The Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants Participate in Slow Food Miami on Friday

On Friday evening, Slow Food Miami will be hosting the Snail of Approval tasting party at the Raleigh Hotel on Miami Beach. Slow Food Miami is the local 100% volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to “planting a fresher future for our children,” and will hold its 3^rd Annual soiree where you can join Ambassador for the Evening, James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz for what has become Miami’s “Freshest Night Out.” Guests will savor exclusive bites from Miami’s farm-to-table best, hand-crafted cocktails courtesy of 2012 Snail of Approval Award Winner GREY GOOSE Vodka, specialty wines provided by Stellar Wines, Michael’s Genuine Home Brew courtesy of Royal Caribbean International and its new Michael’s Genuine Pub, non-alcoholic refreshments from Whole Foods Market – South Beach, and the iconic Miami Beach setting of The Raleigh Hotel’s fabulous poolside venue. Main event tickets ($85) and limited VIP tickets ($165) can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com. Event proceeds will benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible Garden Program.

The Raleigh Hotel, home to Miami Beach’s quintessential poolside playground and 2014 Snail of Approval winner Restaurant Michael Schwartz, will invite Tasting Party guests to savor bites from an incredible line-up of eighteen of Miami’s farm-to-table best, including current 2014 Snail winners & past Snail party crowd-pleasers such as: 3030 Ocean, Capri, Chef Adrianne’s, The Cypress Room, David Schwadron Catering, Edge Steak & Bar at The Four Seasons, Essensia at the Palms, Huahuas’s Taqueria, Lasso The Moon, Lido Restaurant at The Standard Hotel, LoKal Burger & Beer plus their newest venture KUSH, Lulo Pasta, Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh, The Naked Bite,  Oak Tavern, Pilgrim, Proper Sausage, and Sakaya Kitchen.

The main event Tasting Party will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. poolside at The Raleigh. The VIP After-Party featuring 2014-15 nominees The Bazaar by José Andrés & Katsuya along with live entertainment from a Grammy-winning pianist, will take place from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.

The Slow Food Miami “Snail of Approval” points South Floridians and visitors to food that is good, clean and fair by identifying and honoring producers, purveyors and artisans who contribute to food and drink’s  quality,  authenticity and sustainability. In 2010, Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink was the first recipient, and continues to serve as an ambassador of the program. In its inaugural year, nominations were solicited among Miami-Dade county farmers. Now nominations come from the general public. All nominations are vetted by the Slow Food Miami Snail of Approval Committee. This year’s event will feature a “People’s Choice Award” for the evening’s “Best Bite” voted on by guests and awarded at the end of the main event.

“We love having our Snail of Approval Tasting Party at the peak of South Florida’s harvest season,” says Michele Benesch, Slow Food Miami President. “The continued success of this celebration demonstrates how vibrant Miami’s food & drink has become and how well the community is embracing the farm-to-table movement. Special thanks to our host Chef Michael Schwartz, who pioneered Miami’s farm-to-table dining scene, for helping us honor all that these chefs and producers do for Miami.”

The Raleigh Hotel is located at 1775 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach, Florida. Purchase tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. All proceeds benefit Slow Food Miami’s Edible Garden Program.