Cheesesteaks for Charity at Pat’s King of Steaks to Benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation  

In an effort to join the fight against childhood cancer, Pat’s King of Steaks Guest Chef Series will feature Master Mixologist Owen Rothstein’s lemon-inspired sandwich to benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation on Thursday, June 9 from 11 AM – 4 PM. The event will also feature a lemonade stand hosted by the local Ventresca family. Pat’s King of Steaks Guest Chef Series brings special cheesesteaks from celebrity chefs for great causes. Guest chef Owen Rothstein will cook up a delicious and mildly healthy, lemon pepper ribeye tossed with pan-roasted sunchokes, emerald kale and tart, dried cherries topped with Tavoliere cheese whiz. The “wit” option comes with shallot-lemon confit. Each cheesesteak is $10, which will be matched by Pat’s King of Steaks to benefit ALSF. Culinary excellence provided by Chef Dr. Neil Gottlieb. Philanthropic generosity provided by Frankie Olivieri. Members of the City Representative’s Office will be in attendance. Each cheesesteak is $10, which will be matched by Pat’s King of Steaks. 

 The Food Truck Border Brawl

On June 11, some of the Garden State’s finest food trucks will go head to head with the Keystone State’s most creative mobile food eateries in the inaugural Food Truck Border Brawl at SteelStacks. The event, which takes place from noon-7 p.m., will feature eight food trucks from the New Jersey Food Truck Association going up against eight food trucks from the Greater Lehigh Valley Mobile Food Alliance and Philadelphia Mobile Food Association, with the winning truck taking home the “Best Overall Food Truck” Award and earning bragging rights for his or her state for the entire year. Tickets for the Food Truck Border Brawl, which takes place at PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, are $8 in advance and $10 day of the event and go on sale today, 10 a.m., at www.steelstacks.org and 610-332-3378. A special VIP Pass, which includes a Mu sikfest 2016 Mug and early access to the Border Brawl from 11 a.m.-noon to enjoy all of the food trucks without the crowds, is $21 in advance and $23 day of the event. All proceeds from Border Brawl ticket sales will go to support the nonprofit ArtsQuest’s free music, arts and education programming for the region, including Musikfest, the largest free music festival in the nation, set for Aug. 5-14.

11^TH Annual Great Chefs Event

On Tuesday, June 14, more than 45 of the best chefs from across the country and around the world will convene in Philadelphia for the 11th annual Great Chefs Event hosted by the Vetri Family restaurants and Vetri Community Partnership. The event will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Vetri Community Partnership. More than 1,200 guests will gather from 6-9 p.m. at the beautiful Urban Outfitters, Inc.’s corporate campus in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard for the culinary event of the year. The party will continue into the night at the equally in-demand After Party at Lo Spiedo for chefs, sponsors and VIP ticketholders. General admission and VIP tickets are currently on sale at www.vetricommunity.org.

Miami Fashion Week

Miami Fashion Week takes on a whole new form with honorary President Antonio Banderas featuring an impressive roster of Runway Shows and Master Classes with leading industry taste-makers from June 2-5, 2016 at Ice Palace Studios; for more information visit: www.Miamifashionweek.com.

#SpaceScooterMovement 

On June 5 at Marlins Park from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Space Scooter® (www.spacescooter-usa.com) is embarking on a nationwide tour with their highly anticipated Coast to Coast Challenge to get kids off the couch and set off for an adventure. Encouraging kids to embark on the #SpaceScooterMovement and tracking the total combined miles at each event, the tour will introduce America to a brand new way of “scooting.”  At the event, kids will be able to experience a Space Scooter® for themselves as they’ll ride on a custom made track, complete with a mix of terrain and US landmarks.  Each child’s ride time will be filmed, tracked and added to the official Space Scooter® Coast to Coast Challenge accumulator, which will display the cumulative distance covered throughout the tour. Already a sensation all across Europe and a smash hit at the American International Toy Fair, the Space Scooter® is a multi-functional scooter that provides not only hours, but also years of entertainment for anyone that loves being outside and engaged in active play. Featuring a patented design that is faster than a traditional kick scooter and an easier transportation vehicle than a bike, Space Scooter® is propelled forward by an up and down teeter-totter motion, the key feature of its unique design.

