Home / Posts Tagged "fundraising event"

Chef Cindy Hutson

We always love when local chefs are recognized, and we couldn’t be happier for Chef Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile {278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gabels; 305.446.7710}, who is being honored tomorrow evening during Les Dames d’Escoffier Miami’s annual gala at the Mandarin Oriental Miami {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell}.

For over 16 years, Hutson has dazzled diners with her creative and inspired “cuisine of the sun,” which fuses tropical ingredients and classic culinary techniques into a flavorful and innovative modern cuisine.

Hosted by FOX Channel 7 newscaster Belkys Nerey, the event will not only honor Huston, but will also celebrate the Miami chapter’s 15th anniversary. The evening will include Champagne, canapés, an elegant three-course meal, entertainment, and auction items.

All profits go to Les Dames d’Escoffier, a service organization comprised of distinguished women leaders in food, wine, hospitality, and farming that is dedicated improving nutrition, education, and quality of life in local communities.

Tickets for the event still available and can be purchased by clicking here. For more information, visit LesDamesDinner.com.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor 

march of dimes signature chefs

2014 Miami Signature Chefs Auction

October is a month for giving back, and we can’t be more thrilled to once again be supporting the March of Dimes and its premier fundraising event of the year: the Miami Signature Chefs Auction.

On Thursday, October 29, elite corporate and social leaders from the Greater Miami area will gather at the Westin Colonnade in Coral Gables for a fabulous culinary soiree in support of the March of Dimes, the largest and most respected maternal-child health organization in the world.

Did you know that every year, more than 15 million babies are born prematurely, and as a result, a million will die before their first birthday? Through generous donations, the March of Dimes is able to improve the health of babies by preventing premature birth, infant mortality, and birth defects through research, advocacy, and community programs on the local, state, and national levels.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs

2014 Miami Signature Chefs Auction

For the 18th-annual Miami Signature Chefs Auction presented by GOYA, 17 chefs from some of Miami’s top restaurants will serve up tastes of their favorite dishes as guests mingle and bid on exclusive items in a silent auction. This will be followed by a sit-down dessert and live auction, where guests can also bid on additional dining experiences, travel, and more.

Along with Ambassador Culinary Chair David Sears of SushiSamba, this year’s participating chefs include: Brad Kilgore of Alter, David Blonsky of Apeiro, Wolfgang Birk of Area 31, Tim Andriola of Basil Park, Brian Nasajon of Beaker & Gray, Diego Solano of Bulla Gastrobar, Santiago Gomez of Cantina La Veinte, Rod Chitikov of Devon Seafood + Steak, Aaron Brooks of EDGE Steak & Bar, Fernando Desa of GOYA, Phil Bryant of The Local Craft Food and Drink, Sean Brasel of Meat Market, Kareem Anguin of The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Angelina Bastidas of Piripi, Adonay Tafur of The Dutch, and Eric Do of Toro Toro.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs

2014 Miami Signature Chefs Auction

“People love the Signature Chefs Auction because they get to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes from our signature chefs,” says Event Chair J.C. de Ona, senior vice president at Stonegate Bank. “And at the same time, they have the satisfaction of knowing that they’re helping the March of Dimes in its mission to ensure that all babies are born stronger, healthier, and full term.”

March of Dimes Signature Chefs

NBC 6’s Jackie Nespral at the 2014 Miami Signature Chefs Auction

Additional community leaders in support of the event include: celebrity spokesperson and emcee Jackie Nespral of NBC 6, Auction Chair Rafael Feliz Jr. of Premier Worldwide Marketing, Larry Carrino of Brustman Carrino Public Relations, Alexis C. Knapp of Rockaway PR, Erin Knight of Stonegate Bank, and Aubrey Swanson of AUBOOM Media.

March of Dimes Signature Chefs

2014 Miami Signature Chefs Auction

Other event sponsors include: Florida Yachts International, the Latin American Agribusiness Development Corporation (LAAD), Marjorie Raines, MSP Recovery, Bank of America, BankUnited, Cherry Bekaert, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, Leader Global Solutions, MacMillan Oil Company, Prestige Companies, Stonegate Bank, Trujillo & Sons, Turner Construction, Wells Fargo, Future Energy Solutions, National Health TransportMercedes-Benz of Coral Gables, NBC 6, Telemundo 51, and, yours truly, DiningOut Miami.

