Foodie events can at times be overwhelming and prohibitively expensive, but the Snail of Approval Tasting Party was one of the Best Miami foodie events of the year. The Slow Food Miami event was an unparalleled balance of delectable & healthy food, moderate quantities, great value and was all for a very worthy cause. This was an exceptional D/F (Dollar/Foodgasm) ratio for a Miami foodie event.
Most culinary events try to pack in as many restaurants as possible. When there are 40+ vendors on hand, it’s virtually impossible to sample everything unless you have the gluttonous stamina of Fat Bastard. Slow Food Miami only invited around 25 of Miami’s finest restaurants and farms to participate. I was able to sample everything and still had room to go back and pound my favorites.
The $85 entry was affordable, especially compared to what a meal at a nice restaurant costs these days. It also benefited Slow Food Miami’s Edible Garden Program, which “creates environmental education programs for children and adults, preserve green space, and promote green living,”
The event was held at the lush Miami Beach Botanical Garden and featured farm-to-table bites from Snail of Approval winners/chefs, garden-to-glass cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka, wines by Vinecraft, hoppy brews from local brewmasters and non-alcoholic refreshments from Daddy Brews and Whole Foods Market.
The celebratory evening honored 2014 – 2015 Snail of Approval winners: Meat Market; Basil Park; Blackbrick; Khong River House; Café at Books & Books at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; Oolite Restaurant & Bar; Zak the Baker; Daddy Brews; Siena Tavern; Vagabond Restaurant and Bar; Seagrape; and Bianco Gelato. A returning lineup of past Snail of Approval winners included: Harry’s Pizzeria; Chef David Schwadron Catering and Event Design; jugofresh; Edge Steak & Bar at The Four Seasons; 3030 Ocean; The Dutch; Lido Restaurant & Bayside Grill at The Standard Hotel; and The Naked Bite. The 4th annual soirée also spotlighted the key players on the Slow Food Miami movement – local farms Verde Gardens; Three Sisters Farm; LNB Groves; Swank Farm; FARMfreshMIAMI; and garden-makers Ready-to-Grow.
This year, guests awarded Chef Alex Chang of Vagabond Restaurant and Bar the “People’s Choice Award” for the evening’s “best bite” – his dish, Cobia Tartare with yuzu, avocado and quinoa was quite nice and refreshing
The evening also featured a “Best Bite of the Night” awarded to Chef Paula DaSilva of 3030 Ocean for her banging Florida Rabbit Taco with Swank Farm slaw and fermented pepper sauce.
The Snail of Approval Tasting Party was incredible, so make sure to catch the next Slow Food Miami event.
