Miami Spice starts on August 1^st, and tonight, Miami New Times is celebrating with its annual Miami Spice kickoff event: Iron Fork. Open to the public, this blockbuster night brings together more than 70 restaurants and top Miami chefs for a night of mingling, munching, and at the heart of it, a sizzling competition between two dazzling Miami chef duos. Moderated by Chef Allen Susser, of the great Chef Allen’s Restaurant, this fun-filled match-up will pin the “Wonder Twin Chefs” Fabrizio and Nicola Carro (Via Verdi) against “Dynamic Duo Chefs” Dustin Ward (BLT Prime) and Sean Brasel (Meat Market) for thousands of attendees to see.

Adding to the excitement, this delicious Thursday is all about a good cause. All proceeds will go to FLIPANY’s Cooking Matters and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, both of which strive to end childhood hunger in Florida by ensuring all children get the healthy food and good education they need to make sure they stay healthy for a lifetime. On top of that, all leftover food will be donated to Camillus House.

Ready for Iron Fork? We are, too. Here are the top five Miami Spice restaurants we’re eager to taste tonight:

Tamarina Restaurant & Bar: Haute Italian staple, Tamarina {600 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.579.1888} has become a mainstay on trendy Brickell Avenue. This Spice season, choose from dishes like grilled octopus with tonnato sauce, grilled baby artichokes, tomato confit and black olives; or even a Riso Venere entrée with sautéed shrimp, zucchini, and a yellow pepper mousse. Finish it up with a chef’s selection of house-made ice creams and sorbets, and you’ll be living “la dolce vita” in no time.

Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room: Conrad Miami’s signature restaurant, Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room {1395 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.503.6529}, has spoken, and we’re listening. On its three-course Spice menu, it has dishes like slow-braised pork osso bucco with garbanzo bean chorizo stew and spiced chicharrones, and sweet endings like cherry bread and butter pudding with a house-made vanilla cherry compote ice cream. 

Mr. Chow: Foodies all over the world have heard of this upscale Asian staple. Located at the W South Beach, head to Mr. Chow {2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.695.1695} for sweet and sour pork, “Drunken Fish,” Chef Yi Jia Qian’s famed pork dumplings and chicken satay, Beijing chicken, and more.

Brasserie Azur: Miami Beach’s swanky Villa Azur gained so much popularity that it’s owners decided to open a more intimate sister restaurant, Brasserie Azur {3252 NE 1^st Avenue, Midtown; 786.800.9993}. This Spice season, hop over to this casual French-Mediterranean bistro for dishes like mussels Dijonnaise with French fries, and duck confit risotto with black Tuscan kale, Parmesan mascarpone cream, chicken liver, and shallots.

R House: Part restaurant, part bar, and part art gallery, R House {2727 NW 2^nd Avenue, Wynwood; 305.576.0201} is a Rocco Carulli staple and one of Wynwood’s hottest spots to dine and drink. Starting August 1^st, fuse your art appreciation with creative plates like braised short rib with coffee-chili powder rub and jalapeño scalloped potatoes, or artisan Italian pork sausage with Parmigiano reggiano and Greek olives. Wrap up your night with dessert: we hear the raspberry tres leches with house-made raspberry whipped cream is not to be missed.

Iron Fork will take place tonight at American Airlines Arena. Entry is 6 p.m. for VIP ticket holders, and 7 p.m. for General Admission ticket holders. For more information about Iron Fork, visit the event website.

Miami Spice runs from August 1^st – September 30^th. During this time, participating restaurants will offer three-course lunch and dinner menus for $23 and $39, respectively.