11:30 AM |
TED MENDEZ
Executive ChefThe Mayfair At Coconut Grove |
Ted Mendez has developed a multitude of cuisine, concepts and events in South Florida over the last 20 years. A Miami native of Cuban descent Ted trained in Paris, France where he interned at Au Quai Des Orme, and began learning the dedication of Michelin star restaurants. Returning to Miami with European training, Chef Mendez developed his passion, winning chef of the year with Chefs in America 1996. Conceptualizing and opening Barton G the Restaurant, The Villa Versace and Prelude at Miami Arche. Ted would then move to Coconut Grove where he would hone his craft at boutique hotels Grove isle and The Mayfair, receiving accolades from New Times, Miami Herald and James Beard Foundation. @mayfairhotel |
12:30 PM |
MARIA DAKIS
Fox’s MasterChef Junior Season 6 Contestant |
Maria has been cooking since she was two years old when she made her first batch of brownies with her Godmother! She learned to use a knife and made it on to compete on Fox’s Masterchef Jr. with Gordon Ramsay at the yound age of 8! She has been able to attain fans all over the world – USA, Sri Lanka, Australia, India, and more! @juniorchefmaria |
1:30 PM |
RICHARD GRUICA
Captivating CroatiaGood Eats & Meets |
Chef Richard Gruica is a Croatian-American chef born in Jamaica. His passion for cooking, and his love and enthusiasm of bringing people together over excellent food, wine and fun is the driving force that led him to find innovative ways to share his passion through his successful food-centric ventures. @goodeatsmeets @capcroatia |
2:30 PM |
RALPH PAGANO
Naked Taco
TV Host, Balancing Act
Ralph on the Road
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His passion for all things eating, drinking and being merry is translated everyday at his restaurants. Naked Taco on Miami Beach is a full on love affair with Ralph and all things tacos, tequila, and Dia de Los Muertos.Ralph has been to Hell and Back with Gordon Ramsay, battled Iron Chef vs Bobby Flay and is internationally known as the Pressure Cook. A true expert in food and drink, Ralph’s signature style of great food + great drinks + good time is recognized worldwide.
@ralphpagano @nakedtaco @balancingacttv |
3:30 PM |
PAUL ACETO
 The Fit Chef Silver Spoon Events |
Private chef and owner of Silver Spoon Events, Paul has worked under and alongside some extraordinary chefs, from Miami’s own Michelle Bernstein, Clay Conley to Eric Ripert.
As an Ironman finisher and an avid health and fitness aficionado, Paul understands the importance of giving the body the fuel it needs through a balanced diet and nutrition. He takes pride in the food he puts on people’s plates, using fresh organic local and regional ingredients, and cultivating relationships with farmers and markets in the area. He can be found scouring the local Farmers Markets in search of fresh and unique seasonal ingredients.
@chefpaulaceto |
4:30 PM |
MICHAEL BELTRAN
Chef/OwnerAriete and Navé Restaurants |
Born and bred in Miami, Chef/Owner Michael Beltran of Ariete, Chug’s A Cuban Diner, and Navé, has garnered rave reviews and collected an impressive handful of accolades like Eater’s “Restaurant of the Year”, Miami New Times “Best New Restaurant,” a feature in Bon Appetit magazine and in The New York Times. Beltran can be found creating something new in the kitchen, running his notorious PIG Inc. apparel line, tackling industry topics on his podcast, “Pan Con Podcast,” or seen all over the Magic City partaking in community events to raise awareness and elevate Miami’s culinary scene on a national and global scale. @piginc @arietemiami @navemiami |
11:30 AM |
ASHLEY STANTON Executive ChefRitz Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami |
Born & Raised in Buffalo, NY, Ashley Stanton is the Executive Sous Chef for The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami. Ashley Stanton has a Culinary Arts degree from Johnson & Wales University and twelve years of hospitality experience. Ashley is an active participant of her community and is a member of the Les Dames de Escoffier. She has won Five Star Leader of the Year in 2016 and has been nominated several times. @ritzcarltoncoconutgrove |
12:30 PM |
ALAIN LEMAIRE
Owner, Executive ChefLemaire Hospitality Group |
