Johnson & Wales University and Miami Magazine hosted the Zest awards, showcasing and honoring South Florida’s culinary leaders in six categories: culinary innovator, best restaurant 2012, newcomer of the year, baking and pastry innovator, top beverage professional and community leader.

And the winners were:

· Culinary Innovator: Bjoern Weissgerber, Zuma, for creating innovative menu items and restaurant concepts using the latest in technology and techniques.

· Best Restaurant 2012: Sra. Martinez, for standing out above the rest in 2012 both for its delicious food and talented culinary team.

· Newcomer of the Year: Juliana Gonzalez, Barceloneta, for creating a new restaurant concept and quickly garnered a loyal foodie following.

· Baking & Pastry Innovator: Michelle Negron, Timo, for showing exemplary creativity and excellence through innovative menu items and restaurant concepts using the latest in technology and techniques.

· Top Beverage Professional: Isaac Grillo, Haven, for showing excellence in finding the best wines or creating the best cocktails.

· Community Leader: Penny Parham, Miami-Dade Public Schools, for positively impacting the region through culinary initiatives in the community