to promote the cultural preservation and commercial revitalization of the Ybor Community.
The Ybor City Chamber’s Annual Gala is the traditional beginning of the Latin social season. Ybor City is the source of Tampa’s Latin flavor and one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. For information on sponsorship, program ads, silent auction donations and attendance contact Anna Ramos, Events Coordinator at aramos@ybor.org or 813.248.3712 x22.