A Little Bit of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival
This past weekend, I flew to Miami to take part in the annual South Beach Wine & Food Festival. This is always such a fun and star-studded four-day affair with so many great events to choose from. I’m going to begin by sharing with you some of what I did on Saturday, my second day in Miami. My friend, Emeril Lagassi was asked to be one of the chefs to prepare the Tribute Dinner, honoring Charlie Trotter and Piero Antinori. My travelling companions and I stopped by the Loews Miami Beach Hotel to say hello during dinner preparation. It’s always fascinating to see how a dinner for 600 is executed. We then went on to the brand new Marlins Park stadium for a dinner called Diamond Dishes hosted by Miami Marlins’ Co-Owner, Julie Loria, author of the cookbook, Diamond Dishes. It was so much fun seeing Julie and her husband, Jeffrey and to meet the chefs of many tasty dishes. The Miami Marlins aren’t so bad, either! And finally, we stopped in to see our friends at the landmark Joe’s Stone Crab, one of my favorite places in Miami.
1 Here I am with Lee Brian Schrager - vice president of corporate communications and national events at Southern Wine & Spirits, and the creator of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
2 Each year, as part of the festival, there is a Tribute Dinner held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel and this time Chef Charlie Trotter and Piero Antinori were honored.
3 With honoree Chef Charlie Trotter, who for the past 25-years has run his namesake restaurant in Chicago, which is regarded as one of the finest culinary establishments in the world.
4 Posing with honoree Piero Antinori - The Antinori family has been making fabulous vintage wines for over six hundred years!
5 And here I am with Emeril, one of the chosen chefs of the evening.
6 Chef Nathan Myhrvold from Modernist Cuisine couldn't be there, but he was represented by the finest talent, co-author Maxime Bilet.
7 The chefs from Modernist Cuisine prepared hors d'oeuvres to start the evening.
8 One of the hors d'oeuvres was this caramelized carrot soup with coconut cream and chat masala.
9 This was a 600-plate dinner, so the execution had to be very well organized.
10 A very precise schedule was posted for all to follow. The staff was shown precisely when each course should be served.
11 They were also shown how the plates should appear.
12 Photos like these, take all mystery out of the composition.
13 The serving staff was gathered for final instructions.
14 Posing with Jean-Paul Veziano from the very fine Le Pain JPV, who came all the way from Antibes to bake for this event!
15 Jean-Paul Veziano, one of the great craftsman/bakers on the Côte d'Azur, created these gorgeous bread plates.
16 With Frederic Delaire of Loews Miami Beach Hotel
17 The first course was Chef Patrick O'Connell's, of The Inn at Little Washington, 'Tin of Sin.'
18 The 'Tin' referred to Petrossian caviar, of course!
19 Hidden beneath the amazing caviar was peekytoe crab mousse and cucumber, served with a slice of brioche.
20 Bernard Carmouche is Chef de Cuisine at Emeril's Orlando.
21 Greg Richie is Chef de Cuisine of Emeril's Tchoup Chop in Orlando.
22 Here I am with Chef Norman Van Aken, the founding father of New World Cuisine, a fusion of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, African and American flavors.
23 The colorful dining hall
24 Anthony Bourdain served as the evening's master of ceremonies. Unfortunately, we were expected at another event for dinner.
25 The event we went to was called Diamond Dishes and was held at Marlins Park, the brand new home of the Miami Marlins.
26 Construction on Marlins Park is nearly completed and will be ready by April 4th, in time for the 2012 season. It can seat 37,000 fans.
27 A warm-up area for the players
28 The stadium features two large aquariums to the left and right of home plate. The tank walls are covered in Lexan, a super strong type of polycarbonate that protects the aquariums from errant and foul balls.
29 Of course, no visit to the ballpark would be complete without peanuts and Crackerjack.
30 The Diamond Dishes event took place on the field, with courses stationed at each base. The evening began with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from players, like Alex Rodriguez's Kale chips. The grass is real, not Astroturf.
31 Here I am with Miami Marlins' Co-Owner Julie Loria, author of the cookbook, Diamond Dishes, and the host of the evening.
32 Michelle Bernstein, of Michy’s and Sra Martinez, has been a part of the festival since its inception.
33 Michelle Bernstein was at first base serving Jamón and Manchego Croquetas with Fig Marmalade and Octopus and Potato Salad with Chorizo Vinaigrette.
34 Posing with Julie Loria and Michelle Bernstein - I'm eating Michelle's Fried Quail Sandwich on an English Muffin with Pepper Pear Jam and Quail gravy. It was very windy and everyone's hair was blowing!
