Miami Beach Chefs Spice it Up for Two Month Foodfest

From August through the end of September, restaurants across Miami Beach will once again host the popular Miami Spice promotion, offering three course, signature dishes by world renowned chefs to residents and visitors at super affordable prices: Lunch $23 and Dinner $39. It is one of the most anticipated times of the year, giving restaurant guests the opportunity to partake in their tried and true favorites or be a bit more adventurous and try some of the more daring and exciting meals on the menu. During Miami Spice, there is something for everyone.

“The entire city looks forward to Miami Spice,” notes Peggy Benua, Chair, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. “Chefs in this city are bold tastemakers who aren’t afraid to bring their audacious vision to the kitchen and the table with dishes like crab toast, wahoo taradito and mushroom fricassee among many others. This year, diners will have no lack of choice, flavor or portions to suit their tastes.“

It’s going to be a fun month of food as Miami Beach’s most innovative chefs roll out their inimitable and distinctive selections for discerning diners. And they’re not holding back on creativity; restaurant-goers can expect to sample a range of incredible ingredients and flavors including green hummus, garlic chimichurri, roast beets, sage butter with sausage, braised greens with lemon-rosemary vinaigrette and Balsamic strawberries with pistachio crumble among many other savory and sweet plates. (See the list of participating restaurant here.) 

Tortino di melanzane “Eggplant Parmigiana” (Photo Credit: Macchialina) (PRNewsFoto/Miami Beach Visitor and Convent)

Michael Pirolo, head chef of Miami Beach’s Macchialina says, “I am looking forward to Miami Spice this year. We’ve become known for offering all of our signature dishes [during Miami Spice] so you can look forward to more of our creamy polenta this year on our Spice menu.“

Looking to spice it up? Then check out these restaurants and their chefs as they present some of their out-of-this-world dishes during Miami Spice and check out the Miami Spice website for a full list of participating restaurants.

SWEET LIBERTY

Located in the Collins Park area of Miami Beach, Sweet Liberty is the creation of award-winning bartenders John Lermayer and Dan Binkiewicz along with restaurateur David Martinez. Recently named the Best New American Bar at the annual Spirited Awards, this is a surefire option for world-class cocktails and creative American food.

Try the: Watermelon gazpacho appetizer, Crunchy green salad and Skirt Steak with terragon bernaise

THE BAZAAR BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS

This playful restaurant, designed by Philippe Starck brings to life one of the most popular culinary experiences in the city. Helmed by James Beard award-Winning chef José Andrés, the bar and lounge also offer $1 oysters during weeknight oyster hour, a live DJ Tuesday to Friday nights, and happy hour specials during the week.

Try the: Tomato Heirloom salad, braised lamb shank with lemon preserve risotto and the crepes with sautéed apples flambé and rum

BEACHCRAFT

Top chef mentor and judge, Tom Colicchio, joined the already robust roster of celebrity chefs in Miami Beach with the opening of Beachcraft in 2015. The farm-to-table concept brings guests into an open kitchen where locally caught fish, home-made pastas, and organic ingredients are featured on the menu.

Try the: Chicken liver toast appetizer, roasted fish with braised greens and the house made donut with key lime curd and toasted meringue

MACCHIALINA

Macchialina has been a local Miami Beach favorite for 4 years with its casual neighborhood vibe and bold seasonally-inspired cuisine. Chef Pirolo is the most starred chef in Miami and continues to garner praise among critics with his soulful yet sophisticated Italian fare.

Try the: Sausage ragu appetizer, the spaghetti pomodoro and the vanilla panna cotta with pistachio crumble

The Food Channel’s Worst Cooks In America: Celebrity Edition Returns

Anne Burrell And Rachael Ray Whip Brand-New Roster Of Cooking-Challenged Stars Into Culinary Shape.

Eight-Episode Special Series Premieres Wednesday, September 14th at 9pm

Mentors Rachael Ray and Anne Burrell with the contestants on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition – (left to right) Kenya Moore, John Henson, Barbara Eden, Loni Love, Anne Burrell, Rachael Ray, Tommy Davidson, Mindy Cohn, Matt Dallas, Nicole Sullivan, and Mike Sorrentino as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition is back for a second helping with food masters Anne Burrell and Rachael Ray each leading a team of celebrity cooking disasters through an intense culinary boot camp where the most improved cook wins $50,000 for their charity, as well as bragging rights for their team leader. The celebrity recruits are: Mindy Cohn, Matt Dallas, Tommy Davidson, Barbara Eden, John Henson, Loni Love, Kenya Moore, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Nicole Sullivan. (Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition is produced by Optomen Productions LLC, an All3 Media Company.)

Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition premieres Wednesday, September 14^th at 9pm (all times ET/PT) and the winner is named during the season finale on Wednesday, November 2^nd at 9pm.

Contestant Barbara Eden as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant John Henson as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Kenya Moore as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Loni Love as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Matt Dallas as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Mindy Cohn as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Nicole Sullivan as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

Contestant Tommy Davidson as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, Season 9.

In the first episode, Burrell and Ray assess the skill of the recruits by having each celebrity cook a dish using some unique ingredients from Hollywood gift swag bags. Then, the recruits are taught to prepare a post-party simple steak and eggs dish, which proves to be much harder than expected for these clueless cooks. After each mentor pick teams, one celebrity is sent back to Tinsel Town and the recruits learn that boot camp is no walk down the red carpet. Upcoming episodes feature Oktoberfest-themed beer and sausage challenges, a Halloween Bloody Mary battle and the return of trivia game Family Food. Guests include last season’s Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition winner Jenni “Jwoww” Farley and runner-up Kendra Wilkinson, television personality Sara Gore and Cooking Channel’s Laura Vitale.

