MIAMI (July 01, 2019) – More than 2,200 food, wine, beer and spirits aficionados came together to eat, drink and unite at VeritageMiami, raising $1.5 million to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade’s work in education, financial stability and health. For the seventh consecutive year, City National Bank was the presenting sponsor of the four-day culinary experience. South Floridians enjoyed an Interactive Dinner led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Fabio Trabocchi, a reimagined Bubbly Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, a Craft Beer Tasting at Wynwood Walls and an exclusive Associate Legal Mingle at the Moore Building.
VeritageMiami kicked off with Craft Beer Tasting, offering more than 100 top-notch local, regional and national craft beers and micro-brews at dozens of tasting stations. Daniel de la Vega and Jon Paul Pérez co-chaired the event, presented by Florida Blue, which was tailored for beer enthusiasts who love food. Guests paired their pints with delectable food from some of South Florida’s top restaurants including R House, Two Chefs, KYU, Wynwood Kitchen & Bar and more. The Wynwood Walls urban art scene made for a stimulating backdrop as visitors mingled, indulged and shook their tail feathers during the event’s samba hour.
Guests were gleaming with enthusiasm at the Bubbly Brunch at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, where Pubbelly’s Chef José Mendín returned to VeritageMiami. Mendin served as the creative force behind the unique menu that included Japanese Amberjack Crudo, Pubbelly Chilaquiles, Softshell BLT Benedicts and Pumpkin Pie Pancakes, among several other mouthwatering options. Presented by Fortune International Group, guests enjoyed savory dishes, raised their glasses with Champagne G.H. Mumm and their paddles to bid on glorious wines, lavish vacations, sparkling jewelry and much more.
More than 600 enthusiastic guests sported cooking aprons and toques as they prepared gourmet dinners à la carte at the Interactive Dinner under the direction of Chef Trabocchi. Named Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef, Chef Trabocchi prides himself on blending his Italian and Spanish family traditions to create one-of-kind dining experiences, and that it was. While imbibing wine and spirits provided by Republic National Distributing Company, guests prepared dishes like Burrata of Buffalo Mozzarella, Sicilian Olio Verde, Risotto of Spring Asparagus, Olive Oil-Poached Branzino, Charred Red Peppers Calabrese Style and Fiola’s Tiramisu with the help of Johnson & Wales University sous chefs at the Intercontinental Miami.
The festivities concluded at the 7th annual Associate Legal Mingle under the world famous “Elastika” at the Moore Building in the Miami Design District where 200 executives, associates, local judges and general in-house counsels from top Miami-based corporations united for the community. As part of a spectacular networking opportunity for young professionals and seasoned attorneys alike, esteemed guests enjoyed cocktails by Bacardi and bites prepared by Mena Catering and CAO Chocolates.
Joining City National Bank as sponsors were: American Airlines, Bacardi, Bank of America, Bilzin Sumberg, Brickell Magazine, Key Biscayne Magazine, Crystal Cruises, Florida Blue, G.H. Mumm, Greenberg Traurig, Miami Herald Media Company/El Nuevo Herald, Ocean Drive, Royal Caribbean Cruises LTD. and Ryder System Inc. at the “Cellar Master” level; Cherry Bekaert LLP, Deloitte, ESJ Capital Partners, EY, Fision, Hotwire Communications, Inktel, Intercontinental Miami, Johnson & Wales University, Newlink, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits, Sunset Corners Fine Wine & Spirits, The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami at the “Cooper” level; Acqua Panna, Akerman, Ascendant, Atlantic Pacific Companies, Baptist Health South Florida, BGI Capital, Carlton Fields, CMG Capital, Edison Chouest Offshore, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, IBERIABANK, INDULGE Magazine, Northern Trust, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Opticaltel, Optimum Capital Partners, Optimum Agriculture, Republic National Distributing Company, SkyRise Miami, Berkowitz Development Group, Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc., Transportation America, Warren Henry Auto Group and Wynwood Walls at the “Sommelier” level.
Trustees included: Mario Abad, Jayne and Leonard Abess, Dora and Daniel Alonso, Linda and Michael Bittel, Jonathan Doyle, Itchko Ezratti, Colleen and Richard Fain, Nelly and Miguel Farra, Lourdes and Benjamiz Fernandez III, Madelaine and Henry Fleches, Kim Delaney and Gus Goldsmith, Melinda and Jorge Gonzalez, Pablo Lucchesi, Carlos Migoya, Jeffrey Miller, Maria C. Alonso and Alex Montague, June and Allen Morris, Susan and Bob Norton, Sonia and Nestor Plana, Leslie Miller Saiontz, Michael R. Simkins, Florencia Tabeni, Lydia and Rudy Touzet, Joshua Wallack, Jorge Woldenberg and Judy Zeder.
For a full list of participating restaurants, wineries, breweries and sponsors please visit www.veritagemiami.com. For event highlights and photo albums, visit www.Facebook.com/VeritageMiami, www.Twitter.com/VeritageMiami or www.Instagram.com/VeritageMiami.
About VeritageMiami
Celebrating its 23rd year, VeritageMiami brings together wine, spirits, beer and food lovers as well as top sommeliers, notable chefs, prestigious wineries and winemakers, breweries and impressive auction lots. All VeritageMiami events benefits United Way of Miami-Dade’s work in education, financial stability and health. For more information, visit www.VeritageMiami.com, www.Facebook.com/VeritageMiami, www.Twitter.com/VeritageMiami or www.Instagram.com/VeritageMiami.
About United Way of Miami-Dade
Since 1924, United Way of Miami-Dade has been an innovative force in the community, successfully responding to emerging needs and transforming people’s lives. Today our work is focused on education, financial stability and health – the building blocks for a good life. We invest in quality programs, advocate for better policies, engage people in the community and generate resources. To learn more, give, advocate or volunteer, visit unitedwaymiami.org, facebook.com/UnitedWayMiami, twitter.com/UnitedWayMiami or instagram/UnitedWayMiami.
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