35 Julie Loria talking with Scott Conant, of Scarpetta. Scott is a huge baseball fan.
36 Scott Conant, at second base, served Briased Shortribs of Beef, Vegetables, and Farro Risotto.
37 And also Fricassee of Truffled Mushrooms over Creamy Polenta
38 As well as Burrata, Crispy Prosciutto, Pickled Eggplant and Black Olives
39 Laurent Tourondol, of BLT Steak in Miami, was positioned at third base and cooked up veal and pork meatballs.
40 A plate of Black Pepper and Comte Cheese Popover, Kobe Beef Pigs in a Blanket with Pickled Jalapeño, Spinach Fondue served with Mustard and Horseradish crusted Rib Roast, and Veal and Pork Meatballs with Crispy Rosemary Polenta
41 Hedy Goldsmith of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink in Miami, served dessert at home plate.
42 Dessert at home plate were sophisticated takes on childhood favorites, like Lemon Meringue Pie in a jar.
43 and Peanut Butter S'mores with Homemade Toasted Cocoa Nib Marshmallows.
44 With left fielder, Logan Morrison
45 With Julie and Jeffrey Loria, art dealers and co-owners of the Miami Marlins.
46 With Logan Morrison, Julie Loria, and Jeffrey Loria
47 With Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson and his wife Heidi
48 My friend and publicist, Susan Magrino, who also represents Julie Loria and her books.
49 With Julie Loria and Jose Reyes, shortstop/second base. Jose was bedazzled with a diamond watch, diamond studs, and a beautiful black diamond necklace.
50 With first baseman Gaby Sanchez and his wife Judy
51 Hanley Ramirez, who plays shortstop/third base, made Tostones and Empanadas for hors d'oeuvres. Hanley, too, was bedazzled. These guys are all so drop-dead handsome!
52 Posing with Hanley
53 Hanley's empanadas were delicious!
54 With Julie Loria and Hanley Ramirez
55 A very nice selection of wine
56 Signing a fan's apron
57 And another
58 Mike Stanton plays right field for the Marlins. Mike's girlfriend is a beautiful actress.
59 Doing the 'Lo Viste' with the Marlins, which means, did you see that? It is now a team ritual.
60 No trip to Miami is complete for me without a visit to Joe's Stone Crab, the famous restaurant which opened in 1913. These heavenly claws are served chilled with mustard sauce. Joes serves 2000 lbs of claws on Friday and Satuday nights.
61 The claws of the stone crab are a delicacy and when removed, the crab grows another to take its place. Only one claw is taken so the crab can still defend itself and egg-bearing females are not allowed to be declawed.
62 The kitchen at Joe's Stone Crab is enormous with a salad section, seafood section, meat section, dessert section, and a huge mail-order section.
63 Each year, Joe's Stone Crab ships 48,000-pounds of claws!
64 Fresh-as-can-be oysters on the half-shell
65 Broiled Maine lobster with plates of grilled tomatoes topped with spinach and cheese
66 An order of Grilled Killer Alaskan Claws
67 In the salad section - Joe's Chopped Salad with honey-roasted peanuts, black olives, feta cheese, and diced vegetables, all tossed in Joes's vinaigrette
68 These are generous servings of Joe's Famous Cole Slaw.
69 Saying hello to Executive Sous Chef Ronnie Vincent
70 These are the potatoes for Joe's great hash browns.
71 And these are servings of crispy hashed browns right out of the skillet.
72 Assorted bread plates all set to place onto tables
73 Jumbo lump crab cakes awaiting green tomato caper remoulade on the side and a basket of yummy conch fritters
74 The claws are served according to size and the hard shells are expertly cracked before being plated.
75 All that expert cracking allows for easy access to the sweet claw meat.
76 Look who was having dinner! Guy Fieri! Guy sent wine to our table. How nice!
77 There are several desserts to choose from, but who would want to pass up on Joe's Original Homemade Key Lime Pie with its crispy graham cracker crust?
78 The baker who made this pie has been at it for 33-years! He makes about 100 pies per day in his own special Key Lime Pie Room.
79 A photo with Guy
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
As always you look great and your hair are fantastic. Great blog once again.
Posted by: Annie | February 28th, 2012 at 1:45 am
South Beach will always be such a great place for Spring Break and dinner for 600 with Emeril as a chef would be the topper. Marlins and Joes were fortunate to have you there looking so good with your hair up.
Posted by: ann | February 28th, 2012 at 4:41 am
Martha,
Love your South Beach look! You absolutely glow with good health and happiness! The pearls aren't bad either!
Posted by: Cherr | February 28th, 2012 at 7:13 am
What an absolutely wonderful, factual, tour Martha!! Thank you very much. Joe's Crab Shack is my kind of place, and I love Guy Fieri!!
Posted by: Gail Hildreth | February 28th, 2012 at 7:43 am
Your hair looks great up!
Posted by: Bruce Boon | February 28th, 2012 at 8:41 am
I know it's about the benefit and the food, but love the dress + style! brava!
Posted by: brenda | February 28th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Thanks for taking us on your fabulous trip to South Beach Martha. You looked lovely, I don't think I've seen your hair done this way before, perfect for that sexy, Miami vibe! You can tell us Martha, were you flirting with those handsome baseball players?
Posted by: Cindy F | February 28th, 2012 at 9:14 am
You look stunning! Your pearls and dress were perfect.
