Employees from The Palace Gardens, an assisted living and memory support community in Homestead, are accustomed to caring for elderly residents, but the aftermath of Hurricane Irma offered an opportunity to lend a helping hand to people in the Lower Keys. The community’s bus and a loaded supply truck left the community and were escorted by City of Homestead Police to Mile Marker 15 to serve hot meals and leave supplies. Elizabeth Martinez, director of sales for The Palace Gardens, put the wheels in motion for the relief mission. The Palace Coral Gables executive chef Ken Wilbanks and Palace Gardens sous chef Orlando Casanova coordinated the menu and supplies. Barbecue ribs, roasted chicken, yellow rice, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and potato salad and corn on the cob were prepared and packed for serving. They brought nonperishable food to give to local chefs cooking in the Keys and water provided from the 10 Palace communities.