Mentors Rachael Ray and Anne Burrell pose, as seen on Food Network’s Worst Cooks in America, Season 9.

“With Anne and Rachael at the helm of this star-studded cooking boot camp, the competition is fierce and the laughs are non-stop,” said Didi O’Hearn, Senior Vice President, Programming, Food Network & Cooking Channel. “The celebrities enter as comical kitchen disasters, and watching them gain culinary confidence is entertaining and ultimately inspiring.”

Viewers can watch hilarious exclusive video starring the celebs, see highlights, get culinary tips, vote for their favorite recruits and more at www.FoodNetwork.com/WorstCooks.

 

 

The Entertainment Community Unites For onePULSE: A Benefit For Orlando In Hollywood, CA

Notable Industry Names, Companies and Luminaries Partner for August 19th Event to Honor and Remember the Victims of Orlando Shooting Tragedy

Proceeds Raised from the Event will Benefit the onePULSE Foundation and the National Compassion Fund to Serve Those Affected by the Tragedy and Build a Permanent Memorial

In a powerful show of collaboration and support, leading names, artists and businesses in the entertainment community are teaming up in an event to honor as well as raise much needed funds for the victims of the Orlando tragedy. onePULSE: A Benefit for Orlando is a unique partnership effort to raise in support of onePULSE Foundation (www.onePULSEFoundation.org), the official 501(c)(3) entity incorporated by the owners of the Pulse Nightclub.

For over twelve years, Pulse was a destination that welcomed everyone and embraced the LGBTQ community. It had been a place immersed in joy and music, and one that united Orlando’s diverse communities. Founded by Barbara Poma and Ron Legler in the memory of Barbara’s late brother, John, who passed away in 1991, the name Pulse was chosen to keep his pulse beating on. Pulse Nightclub in turn became the heartbeat of Orlando and the spiritual home of the LGBTQ community.

On June 12th, 2016 Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL was the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. The tragedy took 49 lives, and injured 53 others, and left a deep wound in both the Orlando community and around the world.

“The genesis of Pulse Nightclub began with honoring the heart and vibrant spirit of my late brother many years ago, but at this moment we have an even greater call to action,” said Poma. “With the help of some incredibly generous partners, we are grateful to lean on the platform that the industry provides to spread love and support to those affected by this tragedy. I am awed by how quickly so many individuals have come together in a common cause. Our goal is to create a true family community. No amount of hate can destroy that bond. We will heal together.”

The August 19th event will be held at the recently launched NeueHouse Hollywood, aligning artists, activists, and survivors in a program that honors those taken by the tragedy with tributes to the heroes and victims of the Orlando shooting.

The diverse presentation from the Hollywood community will include Poma and will feature an exclusive video that interviews both survivors and families of the victims, some of whom will be in attendance at the event, along with a special video message from President Barack Obama and Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton.

The evening is supported by many leading names in the industry, and the onePULSE Foundation will raise additional funds through their generous donations. Via partners CharityBuzz, Prizeo and Omaze, those who want to support the initiative beyond the text to donate campaign can bid on one-of-a-kind experiences donated by supporters who include Mark Cuban, Lady Gaga, Ellen DeGeneres, Cyndi Lauper, Sir Richard Branson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, LP, Robbie Rogers and many others.

Entertainment industry leaders supporting the benfit and the foundation include Virgin Produced, iHeartMedia, Universal, private work collective for creative entrepreneurs NeueHouse Hollywood and the City of Los Angeles which have also lent their support to the campaign. In support of the initiative, Virgin America guests will soon be able to donate inflight by going to the shop: make a difference section of the RED ® in-flight entertainment system as well.

All proceeds raised through individual donors, corporate sponsorship – and via the text PULSE to 91999 donation campaign – will benefit the onePULSE Foundation, whose mission is to provide assistance to victims of the attack at Pulse Nightclub and build a permanent memorial at the Pulse Nightclub site. Through the end of 2016, ninety percent of monies raised through this campaign will be granted to the National Compassion Fund*** (www.nationalcompassionfund.org), developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime, and designated to support those affected by the June 12th tragedy. The remaining proceeds from the event and campaign will contribute to the creation of a permanent memorial at the existing site of Pulse Nightclub, providing a sanctuary of hope dedicated to the lives affected and taken by the tragedy in Orlando, FL.

“The horror of this attack on the LGBTQ and Hispanic communities prompted the generosity of people from around the world. We are honored to serve as steward of these funds and ensure that we receive in the name of victims is distributed directly to them,” said Mai Fernandez, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime.

“We look forward to collaborating with all those who support this mission so that this is a unified effort, made possible not by one person but by and for everyone who wants to help,” added Poma.

For more information on how to join or support the onePULSE coalition as an individual or business, please visit: www.onepulsefoundation.org.

***The National Compassion Fund, a program of the National Center for Victims of Crime (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID #30-0022798 and Florida Registration #CH21962, California Registration #11015), provides a single, trusted way for the public to donate directly to victims of a mass crime, such as a shooting or terrorist attack. It serves donors by honoring their intent and crime victims by distributing donations directly to them, in a fair and transparent way and has been developed in partnership with victims and family members from past mass casualty crimes, including those from Sandy Hook, Aurora, Virginia Tech, Oak Creek Temple, NIU, Columbine, and 9/11. The National Compassion Fund (The Fund).