March 29, 2017

Miami’s Freshest Night Out Raises Funds And Celebrates “Snail of Approval” Winners

Slow Food Miami Snail Of Approval Tasting Party At Eden Roc Miami Beach
Celebratory Evening Hosted by Guest Chef Helene Henderson Raises Funds For 32 Edible Gardens

Miami Beach, Fla. — Over 300 ravenous foodies joined an elite group of South Florida’s top chefs for the recent 6th Annual Slow Food Miami “Snail of Approval” Tasting Party. The event, held poolside at the Eden Roc Miami Beach, was hosted by Helene Henderson, Chef/Owner of Malibu Farm and author of Malibu Farm Cookbook: Recipes from the California Coast. Emcee for the evening was Roxanne Vargas, Host of NBC’s 6 in the Mix and judged by Victoria Pesce-Elliot (Miami Herald Food Critic); Laine Doss (Food and Spirits Editor, Miami New Times); and Devonie Nicholas (Marketing and Public Relations Director of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival). The evening raised money for Slow Food Miami, the local 100% volunteer non-profit dedicated to “planting a fresher future for our children”, translating to funds for 32 new edible gardens throughout the community.

This year, the judges selected for the “Best Bite of the Night” award to go to Restaurateur Corey Bousquet and Chef Chris Huff of The Brick for the ultimate comfort food of shrimp 'n' grits made with Key West pink shrimp, War Eagle Mill grits, and Teena's Pride heirloom tomatoes. And the guests awarded Chef Blair Wilson from Social Club at The Surfcomber Hotel the evening’s “People’s Choice” Award for amazing sweet and savory pecan-smoked St. Louis ribs with sesame-sorghum barbecue sauce, toasted sesame seeds, and pickled local veggies.
At the al fresco soirée overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Miami’s environmentally conscious chefs lent their talents to raise funds and were in turn celebrated for their “Snail of Approval” recognition, made possible by their contribution to the quality, authenticity and sustainability of our food supply. The event featured farm-to-table bites from Snail of Approval winners/chefs, wines by Twenty-One Wine & Spirits, and cocktails with jugofresh; Wicked Dolphin Rum; Miami Club Rum; and Palm Ridge Reserve Whiskey. This year also featured a special brew garden with J Wakefield Brewing; MIA Beer Company; Wynwood Brewing; Titanic Brewery; Counter Culture Kombucha; and Angry Booch.

The celebratory evening honored 2016-2017 “Snail of Approval” winners: Malibu Farm; Artisan Beach House; Meat Market; Zak the Baker with Charcoal; Social Club at The Surfcomber Hotel; Beaker & Gray; Miami Smokers; Plant Food + Wine; Books & Books; Grown; Glass and Vine; della test kitchen; Semilla; Edition Hotel; American Harvest; Pinch Kitchen with French Farms; Essensia Restaurant & Lounge with Little River Cooperative; Proper Sausages; Chef David Catering; Luke’s Lobster; 3030 Ocean; Artichoke Foods; The Brick; Seasons Farm Fresh; and Verde Community Gardens. Delectable desserts by Cacao Art Chocolates; Exquisito Chocolates; Per'La Specialty Roasters; and Serendipity Creamery ensured guests ended on a sweet note.

About Slow Food Miami
Slow Food Miami is a local 100% volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to “planting a fresher future for our children.” It’s the local chapter of Slow Food USA, a national non-profit dedicated to supporting good, clean and fair food for all that supports our local communities from the ground up – from the Edible School & Community Gardens that encourage the enjoyment of local, seasonal and sustainably grown food, to the local growers and artisan food makers who use sustainable methods. Slow Food Miami supports its Edible School & Community Garden Program through culinary educational events and fundraising, and aims to raise awareness for good, clean and fair food as a cornerstone of pleasure, culture and community. For more information, visit slowfoodmiami.org.

About Malibu Farm
“Fresh, organic, local” is the motto at Malibu Farm, the soon to open Miami Beach outpost of the hugely popular California farm to table restaurant and magnet for A-listers. Owner, cookbook author and farmer Helene Henderson will bring her signature style of local, sustainable, fresh-off-the-farm fare along with an extensive wine and cocktail menu. With spectacular ocean views, Malibu Farm is set to premier Spring 2017.

About Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort
With an oceanfront location in the heart of Miami’s Mid-Beach and just minutes from Lincoln Road, Ocean Drive and the Wynwood arts district, Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort offers travelers a beachfront retreat synonymous with contemporary Miami luxury. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation that revitalized and re-launched the Eden Roc, this property boasts 418 spacious guest rooms and suites, three stunning pools, 22,000 square feet of spa and fitness facility, the world’s largest Nobu Restaurant & Bar, and will soon be home to the farm-to-fork restaurant, Malibu Farm in Spring 2017. Inspired by the beauty and splendor of the ocean below, Eden Roc rooms and suites offer savvy travelers unique in-room dining offerings and spectacular ocean views, while light and airy furnishings set the perfect seaside scene. For more information and reservations, please call (305) 531-0000 or visit edenrocmiami.com.