BritWeek Miami, the annual celebration of British culture and industry excellence in South Florida, kicked-off its series of events for a second year on Thursday, March 6, with the second annual UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Great Business Innovation Awards Gala at The Viceroy Hotel in downtown Miami. The evening gala and awards honored the most innovative British companies and individuals. The 2014 Entrepreneur of The Year Award was presented to Sean Yazbeck by Her Majesty’s Consul General, Kevin McGurgan OBE, of the British Consulate-General Miami. After winning season five of Donald Trump’s The Apprentice, the British expat set-up the telecommunications services company, WAVSYS, which today is an Inc 500 Fastest Growing Company in America, employing more than 500 people and providing over $100 million of services. A portion of the proceeds resulting from this year’s BritWeek Miami will benefit the Little Dreams Foundation – recording artist Phil Collins’ non-profit charity organization that has recently started its operation in South Florida to help advance the youth and children with an artistic and musical talent.

On February 21, Fisher Island Club hosted an exclusive interactive dinner, “Starry Night: An Evening with Tyler Florence,” in conjunction with the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. More than 70 Fisher Island Club members and VIPs attended the event inside the Club’s historic Vanderbilt Mansion.  Chef Florence personally visited each table to explain how he skillfully prepared the dishes. All proceeds from the dinner benefited the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University.