With salsa music in the air and the aroma of Latin cuisine, The South Beach Wine and Food Festival celebrated Hispanic culture on Saturday night with their “Red Hot Nights” sponsored by Target soiree.
Hosted by celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann, the Ritz Carlton Hotel South Beach was transformed into 1950’s Cuba with music by the Celia Cruz All Stars and Soulfrito DJ Collective.
“This feels like my grown up quinceañera,” said Hoffmann.“Tonight the food represents countries from all over Latin America. I’m very proud to work with an amazing partner like Target who wanted to make everything authentic to our Latin culture.”
Hoffmann danced the night away in a Prabal Gurung for Target ensemble, stopping often to chat with fans and friends who stopped by to show their support. Hoffman's food station was one of the busiest of the night featuring a Shrimp and Scallop Easy Paella and a Cuban Croque Señor sandwich.
“Red Hot Nights” was only one of the events held during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival that celebrated all things Hispanic. According to festival creator Lee Schrager, it was the perfect time to amplify this aspect that represents so much of Miami's culture.
“We are the gateway to Latin America,” said Schrager about his adopted hometown of Miami. “We have so many great Latin chefs and some amazing food coming from all over Latin America.”
“This year we had a demo from Chef Jose Andres held in Spanish, Chef Gaston Acurio had a ceviche party, and we worked with Target in producing the “Red Hot Nights” party that was all about celebrating our Latin friends right here in our backyard" Schrager added.
Local
Local celebrity and stylist to the stars Rodner Figueroa was spotted dancing salsa with costumed dancers before heading over to sample a pork sandwich with garlic sauce made by one of his favorite chefs, Adrianne Calvo.
“Miami is a great city and the culinary aspect here has grown so much lately with the opening of so many great restaurants,” Figueroa said. “It’s a big deal when a corporation like Target gets behind an event like “Red Hot Nights” to celebrate our culture.”
“Miami is the perfect place for an event like the South Beach Wine and Food Festival because it’s where everybody wants to be,” Calvo said. “Everybody loves food and this event rocks!”
