By:  Mary Jo Almeida Shore

It felt like the setting of an episode from the old television show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,at theblack-tie birthday celebration for William H. Dean, CEO of Washington D.C.-based engineering firm M.C. Dean, which was held at his newly renovated Miami Beach estate villa Terra Veritatis earlier this month.  The grand affair was hosted by philanthropist/nightlife impresario/chairman of Capponi Construction Group- Michael Capponi, and Sarah Arison, Board of Trustees member for the National YoungArts Foundation.  Read the rest of this entry »

Geoffrey Zakarian, Sunny Anderson, & Guy Fieri

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
and Maryanne Salvat 

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) is more than just a four-day Bacchanal for fans and foodies. It’s unofficially known as “Spring Break for chefs.”  Where else can “chef-lebrities” (the Rock Stars of this decade), play on the sand day and night in the heart of winter? Here’s a rundown of some of the most fun events during SOBEWFF- that provided close celeb-chef encounters. Read the rest of this entry »

By: Maryanne Salvat  

Wine Week at Piazzetta Marketplace & Restaurant 

Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach will host Wine Week at Piazzetta Marketplace & Restaurant throughout the week until Friday, March 22 with special appearances by Chef Michele Mazza.  While sharing in a delicious taste of Italy, guests will enjoy a stimulating collection of Italian wines with complimentary tastings presenting a new theme each day including crisp to light, sweet to dry and full bodied to light bodied. A Wine Expert will be present to enlighten the experience and offer a sensory experience for your palette. Sampled wines will be available for purchase at a ten percent discount during the day of the sampling. Piazzetta’s Wine Corner features a collection of Italian current wines including Chianti Classico and Brunello from Tuscany, as well as a wide variety of wines from around world with an emphasis on private vintages. Lunch seating is available from noon to 3:00PM. Dinner seating is available from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Seating is limited. To make a reservation for Wine Week at Piazzetta Marketplace & Restaurant, call 305.918.6816.  

FUNKSHION

FUNKSHION: Fashion Week Miami Beach is a four day long event that provides an intelligent, innovative platform for progressive, established, and emerging designers to showcase their collections to media, celebrities, and international buyers. Beginning Wednesday, March 20, FUNKSHION: Fashion Week Miami Beach is a four day/evening long event that provides an intelligent, innovative platform for progressive, established, and emerging designers to showcase their collections to media, celebrities, international buyers, and select style makers. The shows are geared towards designer diffusion collections and innovative lifestyle brands; RSVP:  collins@funkshion.com.

 Pulse 2.0: Late Night at the New World Symphony 

The New World Symphony will present a revamped version of its original classical music / nightclub-style event titled Pulse 2.0: Late Night at the New World Symphony on Friday, March 22, 9:30 p.m. at the New World Center.  The event is designed to integrate contemporary classical music with electronica music into an evening-long presentation to help attract new audiences for the art form.  Pulse 2.0 is sponsored in part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Pulse 2.0 will feature Miami-based DJ Sean Drake, who has held residencies at the Vagabond, Pawn Shop, Shadow Lounge, NFA & Liquid.  DJ Sean Drake will spin lounge music between two sets of classical music, featuring composers such as Mozart, Shostakovich, Guillaume Connesson and Steve Reich.  The night concludes with DJ Drake’s last set—a dance party in the main performance hall.  Also, “Pulse Unplugged,” a 15-minute set of orchestral music in the style of MTV’s Unplugged series, in which Fellows will perform a few of the ensemble pieces without amplification in the pristine and intimate environment of SunTrust Pavilion, will take place during following the second orchestral set.  Pulse 2.0 will also feature a mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts. The event will utilize the flexibility of the New World Center’s concert hall, simulating a late-night lounge setting, featuring projections to accompany the electronica music.  New World Symphony Fellows will be located on stage lifts, while other portions of the main stage will be lowered to the floor, allowing attendees to walk among the performers throughout the evening.  In addition, some performers will be located on the hall’s satellites stages, positioned throughout the room, and the hall’s seating will be retracted, allowing additional space for dancing and socializing.  Tickets to Pulse: Late Night at the New World Symphony are just $25 and are available by calling the New World Symphony box office at 305.673.3331, or online at www.nws.edu.   Additional information about the New World Symphony may be found online at www.nws.edu.  

