Coral Gables Wildy Successful 9th Annual Tour of Kitchens Review
On Saturday, February 3rd, the Coral Gables Community Foundation’s Ninth Annual Tour of Kitchens presented by INFINITI of Coral Gables broke attendance records. Over 700 foodies, home-design enthusiasts and architecture admirers ‘toured’ The City Beautiful’s finest kitchens and homes. What a treat it was to see these beautiful and elegant kitchen designs in person! The delicious bites and sips offered throughout the tour surely added so much to the experience as well.
This one was so cozy!
The Tour began with bubbly mimosas and classic breakfast at INFINITI of Coral Gables. It was great munching on juicy fruits and pastries amongst the luxurious INFINITI showroom cars gleaming in the spotlights. Super fun Radio and News Personality Linda Gassenheimer held a Meet and Greet and book signing whilst foodies chatted excitedly about which house they were looking forward to the most. At 10 A.M., tourists began their journey through Coral Gables. We saw it all! From a historic landmark residence in the Italian Village to the Old Spanish residence of Inkberries owner Catalina Perez Cohn in the Golden Triangle neighborhood (my personal favorite of the kitchens that we toured), we explored eight of Coral Gables’ finest private home kitchens while savoring delicious samples from local restaurants such as Swine and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.
Gorgeous place setting
The winner of the 2018 Best Taste award was Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse serving their lamb lollipops and sweet potato casserole which was the absolute bomb!! I had two servings of the casserole, it was so delicious!
High-end kitchen showrooms Snaidero and Miele were stops on the Tour as well as boutique condominium Biltmore Parc. Biltmore Parc was exquisitely designed, it was a real treat to tour the multi million dollar apartment for sale.
By far the most beautiful kitchen
The Closing Event was hosted by Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery where tourists were treated to Martini Prosecco and a variety of desserts such as ice cream from Frice Cream and macaroons from The Biltmore. There was also a silent auction and an “Ask the Experts” panel offered by award-winning kitchen designers Herbert Brito of Brito Design Studio, Julia Johnston of Kitchens for Cooking and Allison Ortiz of Snaidero.
One of our favorite dining room setups
The winner of the 2018 Best Treat Award was Frice Cream with their gourmet ice cream flavors and waffle cones made on-site.
A Tour highlight was the Coral Gables Senior High School’s Culinary Arts Program featuring their student chefs at the home of Committee Chair Venny Torre.
Our choice favorite sampling!
“The success of this year’s Tour of Kitchens enables us to continue our support of the Coral Gables Senior High School Culinary Arts program and the mission of the Coral Gables Community Foundation,” Torre said. “It is a fabulous community gathering year after year.”
Foundation Board member Venny Torre served as the Chair of the Tour for the third consecutive year. Venny is President and CEO of Torre Companies, a full service real estate development, construction management and certified general contracting company known for its attention to quality, creativity and design details.
Venny is also President of the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables’ Board of Directors.
“One of my favorite parts of the Tour is the Coral Gables student chefs showcasing their culinary talents,” said Mary Snow, Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation. “It’s a great way to have the attendees see the fruit of their support and how it really is full circle.”
Proceeds from the Tour of Kitchens benefits the Coral Gables Community Foundation and its Culinary Arts Fund, which provides support and scholarships for the Culinary Arts Program at Coral Gables Senior High School.
The participating restaurants, dessert vendors and home good vendors were Almotti, Amour de Miami, Ashley Jordan, The Biltmore, Bread America, Burger Fi, Cao Chocolates, Coral Gables Garden Club, Coral Gables High School Culinary Students, Dough Miami, Frice Cream, Gilbert’s Bakery, Grate Madeleine, HOUSE Kitchen & Bar, Kristin Pearce Designs, Lolea Sangria, Nautica Design Gallery, Petra Soy Candles, Plume, Polished Coconut, Pretty Joe Coffee, PURE, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Seasons 52, SUSHICLUB, Swine, Spring Chicken, Taberna Giralda, Threefold Café, Victoire’s Armoire, Young Patronesses of the Opera Cookbooks, Z Gallerie and Zucca,
The 2018 Tour of Kitchens was made possible with the support of the following sponsors: INFINITI of Coral Gables; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery; Miele; Snaidero; Torre Companies; Robb & Stucky; MG Developer; City of Coral Gables; Compass; Yamini; Evensky & Katz/Foldes Financial; Bacardi; Kohler; Bermont Advisory Group of Raymond James; EWM; TotalBank; Doctors Hospital; The Biltmore Hotel; Grove Bank & Trust; The Palace; Miami Herald; South Florida Luxury Guide; Waste Management and Miami Kids Magazine.
About Coral Gables Community Foundation
Led by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation provides the philanthropic conduit to connect individuals and corporations looking to positively impact the success of the community. For more than 25 years, The Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to “The City Beautiful.” For more information, please visit www.gablesfoundation.org.
