More Than $100,000 Raised for Local Non-Profit Programs at Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration presented by Florida Blue
More than $100,000 was raised for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Special Olympics Miami-Dade and Broward and the Orange Bowl Leadership Academy at the 2017 Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration (OBFW) presented by Florida Blue at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center. More than 1,000 tickets were sold—the most ever for the event--in support of these organizations and for patrons to enjoy a night of extraordinary food and entertainment.
Over the years, the Orange Bowl has been able to invest millions of dollars in the South Florida community through its four pillars of community outreach: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts.
The Orange Bowl Committee and Make-A-Wish Southern Florida surprised 6-year old “Wish Kid” Antonella by bringing her on stage to be greeted by Hawaiian dancers and a lookalike Moana, Antonella’s favorite Disney princess. She was then told that her wish to go with her family to Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii, has been granted.
Artisan Beach House, run by executive chef Paula DaSilva, received the overall “Flavor of South Florida” Award, voted by a celebrity panel of judges headed by INDULGE Magazine Editor Evan Benn. Other judges’ awards went to Ms. Cheezious as Best Miami-Dade Restaurant and 3030 Ocean for Best Broward Restaurant. The judge’s also awarded Best Dessert to Miami Beach EDITION Hotel-Matador Room by Jean-Georges Vongerichten & Market at EDITION by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The People’s Choice Awards for Best Bite went to Boatyard and for Best Dessert went to SoBe Promos.
Johnny Alexander was recognized for the significant impact he has made in the community with the Orange Bowl Keith Tribble Community Service Excellence Award. Johnny Alexander has been involved with youth sports in the Fort Lauderdale area for nearly 50 years, including 40 with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. His guidance and dedication have resulted in many great athletes having come from the area to exceed at the collegiate and professional level. Alexander is a graduate of Dillard High School where he served as captain of the baseball, basketball, football and track and field squads. Among his many awards, he has been enshrined in the Florida Track & Field Hall of Fame.
The highly acclaimed executive chef of Artisan Beach House, Paula DaSilva, who was the runner up on season five of Hell’s Kitchen, served as celebrity chef. The evening was hosted by Lisa Petrillo, the Entertainment and Lifestyle Reporter for WFOR, CBS4 in Miami. Evan Benn, editor in chief of INDULGE, the Miami Herald’s luxury lifestyle magazine, served as judges’ captain.
Winners:
Overall “Flavor of South Florida”– Artisan Beach House
Heirloom tomato Gazpacho, smoked octopus ceviche, crispy garlic
Best Broward Restaurant – 3030 Ocean
Charred octopus with farro, feta, arugula and almond romesco
Best Miami-Dade Restaurant – Ms. Cheezious
Smoked brisket melt (house smoked brisket, porter braised onions, aged cheddar on locally baked sourdough)
Best Dessert – Miami Beach EDITION Hotel-Matador Room by Jean-Georges Vongerichten & Market at EDITION by Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Florida Citrus Spectacular (cara-cara orange, Tahitian vanilla cremeux, tangerine-opalys namelaka, puffed rice croquants, earl gray)
People’s Choice: Best Bite – Boatyard
Tuna tacos (yellowfin tuna, mango, hot and sour sauce, crispy wonton)
People’s Choice: Best Dessert – SoBe Promos
Ninashe’s Famous Banana Pudding
Much of the success and longevity of the Orange Bowl Food & Wine Celebration can be attributed to Florida Blue, the presenting sponsor, which is joined by associate sponsors Capital One, Coca-Cola, Dave & Buster’s, Deloitte, Delta Business Solutions, Florida Prepaid College Board, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hard Rock Stadium, NCCI, Oak & Cane American Craft Rum, Pernod-Ricard USA Wines & Champagnes, Stella Artois, Toyota, Wizard Creations and our media sponsors CBS South Florida Television Stations, WFOR-TV & WBFS-TV.
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