Feast with the Beasts

Benefits Zoological Society of Florida

Friday, March 7, 2008
Miami Metrozoo
12400 S.W. 152nd Street, Miami
305-255-5551, ext. 111

The Zoological Society has its sights set on raising the bar on last year’s Feast with the Beasts, which will be quite a feat. The 2006 gala Feast hosted more than 1,000 guests and raised more than $225,000 to benefit ZSF’s education and conservation programs on behalf of Miami Metrozoo. There were more than 30 of South Florida’s finest dining establishments and caterers taking part, and this year at least 40 are expected.

Guests will roam the Zoo’s pathways, careful to look out for wild animals, of course, and discover delicious new indulgences around each turn. A few selections on last year’s menu were Paella Valenciana from Bijan’s on the River, Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s legendary Beef Tenderloin au Poivre, Tropical Chinese’s Peking Duck, and savory jumbo scallops from Two Sisters at the Coral Gables Hyatt – just to name a few.

In addition to the culinary delicacies, expect exciting musical performances, full open bars with an array of spirits, wild animal encounters, and extravagant raffle prizes. “Feaster” tickets are $175, and special “Beastkeeper” VIP tickets are $500 and allow guests access to the event an hour earlier and includes private seating for cocktails and dining in an exclusive lounge. There’s complimentary valet parking for all guests.

About the Zoo

One of the world’s great zoos, Metrozoo houses more than 1,200 wild animals in a cageless setting that closely approximates the animals’ natural habitats and gives the visitor the feeling of embarking on an international safari. Large, open-air exhibits allow visitors to enjoy beautiful and endangered wildlife at a safe yet remarkably close range. With nearly 300 developed acres on a 740-acre parcel of land, Metrozoo is the only zoo in the continental United States located in a subtropical climate. This enables the Zoo to showcase animals that cannot easily be exhibited in colder climates.

Metrozoo offers guided tram tours, walking tours, fascinating behind-the-scenes tours, the Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station, an educational Wildlife Show, an interactive show at Nick Jr.’s Diego’s Discovery Den, an elevated air-conditioned monorail tour, Safari quadracycles, water cycles by Lakeside Grille, state-of-the-art playgrounds and water play areas for children, dining areas scattered throughout the Park, and a gift shop. Miami Metrozoo is voted # 1 for family fun in Miami by the Best of Citysearch, consistently voted by the readers of South Florida Parenting Magazine as Miami’s best attraction, by the Miami Herald readers as the “Best Family Outing” and by the Zagat Survey® as the “Top-Rated Attraction in Miami” by travelers who have experienced traveling with children.

The Zoological Society of Florida (ZSF), founded in 1956, is the nonprofit support organization for Miami Metrozoo. Today, it is one of the largest membership organizations in South Florida with activities and programs that include marketing programs, volunteer services, education programs, special events and member programs.

Miami Metrozoo is located at One Zoo Boulevard, 12400 S.W. 152nd Street (1/2 mile west of the Florida Turnpike Extension in Miami, 3 miles west of U.S. 1 and 20 minutes southwest of Miami International Airport). It is open every day, including holidays, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors and military personnel, $6.75 for children 3-12, and free for children 2 and under and Metrozoo members. For more information, visit www.zsf.org.

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