The third annual gastronomical supper experience, Chefs Up Front Miami, returned on Friday, September 18, 2015 at the luxurious Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. The anticipated yearly event was organized by local, non-profit organization, Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth (FLIPANY). This year, Chefs Up Front featured 20 notable chefs, making this year’s event the largest to take place in its history. The event exceeded last year’s proceeds by earning $51,067.20. All of the proceeds earned from the decadent sit-down dinner, reception and auction will assist FLIPANY with the necessary funds to implement the Cooking Matters™ program, in FLIPANY’s role as the Florida partner of Share Our Strength.
Ryan Phillips, morning meteorologist at NBC6, long-time FLIPANY supporter and the event’s Emcee, stated “Chefs Up Front was the single best place to find the best food in one night for charity”. The evening began with a special reception hosted by Chipotle Mexican Grill as well as an exciting silent auction alongside hors d’oeuvres and libation, where guests enjoyed perusing items. Throughout the dinner, an exhilarating Live Auction took place with a bidding war that helped raise over $23,000 in proceeds from the event.
Dr. Colin Knight, Event Committee Chair and the original organizer of the event 5 years ago in Ft. Lauderdale, commented “I’m thrilled at the great turn out to support healthy living by supporting FLIPANY”
Chefs Up Front offered guests an unrivaled opportunity to have acclaimed chefs make a customized five-course signature dinner for groups of ten at their own table. Each course was prepared and presented tableside with wine pairings. The mood was intimate yet exciting, each table’s guests cheered for their chef as they were announced showing their love and support for the chef’s amazing courses and appreciation for donating to the cause.
Linda Gassenheimer, Miami Herald columnist and famed foodie author says “Cooking really matters. Seeing the enthusiastic smiles on the children interacting with the chefs at the event was a real treat. The event overall was extraordinary.”
Participating chefs included:
- Aaron Dreilinger, Celebrity Cruise Lines (www.chefaarondreilinger.com)
- Adrianne Calvo, Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar(www.chefadriannes.com)
- Brian Nasajon, Beaker & Gray (www.beakerandgray.com)
- Cristian Cuevas, Swine Southern Table and Bar (www.runpigrun.com)
- David Blonsky, Apeiro Kitchen & Bar (www.apeirorestaurants.com)
- David Sears, SUSHISAMBA (www.sushisamba.com)
- Derrick Roberts, StripSteak by Michael Mina (www.fontainebleau.com)
- Diego Martinez, Fresh American Bistro (www.freshamericanbistro.com)
- Diego Solano, Bulla Gastrobar (www.bullamiami.com)
- Dustin Ward, BLT Prime Miami (www.e2hospitality.com/blt-
prime-miami) - Giuseppe Galazzi, Fontana Restaurant at the Biltmore (www.biltmorehotel.com)
- James Cawley, Rosa Mexicano (www.rosamexicano.com)
- Jeremy Ford, Matador Room (www.matadorroom.com)
- Marlon Rambaran, Scarpetta at Fontainebleau Miami Beach (www.fontainebleau.com)
- Michael Shikany, Algorithm (www.shikany.com)
- Nuno Grullón, R House (www.rhousewynwood.com)
- Robyn Almodovar, Palate Party Gourmet Food Truck (www.palateparty.com)
- Ryan Martin, 180° @ the DRB (www.gastronomyredefined.com)
- Santiago Gomez de la Fuente, Cantina La Veinte Miami (www.cantinala20.com)
- Yetunde Shorters, Afropolitan Chef (www.afropolitanchef.com)
Follow Chefs Up Front on Facebook @FLIPANY, Instagram @ChefsUpFront and Twitter@ChefsUpFrontFL. Follow FLIPANY on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @FLIPANY. Special event hashtag was #ChefsUpFront.