Another important component of the Signature Chefs Auction is Fund the Mission, an opportunity for everyone to make a donation to the March of Dimes. Each gift is 100-percent tax-deductible and helps the foundation carry out its mission. Those interested in making a Fund the Mission donation can give online here or mail a check to the March of Dimes Miami Office: {8323 Northwest 12th Street, Suite 208, Miami, FL 33126}.

march of dimes signature chefs

The 18th-annual Miami Signature Chefs Auction presented by GOYA will take place on Thursday, October 29, from 6:30-9:30pm at the Westin Colonnade Coral Gables {180 Aragon Avenue}. Click here for more information.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

march of dimes signature chefs

Dozens of fundraising events take place in Miami throughout the year, but the upcoming Signature Chefs Auction benefiting the March of Dimes is one of our all-time favorites. Accompanied by a silent auction, chefs from some of the top local restaurants will serve up samplings of their favorite dishes. This will be followed by a sit-down dessert and live auction, where guests can bid on exclusive dining experiences, travel, and more.

Proceeds from the 2015 Signature Chefs Auction will allow March of Dimes to further its mission through research and community programs to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The 18th-annual Signature Chefs Auction presented by GOYA will take place on Thursday, October 29, from 6:30-9:30pm at the Westin Colonnade Coral Gables. 

We had the chance to catch up with participating Chef Diego Solano of Bulla Gastrobar {2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables; 305.441.0107} to discuss giving back to the local community and what he has in store for the upcoming event.

DiegoSolano2

DiningOut: We last spoke in April. What has been going on at Bulla? Have there been any additions to the menu?
Chef Diego Solano:
Yes, we actually created several new lunch, brunch, and dinner items that we are very excited about! These include the Bikini and the Garbanzo Frito [brunch], the Arroz Negro con Pulpo and the Solomillo de Cerdo with beer sauce [lunch], and the Coca de Frutas [dessert].

You talked about plans for opening a new concept, Pisco y Nazca. How is the project coming along?
Pisco y Nazca will be opening late October at The Palms at Town and Country in Kendall. It will definitely set a new standard for Peruvian cuisine in South Florida. This concept will show the passion we have for hospitality and pioneering amazing cuisine.

Tell us about Bulla’s involvement with local charities.
We are always enthusiastic when it comes to helping our community through events that bring awareness to local and national charities. It goes back to our roots in hospitality, as it truly makes us feel great when we take care of others. Giving back to the community is both an honor and a privilege.

At the moment, we are participating in the No Kid Hungry campaign, where each diner at our restaurant donates a certain percentage to the cause for the month of September.

What about the March of Dimes specifically drew you to the Signature Chefs Auction?
Children are the future, so we saw a real value in helping the March of Dimes organization.

You have so many amazing dishes on your menu. How do you even begin to decide what you want to serve at an event like this?
When creating new dishes, we always strive to present food that really showcases our style of cuisine and that represents our brand.

What is the dish you plan on preparing for the upcoming event?
We will be serving Insalada de Pulpo with heirloom tomatoes, grilled octopus, and cucumber.

Will Bulla have any auction items up for bid?
Yes. We are auctioning off a four-course wine pairing where I will cook my own created dishes and Joel Mesa, our mixologist, will assist in choosing the wines.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

 

Taste of the Nation

Taste of the Nation South Florida founder and chair Allen Susser addresses the crowd at last year’s event.

South Florida’s leading culinary event for a cause is coming up fast—and tickets are selling even faster.

Did you know that one in five children in this country struggles with hunger?; in Florida, it’s one in four. South Florida’s Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry, is the region’s premier culinary benefit dedicated to putting an end to these statistics. The event will take place on Thursday, July 16 in the newly renovated Loews Miami Beach {1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}.

For just $125 ($250 for VIP admission), you can participate in silent auctions, sip and sample gourmet creations from over 50 of South Florida’s top chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists. And the best part: all proceeds benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign, which is dedicated to ensuring that all children have daily access to the healthy food they need. You purchase tickets here.

Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its supporters have helped provide over 107 million meals (of which 25 million were distributed here in Florida) to kids struggling with hunger. Last year, the South Florida Taste of the Nation event raised nearly $100,000, which went to helping over 10 million children gain access to healthy meals.

taste of the nation

The culinary affair will be led by distinguished tastemakers, including founding event chair Allen Susser and restaurant chair Timon Balloo of Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill.

Buy your tickets today and be a part of a wonderful event for a very important cause!

-Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor