On Friday, April 17, VeritageMiami, presented by City National Bank, is kicking the men out of the kitchen—this year's Interactive Dinner lineup is all-female. Watch as last year's chefs challenge the 2015 rookies to create a meal for 700 and meet the female chefs below.
Last year's VeritageMiami chefs challenge the newbies.
Considered one of the year’s most unique culinary experiences, the VeritageMiami Interactive Dinner headliners include sugar and spice and everything nice: Eileen Andrade of FINKA TABLE & TAP; Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar; Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa; Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile; and Dena Marino of MC Kitchen.
Jorge Gonzalez, president and CEO of City National Bank, and wife Melinda, are co-chairing the rambunctious foodie event, where more than 650 guests will cook five courses at their tables under the tutelage of the distinguished chefs. All the interactive cooking will go down at the InterContinental Miami on April 17—all to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade.
Drum roll, please! Now meet the 2015 chefs:
FROM LEFT: Eileen Andrade, Adrianne Calvo, Cindy Hutson, Paula DaSilva, Dena Marino.
Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean
Known for her delectable seafood, chef Paula is opening up the night with her famous clams. Hooked on cooking since she was a child, Paula learned the trade in the kitchen at her family’s Brazilian restaurants. Fun fact: she’s appeared on Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay, has been a guest chef at the James Beard House in New York City, and is a seven-time participant in the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.3030 Ocean is located at Harbour Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Dr., Fort Lauderdale.
Dena Marino of MC Kitchen
Showcasing her rustic Italian approach and the use of seasonal organic ingredients, chef Dena is serving the second course at the Interactive Dinner: the pasta dish. Her refined taste comes from her many years spent under the tutelage of acclaimed chef and restaurateur, Michael Chiarello. Her culinary sophistication has earned her accolades from Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, La Cucina Italiana, Wine Spectator, and the New York Post. Her talents have also been showcased on the Food Network'sFollow That Food with Gordon Elliott; Tom Colicchio’s Eat Drink or Die series; and in January of 2010, she challenged Masaharu Morimoto toBattle Fig on Iron Chef America. MC Kitchen is located at 4141 NE Second Ave., Miami Design District.
Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile
This self-taught chef known for her tropical recipes is diving into the seafood dish. Chef Cindy developed a passion for cooking at the age of nine, and honed her skills through her teenage years. Named Chef of the Year by Chef Magazine in 2011 and Chef of the Year by Eater in 2012, her first restaurant was Norma’s on the Beach, which received the coveted 5-Star Diamond Award for fabulous dining. Her other ventures include Ortanique on the Crescent at Camana Bay on Grand Cayman Island, The Dunmore at Harbour Island, Bahamas, and later this year will open Zest and Zest Mrkt in downtown Miami. Ortanique on the Mile, 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.
Eileen Andrade of FINKA TABLE & TAP
With her unique twists on traditional Latin cuisine, chef Eileen is serving up a meaty fourth course. Her cuisine is inspired by her travels to South Korea and her Peruvian mentor, chef Omar Caycho—and of course, her Cuban roots. She grew up in the kitchen working at her grandfather’s restaurant Islas Canarias, which has been making the undisputed best “croquetas” in town since 1977. After working with her family, Eileen and her brother Jon opened a mobile restaurant CUBANCUBE in 2011. Recently, Eileen has been acknowledged in the Miami Herald’s prestigious list “South Florida’s Food 50” and Zagat Miami’s “30 Under 30.” FINKA TABLE & TAP is located at 14690 SW 26th St., West Kendall.
Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar
Chef Adrianne is putting the cherry on top of the Interactive Dinner with dessert. Graduating top of her class from Johnson & Wales, she first worked under executive pastry chef Patrick Lassaque. Adrianne also spent time in Napa Valley, California, where she sharpened her craft and style under chef Thomas Keller and chef Cindy Pawlcyn. She competed in more than 40 national competitions and became the youngest person to cook for the United Nations. In 2006, Adrianne established the Make It Count Foundation, which benefits children suffering from cancer and their families, and has partnered with over a dozen charitable organizations. She’s a regular on NBC 6 and Univsion 23, and has also competed on Chopped. Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar is located at 11510 SW 147 Ave., West Kendall.
Catch all five accomplished female chefs under one roof at VeritageMiami’s Interactive Dinner on Friday, April 17. For more information or to purchase tickets visit online here.