Sokai Sushi Bar

Inspired by artisanal culinary traditions from Peru and Japan, Executive Chef Nilton Castillo uses his extensive experiences and training to deliver international flavors to the table.   His diverse menu combines Peruvian and Japanese cuisine to create the Nikkei fusion menu that foodies have grown to love through restaurants like Nobu and others worldwide. Located at 10726 NW 74^th Street in Doral and 10141 West Flagler Street.

Miami Design District and Genuine Summer Series Presented by Lynx Grill and Cadillac

Sundown grill-outs, picnics, and movies…summer is truly here. On Friday, June 10^th from 6-9pm Lynx Grill and Cadillac present Sundown Grillout with James Beard Award Winning Chef and owner of The Genuine Hospitality Group, Michael Schwartz. Enjoy a three-course dinner prepared on a state-of-the-art Lynx grill, wine pairing and the opportunity to dine as the sun goes down in the heart of Miami’s Design District. As the face of the South Florida Restaurant Industry and recognized for his incredible seasonal food sourcing, Michael Schwartz will be showcasing dishes he enjoys grilling at home on his Lynx outdoor kitchen. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour of tray-passed wine & hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner comprised of seasonal and tropical inspired dishes. This event is the first of a Summer Series of exclusive culinary experiences held at the Design District, focusing on good food, good company, and the art of grilling.  For more information visit: https://thegenuinekitchen.com/miami-design-district-x-genuine-summer-series/

Jose Garces Kicks Off Summer School Culinary Classes!

Summer School at Volvér kicks off with the culinary opportunity of a lifetime! Join Iron Chef Jose Garces when he leads an intimate master-class for 12 lucky students. Guests will work alongside the James Beard award winner to prepare a menu of recipes selected by Chef Garces himself. This hands-on lesson will feature tips, techniques and tools straight from the modern master of Latin cuisine. Currently, Chef Garces is the owner and operator of more than a dozen restaurants across the country, plus a thriving event planning division and 40-acre Luna Farm. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from one of the country’s most gifted chefs and restaurateurs! $225/person. For tickets and the full schedule of events visit volverrestaurant.com.

Embracing the Contemporary: The Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Collection at the Philadelphia Art Museum

This month the Philadelphia Museum of Art will open a major exhibition entitled Embracing the Contemporary: The Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Collection. The exhibition will present one of this country’s finest collections of contemporary art, which includes outstanding works by some of the most influential European and American artists of the past half century, including Jasper Johns, Howard Hodgkin, Ellsworth Kelly, Jeff Koons, Brice Marden, Bruce Nauman, Gabriel Orozco, Charles Ray, and Cy Twombly. Many of these works have either been donated to the Museum or pledged as promised gifts.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Fundraiser Lemonade Days 

2016 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Lemon Roll Benefitting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation 

In her continuing efforts to raise funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer, Leeann Morris is hosting the 2016 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Lemon Roll during Alex’s Lemonade Days on Sunday, June 5 through Sunday, June 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Leeann has been busy recruiting other academies, gyms and sponsors to participate in the Lemon Roll. Her national network of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners will participate by holding their own fundraising events to raise money toward her goal of $4,000. The event will take place at World Class Martial Arts located at 2133 Macdade Boulevard.

