We Were There: Dinner hosted by Aarón Sánchez and Richard Sandoval (part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series)
[caption id="attachment_7676" align="alignnone" width="885"] Richard Sandoval of Toro Toro[/caption] Sit-down dinners are the stuff of legends at the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)—and we were so excited to
Richard Sandoval of Toro Toro
Sit-down dinners are the stuff of legends at the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)—and we were so excited to attend last night’s Dinner hosted by Aarón Sánchez and Richard Sandoval (part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series) at Toro Toro {100 Chopin Plaza, Downtown Miami; 305.372.4710}. After a contractual agreement unfortunately pulled Chopped judge, Heat Seekers co-star, and host of Cooking Channel’s Emmy-nominated Taco Trip, Aarón Sánchez, away from SOBEWFF at the last minute, we were blessed with an equally-wonderful replacement: four-time James Beard award-winning TV personality and the fun and friendly host of Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods, Andrew Zimmern!
When we arrived, we were sent to the bar for a Reception, where we were treated to glasses of Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec 2017 and the wine host’s spin on an Aperol Spritz, a Terrazas Spritz Blanco with Aperol and Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontés 2017. Passed hors d’oeuvres—like Gulf Tuna Tostadas with Cajun caviar and Chorizo and Roasted Plantain Empanadas from Aarón Sánchez, and Short Rib Mini Tacos and White Coconut Ceviche Spoons from Richard Sandoval—accompanied these welcome drinks, making for a yummy start to a delicious dinner ahead.
And while Andrew Zimmern may have replaced Aarón Sánchez, dinner guests still got to enjoy the original, collaborative Mexican-Latin fusion menu from both the Chopped judge and the talented Richard Sandoval, a famed cookbook author, restaurateur, and the mastermind behind Downtown Miami’s Toro Toro. In fact, working the kitchen all night long was Executive Chef Miles Landrem (of Aarón Sánchez’ popular restaurant, Johnny Sánchez), Richard Sandoval, and the whole Toro Toro kitchen team.
Here’s what we ate and drank:
Scallop Aguachile by Aarón Sánchez
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Chardonnay 2017
Huitlacoche and Urbani Truffle Tamales by Aarón Sánchez
with a roasted corn sauce
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Single Vineyard Las Compuertas Malbec 2014
Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass by Richard Sandoval
with Pipian sauce
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Single Vineyard Los Aromos Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Corn Cake with Hibiscus by Richard Sandoval
with cinnamon ice cream
Wine pairing: Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Torrontés 2017
This event was hosted in part by Terrazas de los Andes wine, as well as Toro Toro, The Intercontinental Miami, BADOIT, Evian, The New York Times, and The New York Times Cooking.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor