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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

MM74 Tap Takeover

There’s always something brewing at Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.512.8002} and this month is no exception.

M.I.A. Brewing, the Doral-based brewery, taproom, and beer garden is currently partnering with the hotel’s signature restaurant, Michael Mina 74, for a one-of-a-kind “tap takeover.” From now through October, all eight of the MM74’s taps will be pouring an array of  the brewery’s handcrafted beers, ales, and stouts.

In celebration of this partnership, tomorrow, Wednesday, September 30, at 8:30pm, M.I.A.’s brew master Michael Demetrus will join Chef Thomas Griese for a special five-course beer-pairing dinner.

Here’s what you can expect:

First Course: Duo of Diver Sea Scallop “Chaud-Froid”
Scallop espuma, hibiscus gel, sweet corn royalé, and herbed sabayon
Paired with: Regresa a Mi
Berliner Weisse fermented with guava and hibiscus

Second Course: Maine Lobster Pasta
Hand-cut pappardelle, garden squash ribbons, and lemon verbena
Paired with: Fontainebru
Saison (dry farmhouse ale) fermented with lemon verbena

Third Course: Jerked Caribbean Quail and Foie Gras
Cannellini bean purée, macadamia nuts, and saffron-infused mango
Paired with: Rye Tortugas
Galaxy red rye malt-forward ale

Fourth Course: Coffee-Rubbed Prime Skirt Steak Churrasco
Passionfruit brown butter, coffee textures, and tarragon
Paired with: Czar Face
Russian Imperial stout

Fifth Course: Double Chocolate Raspberry Torte
Aerated Tahitian vanilla-bean ice cream, raspberry cells, and cocoa nibs
Paired with: Moo-Over Miami
Roast dark chocolate full-bodied stout with cocoa nibs and vanilla bean

The prix-fixe menu is priced at $85 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchase online here.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor