BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ- Many community members came out to support the Berkeley Heights Diversity Council and a new Argentine food restaurant at last Thursday's "Just Gather" event held by the council at Patria Station Café in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
People gathered outside on the warm fall evening to catch up with familiar faces. Inside, Patria owners Carolina Zokalski and Diego DiFalco greeted community members from behind the counter, serving homemade empanadas and pastries.
Diversity Council member and Berkeley Heights resident Ayana Joseph said it was great to see so many community members come out, especially young people as they are the future of the township and thus its diversity initiatives.
Damian Facey, a fellow member of the council, echoed Joseph’s thoughts.
“We are so thankful to be in a community filled with people of all different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to share,” Facey said. To see so many community members, our police, town council members and political candidates come to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month whilst supporting our new neighbors Carolina and Diego and their new restaurant was remarkable and embraced the welcoming spirit of our community.”
Zokalski said she and her husband hope to continue connecting with new community members to introduce them to their authentic Argentine cuisine.
The couple are renowned professional tango dancers and former owners of a dance school in Summit. During the pandemic, they turned a passion for serving friends authentic Argentine food and sharing their culture and entertainment into a second business.
Diversity Council member and resident Pam Yoss intends that last week’s “Just Gather" event will be the first of many.
Yoss said, “We were glad to see so many embrace our idea that we all are looking for ways to "Just Gather" and we hope to plan more opportunities for the community to come together again soon.”
Judging by the smiling faces outside Patria, Berkeley Heights residents can look forward to more Diversity Council events to come this fall.
Originally published in TAPinto Berkeley Heights on October 18, 2021
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