31^st Annual American Red Cross Ball

The American Red Cross South Florida Region will hold its 31^st Annual American Red Cross Ball on Saturday, March 23, at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne. The American Red Cross Ball is the cannot-miss event of the social calendar, with more than 400 prominent and influential community leaders and philanthropists in attendance for a night of elegance, delectable cuisine, graceful décor, music and dancing. Since 1982, the Red Cross ball has been established as one of Miami’s most prestigious social fundraising events. In 2012, the American Red Cross Ball raised more than $500,000 in support of the local disaster response programs, assistance to veterans and their families, and lifesaving courses offered by the American Red Cross in Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. Marie-Ilene and Thomas A. Whitehurst will be the chairpersons of the 2013 American Red Cross Ball. Premier Beverage Company is donating the wine and champagne for this event and Bacardi USA is donating the spirits. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 305.728.2512.

HINT Water=WMC Survival

With the Winter Music Conference taking place in the heart of South Beach and Spring starting this week, staying hydrated and keeping your skin protected from the sun is an absolute must! HINT Water makes the perfect option and is a great alternative to all the sugary beverages and sodas out. The warm weather brings the constant need for a thirst-quenching and hydrating beverage. With just a “hint” of fruit flavor, drinking water has become more fun and delicious tasting.  HINT comes in ten unique flavors including Watermelon, Blackberry, Pomegranate-Tangerine, Strawberry-Kiwi, Raspberry-Lime, Mango-Grapefruit, Lime, Pear, Honeydew-Hibiscus and Cucumber. Your skin has been left pale and lifeless because of winter so before you even think of hitting the beach or stepping foot into a swimsuit and frying yourself on the first sunny day you should think of using the G.M. Collin SPF 30 High Protection Cream, an ultra-light, water-resistant, non-occlusive sunscreen formulated exclusively with 100% natural mineral filters providing highly effective UV ray protection. Your skin will be more sensitive to the UV rays during the first sun exposures and protection is very important especially if you are attending WMC and will be standing, dancing and walking around for a good 12 hours each day in the hot blistering sun. Don’t get sun burnt on day 1 and ruin your other days left. So as you’re splashing around at a WMC pool party this spring, make sure to stay hydrated with HINT and protected with G.M. Collin Skincare.

 Beg for Mercy  

Should you find yourself imbibing in more than a “recommended” share of cocktails during WMC-consider packing a can of Mercy® a new caffeine-free and naturally flavored, functional beverage that helps to prevent hangovers. The creators of this party/after-party companion boast that it is a “miracle in a can,” and can “prevent hangovers, detoxify the body, boost the immune system, alleviate alcohol flush and replenish key nutrients.”  It’s all actually pretty scientific, as Mercy is comprised of a kajillion vitamins and a billion grams of each of those (don’t quote us on these figures). On a serious note, Mercy is a custom blend of amino acids, anti-oxidants and vitamins, formulated to replenish key nutrients and jump-start the body’s natural defenses, helping stave off dreaded hangover symptoms like headache and nausea. It is also the only hangover-prevention drink that contains B1, a vitamin proven to help offset alcohol’s negative effects- including liver damage! We are NOT making this up- we have actually researched this. Mixed with alcohol or served on its own, Mercy helps neutralize the dangerous alcohol by-product acetaldehyde and unlike many other functional beverages, Mercy is cold-filled and canned, which preserves the drink’s vitamins and nutrients by shielding them from heat and light. Each 8.4-ounce can of Mercy consumed during a night out, will counter the after-effects of up to five alcoholic beverages.  If you drink more than that, well, we are guessing a mere hangover is NOT your biggest problem.  With only 60 calories per can, Mercy appeals to health-and weight-conscious consumers and it actually tastes kind of like ginger ale. Mercy is available in select bars, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels in major cities and viawww.drinkmercy.com.   

BrazilFoundation

BrazilFoundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support social projects in Brazil, will hold its second annual gala in Miami on Tuesday, March 26 at the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Sponsored by Graff Diamonds, Crédit Agricole and Carla Amorim, the evening will honor influential social investors and bring together over 400 leaders from the worlds of business, diplomacy, academia, fashion and art to generate resources for the community-led initiatives funded by the BrazilFoundation. Television and radio host Pedro Andrade will act as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Rising international star Naldo, who recently toured with Fat Joe in Brazil, will be making his official U.S. debut with a live musical performance at the charity gala; for more information visit www.Brazilfoundation.com.  

