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 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/
46th Annual Golf Classic in Memory of “Bebe” Rebozo
Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade will host its 46th 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 62nd 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.