Alain Lemaire is a former Food Network Cutthroat Kitchen contestant and an award winning chef out of South Florida. He is the Co-Owner and Executive Chef of Sensory Delights, LLC based in Florida and also of Arome Catering based in Petion-Ville, Haiti both full service catering companies. Alain Lemaire is a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he first discovered his interest in cooking. Thanks to his heritage and having spent most of his career in South Florida Caribbean and Latin flavors play a major role in Alain’s style of cooking. @alainlemaire |
1:30 PM |
CHEF MICHAEL FINIZIA
Executive ChefMiami Marlins / Marlins Park |
Known for his innovative creations and deep appreciation for South Florida’s signature flavors and fresh produce. Chef Michael’s dedication to culinary excellence and perfecting the art of food goes beyond the ballpark–he also works in the community to inspire others to find beauty and creativity in food. Whether dining in concessions or in premium spaces, fans at Marlins Park can get a true taste of Miami thanks to the vision of Chef Finizia and the entire Levy culinary team. @marlinschefmichael @marlins |
2:30 PM |
BERNIE MATZ
Culinary DirectorBodega Taqueria & Tequila |
Chef Matz is the executive director of culinary for the Menin Hospitality group. Chef Bernie brings a unique flair and his passion for cooking to many of their outlets. Now a staple in the Miami culinary scene, Chef Bernie originally attended the University of Florida and graduated with his MBA in Finance in 1984. He is a connoisseur of tacos and looks forward to continuing to grow the to delicious cuisine available in South Florida. He is currently the Executive Chef of South Beach Bodega Taqueria y Tequila. The late night taqueria serving up authentic tacos is steps from famed Lincoln Road Mall and is the perfect before or after movie date spot. The menu is centered around flame broiled meat cooked on a rotating spit, tacos and tortas range from the traditional meats topped simply with red onion and cilantro, to the unexpected, like The Panza with guajillo braised pork belly, charred onions, fried jalapenos, cilantro and red mole sauce. Bodega serves “Shepard Style” Mexican street food straight out of a vintage Airstream taco truck, filling the areas void for vibrant, authentic Mexican cuisine. With Latin hip-hop blaring in the background, Bodega specializes in mouthwatering tacos and tortas, homemade sodas and authentic beverages in a dynamic, eclectic Mexican “puebla” inspired setting. @berniematz @bodegataqueria |
3:30 PM |
PAULETTE BILSKY-PHILLIPS
Corporate Demo ChefMilam’s Markets |
Chef Paulette Bilsky is the Corporate Culinary Consultant to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and Corporate Demo Chef for Milam’s Markets. In 2015 she became the Corporate Executive Chef for ElectriChef Electric Grills, current Owner/Chef, Rolling Kitchens, LLC. In March 2018, Chef Paulette had the honor of being invited to Guest Chef at the James Beard House, New York. When developing recipes, Chef Paulette focuses on recipe modification that incorporates “super foods” and locally sourced whole foods properly prepared in order to have the most “nutritious & delicious’ food possible. |
4:30 PM |
BERNARDO ESPINEL / MALKA ESPINEL 
Senior Faculty Instructor /Baking & Pastry Instructor Miami Culinary Institute |
With over 20 years of experience, Chef Bernardo Espinel has worked as a chef for distinguished restaurants in world-renowned hotels and resorts including the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami and Kura Hulanda Resort in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. He has extensive experience in menu development that includes Indian, Asian, Latin-Caribbean, Mediterranean, and American Contemporary influences. Chef Bernardo is now training future chefs the essential skills, they need for success in the kitchen, management of employees, and restaurant operations. Chef Malka Espinel is perhaps one of South Florida’s pre-eminent pastry chefs. Born in Colombia, Espinel credits her love for desserts to numerous hours spent in her grandmother’s kitchen. Her Latin roots spur her eclectic creations; an artful fusion of Latin flavors and complex textures, paired with the simplicity of classic American pastry art. She has carved a name for herself, not only in South Florida, but nationally, having graced the pages of such respected magazines as Chocolatier and Pastry Art & Design, among others. |