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF) took over our fair city for four days and nights of sheer joy filled with decadent tasting, sipping and celebration. From February 21-24, culinary giants from all over the nation gathered on our shores for America’s most prestigious (and fun!) gourmet gathering.  While we can’t tell you everything that went on- really, we physically cannot- we will share some of this year’s most memorable moments.  Check back next week for even more of the festival fun- that could not fit in just one column!

It All Started with The Q

More than 3, 000 excited guests joined a newly svelte, Paula Deen on Thursday evening at Moët Hennessy’s The Q, the official kick-off to the SOBEWFF- a reunion of sorts for the many foodies who had experienced a void since last year’s festival.  Deen’s very-buff son, Bobby Deen, was also on-hand for the ocean-side party, presented by Omaha Steaks, in an enormous tent on the sand.  Read the rest of this entry »

By: Maryanne Salvat

The term “Morning After” could be the result of more than one scenario: a long night of party bliss or one that you may not (would rather not) remember. Thankfully, lifestyle designer Rebecca Minkoff has redefined the “Morning After” and has bestowed positive attributes along with fanciful colors as fashion lovers carry her signature “MAB” (Morning After Bag) all about town.

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure to sit down with the delightful designer during her personal appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue Raleigh promoting her Ready-to-Wear Spring 2013 line.

As we chatted about the line, I asked her about the inspiration for her fresh and delicate looks for spring. Minkoff discussed that she had casually picked up a book by famed photographer Slim Aarons, best known for his celebrity and socialite photos from the 1960’s. The beach portraits caught her attention. She went on to say that the beauty and simplicity of the time period motivated her to create the embroidery details and in-house digital prints with mixes of florals and bright colors along with flared–pants, mid-thigh dresses, and peplum tops that flatter all body types.

We also spoke about her fabulous handbags and shoes. This season’s Italian laser-cut leather, fringes, zippers, studs, and tassels, in all colors graced the runway- mint being the most popular of the season. Minkoff mentioned that studs are a “must” on all of her handbags and more importantly that they are all affordably priced.

On a more casual note, we discussed the topic of motherhood and how her life and style aesthetic had changed since having a toddler around the house. She mentioned that she now wears flats on the way to the office and changes into her heels when she arrives and that she’s more casual on the weekends, but for the most part that her style remains the same.  When asked about designers that she most admires, Minkoff expressed that she had recently finished reading the biography about Coco Chanel and respects her forward thinking and strong work ethic. I also asked her if she would consider a swimsuit line, considering that summer is right around the corner. Minkoff said, “Maybe in the future.”

Minkoff exclusively designed a collection line of handbags for Saks Fifth Avenue. During her personal appearance several pieces from the collection quickly sold out, making it quite clear that lifestyle brand Rebecca Minkoff has a very strong following and quite the future ahead of her.

By: Maryanne Salvat

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF) 

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (OSF), an internationally-recognized nonprofit organization that provides computer vocational training for orphans and disadvantaged children throughout the developing world, will celebrate its 12th anniversary on Friday, March 15, with its first Annual Miami Fundraising Gala at the Epic Hotel in downtown Miami. This is the New York City-based Foundation’s first fundraising event in Florida and it will honor orphaned, impoverished and disadvantaged children throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Two young, orphaned children from the OSF program in Cali, Colombia are being flown in as guest honorees. The evening begins at 8:00 p.m. with celebrity red carpet arrivals, passed hors d’oeuvres, open bar and a silent auction followed up a three-course dinner, live auction and musical performance. “Scrubs” star, Judy Reyes, will preside as the mistress of ceremonies and live entertainment will be provided by Grammy nominated Cuban-American singer, song writer and actress Cucu Diamantes accompanied by a 10-piece band. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.orphanedstarfish.org/our-gala/.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami

Four Seasons Hotel Miami is offering interactive cooking classes taking place at different popup locations throughout the hotel. Classes are themed and utilize current flavors and ingredients distinct to the season. On Saturday, March 23, participants will learn how to recreate the traditional Sunday family dinner of Executive Chef Aaron Brooks. The three-course menu features: Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho, Key West Pink Shrimp; Chef Aarons Porchetta, Warm Salad of Roasted Butternut Squash and Local Greens, Home Made Pickled Red Pepper Salsa; and, Sarah’s Classic Apple Cobbler with Vanilla Cream and Caramel Sauce. Pop-up classes will be held everywhere from a poolside kitchen to a specially decorated private dining room. Creating an intimate hands-on setting for Chef Aaron Brooks and his team, each class will have a maximum of 18 participants. During the class, participants receive a welcome cocktail, wine and beer during class, a take-home gift bag and of course, plenty of treats. Cooking classes cost $75 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required, open to hotel guests and non-guests alike. For more information or reservations, call 305. 381.3190 or visit www.edgerestaurantmiami.com.

