By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala
More than 600 guests, including celebrities, attended the 12th annual FedEx/St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala, co-founded by Daisy Fuentes, at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami on May 17. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, feasted on a four-course dinner and bid on auction items such as the Miami Heat Experience – autographed Shane Battier shoes along with 4, suite tickets in the FedEx Suite (center court) during a 2014-2015 regular season game. Celebrities in attendance included well-known television and radio personalities and musicians: Ana Maria Canseco, Raul Gonzalez, Alberto Sardiñas, Pamela Silva Conde, Jon Secada, Charytin Goyco, among others.
The highlight of the night came courtesy of Cuban stars, heartthrob, Jencarlos Canela and Grammy Award winning artist, Willy Chirino (dubbed the Billy Joel of Salsa) who performed their most famous songs, (individually and together) getting the crowd on the dance floor to celebrate the achievements of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Daisy Fuentes shared the following:
“Every year the FedEx/St. Jude Angels and Stars Gala highlights the amazing work that St. Jude does in countries around the world, especially in Latin America,” said Fuentes. “This stellar event is a celebration of its research discoveries because one child saved at St. Jude will save thousands more around the world.”
Chefs Support “No Kid Hungry”
Several of Miami’s top toques joined forces to raise funds to end childhood hunger and celebrate this year’s Taste of the Nation South Florida (to be held on June 17 at the Loews) with a kick-off event at Tongue & Cheek. The culinary fête, hosted by The Chef’s Roundtable, featured comfort dishes reminiscent of each of the chefs’ childhood. Members of the Chef’s Roundtable include: Timon Balloo of Bocce Bar and SUGARCANE raw bar grill and Taste of the Nation’s restaurant chair; Todd Erickson of HaVen and Huahua’s Taqueria; Jamie DeRosa of Tongue & Cheek; Jessica Rothschild of Rock Star Pastries; Bret Pelaggi of Uvaggio; Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean and Frederick Delaire of Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
This elite group of chefs, named “The Chef’s Roundtable” by Mango King and event chairman, Allen Susser, is responsible for selecting over 50 of the city’s most prolific restaurants, chefs, sommeliers and mixologists to participate in this year’s most anticipated gastronomic event. For more information and tickets to the main event, visit: https://secure.nokidhungry.org/site/Ecommerce?store_id=2521.
MYKITA + Maison Martin Margiela
A select group of stylish guests braved a torrential downpour to gather at Maison Martin Margiela for the launch of the first MYKITA + Maison Martin Margiela eyewear collaboration on Thursday, May 15th in Miami’s Design District. MYKITA and Maison Martin Margiela are linked by a shared concept of the creative process – The reinterpretation of historical forms, radical experimentation with constructions and an unconventional approach to materials.
Larios on the Beach Re-opens
Last week, a host of celebrity guests joined Gloria and Emilio Estefan in celebrating the grand re-opening of the newly-remodeled Larios on Ocean Drive. Among the list of notable guests were: creator and host of popular Spanish-language show Sabado Gigante Don Franciso, Emmy award winning journalist, Belkys Nerey, Maria Celeste, WSVN television anchor and co-anchor of the popular entertainment show Deco Drive Louis Aguirre, Maria Elvira Salazar, CBS4 Entertainment Reporter Lisa Petrillo, artists Carlos Betancourt and Romero Britto; Lea Black and singer Frankie Negrón. Guests enjoyed new menu items as well as signature Cuban specialties and danced to music by Grupo Tiempo al Tiempo, the restaurant’s live band, which plays every evening from Wednesday to Sunday.
In collaboration with the restaurant’s Executive Chef, Odell Torres, the Estefans have created a tempting new menu featuring traditional favorites as well as Cuban-inspired specialties. New menu offerings run the gamut, from sweet and salty bacon-wrapped maduros, and black bean hummus served with crisp plantain chips, to a fresh tropical ceviche and a sizzling chicken vaca frita. Fans of Larios on the Beach will also be happy to know that the restaurant’s signature dishes and desserts remain on the menu. A new feature to the Larios on the Beach’s menu is the Triple C: “Calorie Conscious Cuban” – a selection of delicious, guilt-free Cuban staples created by Gloria herself.
