By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Cultural Collection at The James Royal Palm The James Royal Palm celebrated its official launch party along with the debut of Miami’s first-ever Cultural Collection on February 27, alongside marquee partners:  the New World Symphony (NWS), Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) and Public Schoolfashion house, at a unique gathering, which brought these creative forces under one roof on the same night for the first time. More than 500 VIP influencers, socialites and philanthropists came together to experience the unveiling of their exclusive collaborative pieces for an unforgettable night dedicated to the arts. The collaboration united Miami’s cultural leaders to showcase this new approach to Miami hospitality. Stylish guests dodged an unseasonal drizzle while engaging in the multi-sensory experiences throughout the evening.  MOCA transformed The James Royal Palm’s South Shore bar into a private screening room, showcasing the best of its Optic Nerve series, and a special installation by the TM Sisters was projected along the ceiling of the lobby entrance and pool deck. Read the rest of this entry »

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:  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 »

Iran Issa-Khan, Ann Getty, and Christina Getty-Maercks

By:  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore 

Ann Getty and John Hall Nelson celebrated J Nelson’s 12^th Anniversary and the publication of Ann Getty Interior Style with Swarovski Elements and Timo Weiland in Getty-Fabulous style at Mr. Nelson’s namesake design showroom with an extravaganza that quickly redefined ‘white-glove’ service, on Wednesday, February 20.  I knew from the moment that I opened the Peacock embossed hand letter-press invitation that we were in for a second-to-none experience of design, art, music and culinary delights.  

New York superstar fashion designer Timo Weiland was flown in to DJ for the evening, while artwork from Iran Issa-Khan, Fernando Baliño and Santiago Rubino hung throughout Mr. Nelson’s glorious space.  Over 250 guests from as far as Paris, London, Berlin, Cairo, New York and San Francisco were wined and dined in glorious style in a cocktail and dinner fete fit for sheer royalty.  White-gloved, tuxedoed butlers poured free-flowing Dom Perignon Rose, followed by tray after tray of Foie Gras unlike any served throughout Miami this season.  Read the rest of this entry »

By:  Dr.  Mary Jo Almeida-Shore

Wine, Women & Shoes- a Perfect Match

One of the most fun afternoons to date took place on February 7, as more than 450 ladies slipped into their stilettos and gathered for Wine, Women & Shoes, a lunch and shopping party at the Coral Gables Country Club in support of the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation (MCHF).  The wine was free flowing as guests shopped signature items throughout a bazaar that was set up in the lobby outside of the ballroom. As excited ladies showed off their fabulous shoes and purchases, hunky guys, known as “Shoe Guys” carrying silver trays showcased signature auction items.  Perhaps it was the wine, or the irresistible shoe hunks (our guess is that both factors were at play) but an astounding $450,000 was raised to support MCHF, not bad for a day’s work!  Read the rest of this entry »