Philanthro-Pub: Tobacco Road Hosts Communities In School Fundraiser

On March 21 join Tobacco Road for a philanthropic cocktail party in support of Communities In Schools of Miami or CIS. Young professionals will mingle while enjoying two hours of open bar and live entertainment for $20 at the landmark venue from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. The Young Professionals Network brings people together who are interested in networking with other like-minded individuals while supporting a great cause, keeping students in schools. Proceeds from the evening’s event will directly benefit CIS’ mentoring, tutoring, career counseling, after school and summer programs. Tickets can be purchased at the door. http://www.cismiami.org/

46^th Annual Golf Classic in Memory of “Bebe” Rebozo                    

Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will host its 46^th Annual Golf Classic in Memory of “Bebe” Rebozo on Monday, March 18 in coordination with the luxury automobile dealer THE COLLECTION in Coral Gables and the Audi quattro^® Cup 2013. The tournament will be held at The Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club. Participants will not only enjoy a memorable golf experience, but also raise funds for the Clubs’ youth development programs. Chaired by Ben Walker from CCU Inc., the event is expected to raise more than $125,000 for the Clubs’ programs. Tournament registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. The tournament will kick off with a putting contest at 11:00 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. All golfers will receive a gift bag, complimentary parking, green fees, cart, range balls, lunch, on-course chicken wings and liquor shots provided by Hooter’s Coral Way, and dinner at the awards banquet and ceremony at The Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club. Golfers can participate in activities and games throughout the day. The 5:30 p.m. awards banquet and ceremony will feature a delicious sit-down dinner, cocktails, and a raffle and silent auction featuring an array of great items from vacation stays, to weekend loans on select Audis, to sports memorabilia. The dress code for the awards banquet and ceremony is country club casual. For more information about sponsorship or underwriting opportunities, or to reserve a foursome, individual golfer or purchase dinner only tickets, please contact Astrid H. Ehrenstein at 305.446.9910 ext. 30, or via email at ahrenstein@bgcmia.org.

Expect Favorite Fair Foods + Plus New Delicious Dishes

Now in its 62^nd year, The Miami-Dade County Youth Fair & Exposition is bigger and better then ever.  This year, the Youth Fair is offering NEW food options to Fairgoers. With more than 170 food vendors, there is something to satisfy every palate. In addition to the favorite Youth Fair foods like popcorn, cotton candy, elephant ears, corn on the cob, pretzels and candy apples there are also new tasty treats including: Carly’s Seaside Grille Concession, Pickle Barrel Sirloin Tips, Amish Baking Company and many more. The Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition, known for generations as The Youth Fair, is a private, not-for- profit organization that has donated well over $10 million in scholarships, awards and cash premiums to Miami-Dade students and is dedicated to supporting education and South Florida agriculture.  The Youth Fair will take place from March 14-31; for more information visit www.fairexpo.com or call 305.223.7060.

BRIO Tuscan Grille, a BRAVO | BRIO Restaurant Group (BBRG) concept, opened a new location at The Falls in Miami, Fla. The restaurant, the eleventh BRIO Tuscan Grille in Florida, is located at 8888 SW 136 Street, Miami, FL. BRIO (meaning “lively” or “full of life”) is an upscale, affordable restaurant serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine. It brings the pleasure of the Tuscan country villa to the American city. The subtitle, “Tuscan Grille,” is descriptive of the menu that features oven-roasted steaks, chops, seafood, made-to-order pastas, flatbreads and entrée salads, similar to what one would find in an authentic ristorante in Tuscany. BRIO also offers an ample dessert menu, full wine list and cocktail book. BRIO’s motto is fashioned after the Tuscan philosophy of “To eat well, is to live well.”By opening the restaurant at The Falls, BRIO has created 90 full- and part-time jobs, including assistant managers, sous chef, prep/line cooks, wait staff, dishwashers, hosts/hostesses and bartenders.

This coming Tuesday, March 19 all BRIO locations are offering 50% off all ravioli dishes for National Ravioli Day.