27th Annual Festival of Chefs

Benefiting Easter Seals South Florida Culinary Arts High School

Easter Seals South Florida’s 27th Annual Festival of Chefs was held on November 4th and was a true success thanks to the chefs, artists, in kind donors, volunteers, friends, and event committee. A huge thanks goes out to our Celebrity Chef, Adrianne Calvo, and our generous venue sponsor, Nikki Beach Miami Beach. Proceeds of the event benefits the Easter Seals Culinary Arts High School, a vocational training program for students with autism and other disabilities. At Festival of Chefs, Easter Seals culinary students showcased their abilities with their Mexican ceviche and incredible hospitality.

Guests enjoyed an evening of multi-course gourmet samplings served by some of South Florida’s most popular chefs, delicious fine wines from Exclusive Wine Sponsor, Traversa Wines, beer from Miami Brewing Company and Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co., along with a silent auction of original paintings, sculptures, multimedia artworks, luxurious vacations, upscale merchandise and entertainment by three amazing live artists. Local artist MANO was joined by 11 fellow artists to make this year’s event truly a fine art experience.

Easter Seals wants to thank the following sponsors for their support: Executive Chef Sponsor, Barry Solomon, Sous Chef Sponsor, Shelley Daniel Rutherford, Pastry Chef Sponsors, Goldstein Schechter Koch, Anthony R. Abraham Foundation, Larry Rutherford, Greenberg Traurig, TD Bank, Miami Marlins and Do Unto Others Trust, Foodie Sponsors, Bank of America, Hutzler Foundation, Eugenia Beckwith McCrea, Rossman, Baumberger, Reboso, & Spier, P.A., Chase, Tate Enterprises, Perry Ellis International. Venue Sponsor, Nikki Beach Miami Beach, Exclusive Wine Sponsor, Traversa Wines, Water, Liquor, and Beer Sponsors, CVS Pharmacy, Miami Brewing Company, Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co., ZYR Vodka, and Marlee’s Green Tea Whiskey, Media and Public Relations Partners, Creativas, Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, Citrus Miami, SocialMiami.com, GMG Advertising, Miami Food Lovers.

Event Celebrity Chef Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard and Wine Bar was joined by a remarkable array of chefs for this very special event, including Chef Jimmy Lebron of 27 Restaurant, Chef Tim Andriola of Basil Park, Chef Costas Spiliadis of Estiatorio Milos, Chef Kareem Anguin of The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Chef Assia Dahrouch of Lemoni Café, Chef Chad Lewark of Morton’s The Steakhouse, Chef Frank Ferreiro of Nikki Beach, Miami Beach, Chef Monica Gill of Easter Seals Culinary Arts High School, Chef Rocco Carulli of R House, Chef Jorge Montes of Roho Kitchen, Chef Neima Belancourt of Sensory Delights, Chef Isabel M. Ferreira of Lisboa Grill, and Chef Bogdan Niculae of The Gang Miami. Dessert participants included, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Serendip-a-tea, and The RedLander Restaurant.

Easter Seals Culinary Arts High School program serves young adults ages 14-22 who have autism, Down’s syndrome or other special needs. Through this program students gain life skills and job skills to help them on their journey toward independence.

Easter Seals South Florida has been caring for children, adults and their families since 1942 in Miami-Dade County, and is a leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with developmental, physical and mental disabilities, autism, Alzheimer’s, and other special needs. Easter Seals South Florida impacts more than 2,000 individuals with disabilities and their families each year in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Customized programs focus on the unique needs of the individual and the family.

If you are interested in learning more about Easter Seals South Florida or would like to volunteer or provide financial support, please contact Marta Quintana, VP Development at (305) 547-4765 or www.easterseals.com/southflorida