Alex’s Original Lemonade Stand

Each June, on the Saturday of Alex’s Lemonade Days weekend, Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand is held. The stand invites Alex’s family, friends and all supporters of the battle against childhood cancer to an event complete with lemonade, food, games, crafts, face-painting, music and raffles. The inspiring event, held at Penn Wynne Elementary where Alex attended, includes a butterfly release to celebrate the lives of all children fighting cancer as well as those who lost their life to the disease. This year the stand will take place on June 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Alex’s “Original” is presented by Country Time and Volvo, with additional support from GEICO local office of Wynnewood, PA, Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms, Sila Heating & Air Conditioning, Dr. Ian Thomas-Springfield Orthodontics and Sabrina’s Café. The event is free to attend, but supporters can purchase Alex’s All Access passes, including a t-shirt, to cover all donations for activities and food; for more information visit: www.alexslemonade.org.

11^th Annual Great Chefs Event

On Tuesday, June 14, more than 45 of the best chefs from across the country and around the world will convene in Philadelphia for the 11th annual Great Chefs Event hosted by the Vetri Family restaurants and Vetri Community Partnership. The event will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and Vetri Community Partnership. More than 1,200 guests will gather from 6-9 p.m. at the beautiful Urban Outfitters, Inc.’s corporate campus in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard for the culinary event of the year. The party will continue into the night at the equally in-demand After Party at Lo Spiedo for chefs, sponsors and VIP ticketholders. General admission and VIP tickets are currently on sale at www.vetricommunity.org.

In addition to the stellar selection of food and drink, guests will have the opportunity to bid on silent and live auction items. Auction items include one-of-kind culinary experiences, such as private dinners with participating chefs, hard-to- get concert tickets, autographed memorabilia, and much more.

At the Great Chefs Event After Party at Lo Spiedo, VIP ticketholders and sponsors of the event will have the exclusive opportunity to rub elbows with all of the event’s talented chefs in a laid back setting. Acclaimed barbecue chef Adam Perry Lang will be behind the grill once again, joined for the first time by James Bead Award Outstanding Chef finalist Michael Solomonov who will be representing Federal Donuts. After Party guests can also count on additional bites from select food trucks and vendors, as well as specialty cocktails and entertainment. Read the rest here »

1986 Clothing Co.

1986 Clothing Co. is an inspirational clothing line that empowers people with disABILITIES and creates awareness in our community. Each design is unique and powerful, focusing on the positive attributes of people with disABILITIES. Upon checkout, you can choose from one of the participating charities and 10% will be donated to them. Each organization focuses on improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities; for more information or to shop the unique styles visit: www.1986ClothingCo.com.

Segafredo Bayside JukeBox Party 

From the partners of Segafredo L’Originale on Lincoln Road, Segafredo Bayside is hosting a one-night only Video JukeBox party. The centrally-located waterfront gem kicks off their first Video JukeBox night on Thursday May 26^th starting at 7pm with projection of requested music videos right after sunset. Customers will be able to choose from over 5,000 music titles and request their favorite music videos to play on the large projection screen. Helmed by VJ Juan Carlos, a veteran at the Lincoln Road location, tunes from all genres will be available from pop to rock to oldies, funk, house music and everything in between.

Jazz On The River at River Yacht Club

Jazz on the River, presented by the Miami Nice Jazz Festival, will take place on Thursdays at River Yacht Club. Beginning at 8:00 PM, the event series will feature a different lineup of coveted jazz artists every week.

Miami.com & INDULGE Miami Dinner Experience at Fontainebleau Miami Beach

On Wednesday, June 1, join in INDULGE & Miami.com at Fontainebleau Miami Beach for a truly one-of-a-kind culinary experience. World-recognized celebrity chefs Michael Mina and Scott Conant will be present to guide guests through a progressive evening of food and drinks in their Fontainebleau restaurants. The uniquely VIP, behind-the-scenes night – never before offered to the public – includes stops at Michael Mina 74, Scarpetta, StripSteak by Michael Mina and a special sweet send off from Fontainebleau’s Chez Bon Bon. The evening includes six luxurious dishes, three signature cocktails (including a housemade limoncello tasting at Scarpetta and the famed Japanese whisky ceremony at StripSteak), a take-home dessert, INDULGE gift bags, and the chance to meet and interact with two of Americas best chefs. INDULGE Editor in Chief Evan Benn will host the evening.  PRICE:  $150 (includes tax and tip). Limited to 30 guests.

