DIRT

The Miami restaurant scene is changing, and by now, it’s safe to say that the Magic City has embraced a health-focused food culture with creative options for vegetarians and vegans alike. All this week, Miami has come together to celebrate that culture with the Seed Food & Wine Festival 2016, presented by Whole Foods, the premier celebration of plant-based food and wine in the nation. With so many events having already taken over Wynwood and Miami Beach – like a plant-based burger battle and a meditation- and workshop-focused “Seed Summit” at Nobu Hotel Eden Roc and Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort, to a kick-off dinner at 27 Restaurant and Bar – there’s still so much to come this weekend.

Here are more events you can look forward to from the Seed Food & Wine Festival 2016 through Sunday:

• “Best of the West Dinner” (November 4, 2016): This four-course wine-pairing dinner is prepared by three top West Coast chefs and will take place at The Palms Hotel and Spa from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $125 each.
• “Best of the East Dinner” (November 4, 2016): This four-course wine-pairing dinner is prepared by three top East Coast chefs and will take place at The Sacred Space Miami from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $125 each.
• Seed 5K Fun Run, Yoga and Meditation (November 5, 2016): Wake up and go for a run with celebrity athletes like Rich Roll, Ella Magers, Dominick Thompson, Marco Borges, Nicole Mejia, and John Lewis. After that, relax with a downward dog (or five!) and meditation in a class led by Dawn B, Paige Held, Kelly Green, and Chira Cassel. This event is free and open to the public, and will take place at MANA Wynwood from 8 – 10:30 a.m.
• Seed Festival Day Tasting Village (November 5, 2016): The undeniable main event of this plant-food-focused week, this is an all-day sampling of plant-based health, wellness conscious, and sustainable foods. There is a beer garden, live music, and Chef Demonstrations, as well as a Speaker Stage, yoga lounge, fitness zone, crafts, apparel, edible garden demonstrations, an organic cruelty-free beauty bar, and more than 80 restaurants, bakeries, brands, wines, spirits, and juice brands sampling delicious plant-based treats all day. The tasting village runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at MANA Wynwood. Tickets are $20 for kids, $45 for General Admission, and $85 for VIP entrance, which gets you in one hour early.
• Made in Miami Farm-to-Table Dinner (November 5, 2016): During this anticipated event, some of Miami’s best chefs will come together to whip up plant-based dishes that highlight local organic farms in South Florida. Lookout for dishes from Nicole Votano (Dirt), Brad Kilgore (Alter), Brian Nasajon (Beaker & Gray), Cesar Zapata (The Fed/Phuc Yea), and Blair Wilson (Surfcomber Social Club), and enjoy five courses paired with local craft cocktails and organic wines from Cerda, Llanos y Cia. This event will take place at the Surfcomber from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $145 each.
• Mantra Yoga + Meditation + Brunch (November 6, 2016): Wake up and celebrate mindfulness with a yoga class led by Eoin Finn and Yana Guseva, followed by guided meditation led by Jennifer Grace. Then, enjoy a delicious, plant-based brunch by A-list chefs like Allen Susser, Amber Antonelli, Scott Winegard, Steve Santana, Dewey Losasso, and Max Santiago. Adding to its allure, every dish is paired with refreshing juices, cocktails, and bellinis. This event will take place at The Sacred Space from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tickets cost $55 each.

It is important to note that all food served during the festival is plant-based or vegan, and whenever possible, organic and non-GMO certified. Tickets for all of the different events range from FREE to $559 per person, and can be reserved here.

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor