BACARDI Hosts 4th Annual USBG Legacy Cocktail Showcase

If you're on Instagram and have media or bartender friends in Miami, I'm guessing you were feeling a little tipsy and relaxed last night. What do you get when you put together 16 of the top mixologists in South Florida on a rooftop in the hottest part of Miami, hand them Bacardi Rum and a selection of bitters, garnishes, and other delights, and challenge them to create an  incredible tasting cocktail? You get The United States Bartender's Guild (USBG) Fourth Annual USBG Legacy Cocktail Showcase Regional Competition. Sponsored by BACARDI rum, this year's event took place on Tuesday, January 29th at the rooftop of The Gale Hotel in Miami Beach. The competition showcases the talent of mixologists from four regions across the country and Miami was the last stop before the top eight regional winners move on to compete in the USBG National Legacy Cocktail Showcase, also to be held in Miami on February 25th. Contestants are competing for a chance to create the next historic cocktail, joining the ranks of the BACARDI Mojito and the L. At the National Showcase, three cocktails will be crowned the "New Rum Legacy Cocktails" and the winners will head off on a VIP trip to the BACARDI Catedral de Ron (Cathedral of Rum) in Puerto Rico to present their cocktails in the final national exposition. The global competition to select the final winner, which includes regions from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Africa and Asia, will take place in April 2013 in Puerto Rico.

BACARDI Rum is in party mode, celebrating its 150th Anniversary as the world's favorite rum brand. Many of  the most famous cocktails enjoyed today are made with BACARDI rum: the Daiquiri, Cuba Libre, Pina Colada and of course, the renowned Mojito. BACARDI has won over 500 awards for quality and taste making it the most awarded spirit of all time. There were three featured cocktails being served at the regional competition last night. My personal favorite was the Legacy Daiquiri, a delicious concoction combining Bacardi Superior, Liquor 43, Agave,  pineapple, lemon, black walnut bitters and nutmeg.

The 16 contestants competing for this region were: Cesar Romero from Swine Southern Table & Bar   (Opening soon) with "Morena",  Elad Zvi from The Broken Shaker with "The Rum Diary", Erik Tirums from Loews with "Pele", Freddy Diaz from Alembiq Consulting with "Bacardi Murcielago", Gaston Gonzalez from Wynwood Cigar Factory with "Jake-Mate", Isaac Grillo from Haven with "Scent Sation", James Holiday from Estiatorio Milos with "Mama Superior", Josh Gates from Wine Dive with "Un Nuevo Comienzo" (A New Beginning), Mark Kinzer from Zuma with "Lady Luck", Nick Nistico-Dolce from The Gale Hotel with "Garden Gimlet", Phillip Khanderish from The Setai with "Flordela Pasion", Rob Ferrara from Swine Southern Table & Bar with "I Reminisce" (Opening soon), Rob Husted of Off The Hookah & Bar Wars with "Yellow Jacket", Rob Montero from Clarke's with "Caribbean Crusta", Tommy Merolla from Gotham with "Traditional", and Trevor Albert from Gramps with "Layover in Port Au Prince".

The mixologists were enthusiastic throughout the night and it was obvious creating cocktails is much more than just a recipe to them. "I got my inspiration for 'I Reminisce' from my childhood in Jersey Shores. I would hang out with my grandfather on the hot, summer days and I wanted something that would remind me of that time. So I created a twist on a root beer float. My grandparents recently lost their home to Hurricane Sandy and I wanted to somehow pay tribute to all the victims," said Rob Ferrara from Swine Southern Table & Bar (and formerly from The Dutch) as he pointed to the Hurricane Sandy  T-shirt he was wearing. "Unfortunately, as time passes by, people forget. The victims still remember."

The evening ended with the announcement of the winners. Representing this region in the National Competition are:

Trevor Albert from Gramps with "Layover in "Port Au Prince". The recipe combines BACARDI 8 Year and BACARDI Superior with fresh lime juice, homemade pineapple shrub, homemade orgeat, 1 barspoon of apricot  jam and soda water. He finished it with a pineapple wedge and two maraschino cherries skewered through the top and Mint Plume garnish.

Nick Nistico-Dolce from The Gale Hotel with "Garden Gimlet" The recipe combines BACARDI Superior with lemon, simple syrup, dried Caraway seed, red bell pepper puree, and fresh arugula. He garnished it with a touch of maldon sea salt on a bell pepper slice.

Congratulations and cheers!

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Cecconi's at the Soho Beach House

Photo Courtesy of Cecconi's

Photo Courtesy of Cecconi's

The beautiful weather in Miami is meant to be enjoyed, and when it's January and the temperature is in the 70s, there's nothing like having lunch outdoors. There's a place in South Beach called Soho Beach House; a private members club, hotel and spa, situated in the historic site of the Sovereign Hotel at 4385 Collins Avenue. The Soho House was initially founded in London in 1995 as a private club for those in the entertainment industry. Since its inception, Soho House has grown to include other Houses in Europe, as well as in North America. Miami Beach's exclusive location has 50 bedrooms, its own private beach, gym, screening room and two pools; along with indoor and outdoor dining.

Photo Courtesy of Cecconi's

Amazing ambiance

It is here, in this picturesque setting that I came for lunch last week with some new foodie friends. Just like the properties in London and West Hollywood, the Soho Beach House offers Venetian-inspired dishes in its Italian restaurant Cecconi's. Cecconi's was the dream-come-true for Enzo Cecconi,  the youngest ever general manager of the Cipriani in Venice. It was a hot spot for celebrities and royalty alike. After 21 years, Cecconi's closed but within a year, it opened under new management. In 2005, Soho House took full ownership and revitalized the popular venue.

With Chef Sergio Sigala in this Fall's Italian Culinary
Experience with Casa Vinicola Zonin

Cecconi's serves traditional Italian cuisine daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and although Soho Beach House is a private club, the restaurant is open to the public. Located in a beautiful garden courtyard surrounded by Silver Buttonwood Trees and miniature lights, the place is reminiscent of an Italian trattoria in Tuscany. At the helm of Cecconi's, is renowned Executive Chef Sergio Sigala. I had the opportunity to experience a taste of Chef Sigala's culinary talent during a wine pairing event with Casa Vinicola Zonin back in September of 2012  (Read about it at Italian Culinary Experience hosted by Casa Vinicola Zonin). Born in a small village in Northern Italy, Chef Sigala has had a passion for cooking since the age of 13. His vast experience in the kitchen started by simply observing his mother and grandmother create their dishes, and went on to include his graduating at the top of his class from culinary school. He spent years training in renowned restaurants in Europe, including Michelin-starred Al Bersagliere in Goito, Italy and Ristorante Villa Fiordaliso in Lake Garda, Italy. You may recognize Sigala from Casa Tua in Miami Beach, which he opened in 2000, and served as Executive Chef.

Goat Cheese & Black Truffle Pizza

Beef Tartare

Once I basked in the ambiance for a few minutes, I looked over the menu. There were several dishes that sounded interesting so we ordered a few to share. My personal favorite was the Goat Cheese & Black Truffle Pizza.  The melted goat cheese worked perfectly with the truffle, creating an ecstasy of flavors that blew me away. I also tried the Beef Tartare made with celery and pecorino, topped with a quail egg and served with crostini. Anytime I see a dish on the menu that comes with a quail egg, I have to have it. I was very glad I did. The beef was fresh and the mix was flavorful; an excellent formula for a refreshing lunch time plate.

Branzino

Risotto

We also shared the Branzino, topped with a colorful blend of taggiasca olives, tomatoes and capers. The Branzino was perfectly seasoned and remarkably tender. I enjoyed the harmony of flavors found in the union of the fish and the seared vegetables. Our waitress recommended we try the Risotto with butternut squash, speck and fontina cheese. The taste was mild, but the risotto's texture was rich and creamy.

Tiramisu

Panna Cotta

It was time for the Dolci finale of the meal and I was ready. We ordered the Tiramisu and the Vanilla Panna Cotta. The Tiramisu was a testament to its name; a true "pick me up" of semi-sweet cool creaminess. The Vanilla Panna Cotta was outrageous! Layered with caramel, crumbled cookies, and a sprinkle of sea salt, the combination was pulsating. It's no wonder I love Italy so much.

La Dolce Vita
Photo Courtesy of 
Cecconi's

Chris Ojeda
Photo Courtesy of Cecconi's

Lunch was a fabulous adventure of great new friends, wonderful food, and excellent service in a charming ambiance. I can't wait to return. Rumor has it Cecconi's has an incredible brunch and I plan on telling you all about it very soon. And if you need to unwind on Friday, Chris Ojeda, Creative Bar Director of Soho House, has concocted a number of new cocktails using locally-sourced ingredients that will help you welcome the weekend in style. For more information, visit Cecconi's at http://www.cecconismiamibeach.com/ or call them at 786-507-7902.

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Miami Food Tours

Seeing Miami through the eyes
of a tourist!

As a tourist in a foreign place, I love taking tours and learning a little bit about the culture and the dynamics that make each city I visit unique. Although Miami is a melting pot of everything from cultural diversity to gastronomical fusions, I often overlook some of the things that make the Magic City pulsate simply because I've lived here all my life. A few months ago I enjoyed a culinary tour that gave me a glimpse into the ins and outs of South Beach, and just last week, I experienced another food tour that truly inspired me to appreciate the essence of my hometown: Miami Food Tours.

Bet you don't know the story behind this historic sign.
Book a Miami Food Tour and find out.

Miami Food Tours was founded by Kelly Woodward in 2010, after realizing how much she enjoyed sitting at the cafes and local dining spots in the over 20 countries she's traveled to. Having a background in the architectural field, many of Kelly's conversations in these picturesque cafes revolved around the topic of architecture and history. She decided to share this passion with others through the heart and soul of every culture- its cuisine. Thus, Miami Food Tours was born and ever since, Kelly and her staff have been curating SoBe Tour des Forks, a lunch tour that highlights the Art Deco District from Lincoln Road to Espanola Way and Ocean Drive for both tourists and locals alike. Introducing people to hidden gems through mouth-watering tastings in 5 different stops, Kelly brings to life the rich history of how Miami Beach became the hot spot it is today.

The Cafe at Books & Books

Sampler

Our tour guide was Kelly herself. Right at the onset of our tour, Kelly told us she had three goals: that we learn a little about the history and architecture of Miami Beach, have a great time in the process, and walk out with a satisfied tummy. I am happy to say all of Kelly's goals were met- and then some. Our first stop was The Cafe at Books & Books on Lincoln Road. Founded by two pioneers of the South Florida scene, innovative Chef Bernie Matz and book store guru Mitchell Kaplan, Cafe at Books & Books combines the Miami Nouveau cuisine of Matz with the literary passion of Kaplan; all in a trendy South Beach ambiance. Kelly explained the interesting beginnings of this establishment as well as the inspiration behind Matz's healthy cuisine.  At this stop we had a sampler consisting of Mexican Inspired Ceviche, Black Bean Hummus, Avocado Salsa and Roasted Corn Salad. The Latin influences this chef is known for were evident in every bite. After a few minutes of people watching and fun conversation, we headed out to our next stop.

   Lincoln Road Landscape. Look carefully at the picture. What do you
see in some of the branches, and in a tiny hole at the top of the trunk?

Along the way, Kelly explained some history and culture. One of the main things that stood out for me was how she brought the information to life; taking us through the peaks and valleys of Lincoln Road's existence by way of Carl Fisher, the Father of Miami Beach. Between stops, she told us the story of his life, accentuating the romantic elements and the tragedies that shaped and transformed this famous neighborhood. I was captivated. So much so, that as soon as I got home, I went straight to Google.  I wanted to keep learning more about this interesting side of my city and the people who shaped it. But back to the food, our next stop was Abuela's Kitchen, for a guava and cheese "pastelito" and a "colada". The others in the group were tourists and we had so much fun talking about the many different customs and traditions we were able to find just walking up and down these streets.

Cheers! - the Miami way!

After that Cuban java jolt, we moved on to our third stop, a Brazilian restaurant known as Boteco Copacabana. In Brazil, the term "boteco" refers to a hangout spot where friends can go have some cold drinks and tasty appetizers. It is relaxing and low-key and a great place for a Caipirinha. Once I bit into the tasty Coxinha and drank the sweet, refreshing Cashew Juice, I felt like I was really in Copacabana; a section in Rio right next to Ipanema. The mix of shredded chicken with the spices and cheese in the Coxinha was mind blowing.

A piece of Brazil on Espanola Way

Lomo Saltado

A must try!

Continuing the fascinating story as we admired some distinct architectural designs, we made our way over to a Peruvian spot called Chalan on the Beach. I must tell you this was my favorite stop. We tasted two dishes: the Ceviche and the Lomo Saltado. Both dishes were superb. The flavors were very authentic and pleasing to the palate. It was also very interesting to learn about the generosity of its owner and how much he gave back to his country.

Ceviche

By this point, I wasn't sure I could have another bite. The portions were generous throughout the tour and I was extremely satisfied. However, once we crossed the street, and I saw stop number five, I knew I'd make room for a little dessert. It was The Frieze Ice Cream Factory, home to some homemade kosher ice cream. There were plenty of flavors to choose from and I indulged my sweet and salty addiction with the Salty Caramel.  Creamy and sweet with a hint of saltiness, it was a happy ending to a foodgasmic day.

A cool ending, sort of speak?

The lunch tour lasted about three hours and we walked for approximately 1.5 miles. The weather was beautiful, the food was delicious and representative of our city, and Kelly made the whole adventure come together. If you're from out of town and want to experience Miami though your taste buds, this is one great way to do it. For more information, visit Miami Food Tours online at http://www.miamifoodtours.com/.

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