Attendees of the popular event will now be able to satisfy their appetites and palates for fine cuisine in a more intimate setting as part of this new concept. A small group of cooking enthusiasts will attend three separate private sessions hosted by three of South Florida’s most distinguished chefs Allen Susser, Jeff McInnis and Norman Van Aken. (see schedule and bios below) Chef Norman was hailed as the “big dog of Florida cooking” by the great Anthony Bourdain. The Smithsonian Magazine wrote: “Before the celebrity chef craze… before the start of Food Network, Norman Van Aken was starting a revolution. He was doing something unheard of at the time, taking local ethnic flavors, merging them together at restaurants where he worked.” The exclusive Norman Van Aken’s Chef Table will be located in the heart of Meyers Park. Each of the three sessions will offer a 60-70 minute personal cooking demonstration on preparing two of the noted chefs’ signature dishes. Proceeds from this new event will help to fund scholarships presented by the CGAF to qualified culinary arts students. For more information on Norman Van Aken please refer to his website: normanvanaken.com |
12:00 PM |
ALLEN SUSSER Culinary Director, Cafes For Books & Books Author, Sustainable Hospitality Consultant, James Beard Award Winning Chef |
Chef Allen Susser is a James Beard Award winning Chef. He has a passionate commitment to local fresh ingredients. The New York Times called Allen the “Ponce De Leon of New Florida cooking”. Food & Wine magazine named Chef Allen “One of the Best 10 Chefs in America”. Chef Allen’s Consulting is a boutique sustainable restaurant and hospitality consulting firm – providing strategic initiative, culinary resources, and innovative direction for the industry. One of his current projects is pioneering chocolate in St Lucia, West Indies. His Emerald Estate Vintage Chocolate is a bean to bar authentically hand-crafted organic Chocolate. @allensusser @booksandbooks |
2:00 PM |
JEFF MCINNIS
Chef Partner of Mi’talia Kitchen & Bar, Root & Bone and Stiltsville Fish Bar |
JJeff McInnis was born in a small southern fishing town called Niceville FL. He attended Culinary School at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston South Carolina. McInnis cooked his way into the finals of the popular television show, “Top Chef.” In 2010, McInnis became the Executive Chef for the Miami based restaurant, “gigi”. Utilizing his signature culinary style, McInnis developed a highly acclaimed menu, catapulting gigi into the limelight. Jeff was nominated Peoples Choice Best New Chef, Food and Wine Magazine 2011. Then, McInnis’ returned to his true culinary roots, with the opening of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in 2011. During his tenure at Yardbird as Chef/Partner, he and the restaurant were Best Chef South and Best New Restaurant. He also received three James Beard nominations in two years. In 2014, Jeff joined forces with his future wife and business partner Janine Booth. The business partners made a bold move to Manhattan with their first partnership restaurant opening Root & Bone. The menu specializes in Southern fare and country comforts. In just one short year the restaurant received numerous accolades, including being named the Best New Fried Chicken in NYC by Eater. In 2017 the pair opened a local fish house concept in Miami Beach, Stiltsville Fish Bar. In the heart of Sunset Harbour the concept focuses on Florida seafood. This amazing duo recently opened another fabulous restaurant in South Miami bringing their signature made-from-scratch approach of Italian cooking to Mi’talia Kitchen + Bar. Janine and Jeff are most proud of their love for one another and the family they’ve built over the years. They have two beautiful daughters Bryce & Sunny McInnis who are by far their best recipe yet. @Chefmcinnis @Stiltsvillefishbar @Rootnbonemia @Mitaliakitchen |
4:00 PM |
NORMAN VAN AKEN
Chef’s Table Director, Chef, AuthorJames Beard “Who’s Who” |
Norman Van Aken is best known for introducing “fusion” into the lexicon of modern cookery. He is also known as the “founding father of New World Cuisine” – a celebration of Latin, Caribbean, Asian, American and African flavors thus pioneering a new, visionary way of cooking in America. He is the only Floridian Chef inducted into the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s list of “Who’s Who in American Food and Beverage”. He was a 2016 MenuMasters Hall of Fame inductee along with previous winners Wolfgang Puck and Jacques Pépin. @normanvanaken |