Posted by: Karen | February 28th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Hi Martha, I love seeing your visits to special events at places all over the world and this tour of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami is not only beautiful but delicious, also! You look so beautiful and the weather looks outstanding and must have been very warm! How fun to not only see Emeril, but all of those great chefs involved in that event! All of these photos are terrific and seeing the 2 websites was fun, too! The Marlins new stadium looks great and how fun to see some of their players who all looked very happy! Susan Magrino must have a great time going to these events-she always looks so happy! Thanks so much for another fun trip and I love them all! Hope you have a great day! Off to see The Daily Wag and F,S,&GK visiting The Martha Show! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 28th, 2012 at 10:33 am
You look amazing Martha, your hair, dress and jewelry. Love!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | February 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Hi Martha,
We’ve waited a long time for a real ballpark for our Marlins but I’m going to miss seeing them at Sun Life stadium where the Dolphins play. Who knows, new stadium –maybe we’ll win the pennant this year! Back in ’93 when the Marlins were a new team, they won the World Series. Now that was exciting! I made signs to flash in our seats and I guess one was so good it got stolen. It was a tomahawk broken in half and said “Chop Phooey”- the opposing team was the Atlanta Braves. How nice to have a SOBE event at the new stadium. The Tribute Dinner prepared with the help of Emeril was quite amazing also. Talk about being organized! Thanks again for sharing some of this yearly event with us. I would like to check the festival out just one time but crowds scare me away. I’m too much of a homebody but I enjoy your pictures! Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 28th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Wow, Martha. I've never seen you looking so radiant! Was it the presence of hunky athletes or the stone crabs?
Posted by: r steven page | February 28th, 2012 at 12:10 pm
Martha,
Looks like lots of fun Martha! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | February 28th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Did you see that?!! The V sign sideways made me laugh. Is that fellow that made the meatballs single? Any man that can cook is a good man.
Martha you really do look Radiant.
It snowed two inches... Spring is postponed, while Winter makes one last show of itself.
I have to go paint now and get lost in color.. it is only green on white outside my windows.
Posted by: Rachel | February 28th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Martha, I always enjoy reading your blog about the people and places you visit. It is great for your viewers and fans to experience them through your eyes. Also, I must say I've never seen you look so elegant....love the hair do....very chic! You should wear it "up" more often.
Posted by: Jean | February 28th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
Fantastic new hairstyle. Look forward to seeing this style more often!!
Posted by: Hawaiian Sunshine | February 28th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
I can't get over how beautiful you look!!
Windblown and casual works for you!!
Posted by: Jill | February 28th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Wow, I just love your hair up Martha!
Posted by: gail pierson | February 28th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Such a nice blog, loved to see what you saw. I like the focus on how organized things have to be and the shot of the plates on the tray racks was interesting. I always marvel at how the names of the dishes are decided upon and then how you can remember them for the blog. The kobi beef pigs in a blanket was a tongue and mind twister.
And I laughed at how there you were poising for pictures with the wind wipping away. Too cool.
If I was one of the bedazzled players I know I would stay way way away from any cook with a sharp knife. Would be sad to lose an ear or two.
Posted by: margie | February 28th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
My husband drove me through the keys for the first time last year. It was gorgeous! Anyway we stopped by a little place for lunch and their appetizer special was stone crab claws with a mustard sauce. I was hooked. On the way home, O made my husband take me to Joes in Miami for dinner. It was awesome of course. Needless to say, my husband said he would be a happy man if he never saw another stone crab.
Posted by: Mary Healey | February 29th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Great photos, love your upswept hair!
Posted by: Kim | March 1st, 2012 at 1:20 am
I like your updo and clothes...entire get up for this event. We like to see more of you in this style.
Posted by: Grace Florendo | March 1st, 2012 at 1:54 am
I'll echo what a lot of the comments have said....I like your hair up. Very pretty!
Posted by: Judy | March 1st, 2012 at 3:40 pm
HUGE HUGE HUGE MARLINS FAN! YOu are so lucky to get the opportunity to meet LoMo and Hanley and do the Lo Viste!!!!
Posted by: creed | March 2nd, 2012 at 5:07 pm
I love your hair up!!
Posted by: lisa fonville | March 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 am
love your hair, martha! do it again
Posted by: Jennifer Penna | March 5th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
My husband and I enjoyed the SOBEFF and I think you have a perfect description of what it was like (love the pictures). Joes Stone Crab was delicious and I loved the creamed spinach and garlic. We brought a Lobster Roll with us on the flight home to Seattle which was decadent, but nothing compares to that Stone Crab. I'm planning to order some for our annual Seafood Boil we host for our neighborhood this summer. Guy Fieri was a lot of fun, the bands were great, and the only thing that would have made our trip nicer would to have been to have met you. You do a wonderful job Martha. Your ideas and style keep the rest of us on our toes. You keep us creative and add color and class to all you do. Thanks for sharing your many talents with us.
Posted by: Lanice | March 7th, 2012 at 3:32 pm