TICKETS:   http://indulgemiami.bpt.me/

Spring Chicken Hatches in Ft. Lauderdale

John Kunkel, CEO & Founder of 50 Eggs, Inc. is excited to expand upon the concept of Southern-inspired cuisine. The opening of Spring Chicken in Fort Lauderdale is the first step in the new chain’s expansion plans. The second iteration of this particular fast casual concept is 50 Eggs’ only current venture outside of the Miami-Dade area, with openings in Miami Beach and Miami International Airport to follow in the coming year. To celebrate the arrival of Spring Chicken, the restaurant will be hosting a Grand Opening party in partnership with Jack & Jill Children’s Center. On Thursday, June 9th, between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., all South Florida residents are invited to come sample the offerings and enjoy free food and libations. The family-friendly event will include live entertainment, local musicians, a country and western photo booth and a signature blend of fresh fare, dynamic ambiance, stylized interiors and scrupulous service. Spring Chicken is excited to give back to their new community by donating a portion of the restaurant’s first month proceeds to the foundation.

http://50eggsinc.ticketleap.com/springchickenftl/

Taste of Coral Gables Restaurant Week

To kick off the three-week event, the BID hosts Taste of the Gables presented by Johnnie Walker Whiskey and Bailey’s Irish Cream distributed by Diageo at the luxurious Westin Colonnade Hotel on June 2^nd, where guests 21+ can taste mouthwatering bites, savory and sweet, from the participating restaurants of Coral Gables Restaurant Week, including Bulla, Sushi Samba, Swine, Red Koi and The Local, to name only a few. Guests make their way around the Westin Colonnade’s gorgeous marble-tiled fountain rotunda as they visit each restaurant’s table overflowing with delicious plates waiting to be tasted. Enjoy the event’s open bar by presenting sponsors and award-winning brands Johnnie Walker Whiskey and Bailey’s Irish Cream to sip on classic cocktails for the perfect food and beverage pairing. After indulging in the best food Coral Gables has to offer, vote for your favorite dish of the night as the restaurants battle for the renowned and reputable title of “Best TASTE of the Gables”, won by Bulla Gastrobar last year and Uvaggio in 2014. This year, the winner will also get to display the first traveling Spoon trophy for a year. Tickets for this acclaimed event are on sale now for $100. For a chance to win tickets to Taste of the Gables, participate in the BID’s first Social Scavenger Hunt for an exciting evening of fun with family and friends in the Gables. Make sure to follow @shopcoralgables for further details!

Coral Gables Restaurant Week 

As Coral Gables Restaurant Week officially begins on June 6^th, guests are encouraged to start making reservations to restaurants they discovered and loved at Taste of the Gables! The chefs at each restaurant work passionately and interminably each year to create a unique Coral Gables Restaurant Week Prix Fixe menu better than the year before, highlighting new techniques and food staples distinctive to that restaurant. Coral Gables’ centralized valet system on Miracle Mile is still in full effect and pricing has been reduced to $5.00 for every guest’s convenience.

By: Dr. Mary Jo Almeida Shore

Co-founders of the Little Dreams Foundation, Phil and Orianne Collins, celebrated the foundation’s third annual Keep Dreaming: Brunch on the Beach at the hottest hotel of the moment, Faena Hotel Miami Beach, on Sunday, May 15, 2016.

The event began at 11 a.m. with a cocktail reception in the newly opened Faena Theater and featured a silent auction and special performances from the 2016 Little Dreamers and WYK featuring Phil and Orianne’s son, Nicholas Collins, on the drums. Afterwards, guests dined at PAO by Paul Qui, helmed by the James Beard foundation award-winning chef, for a decedent three-course meal. Read the rest here »