RESTAURANTS & FASHION

from HAITI OPEN Winter 2020

BOOKS & STORIES

business venture.”

Chef Anthony Carron is an award-winning, internationally acclaimed chef, who started 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen in Los Angeles, California. There are multiple locations in California, New York, Cleveland and international

locations in Tokyo and Qatar. King explained that “as a licensee, as opposed to owning a franchise, we have a lot more leeway and input in making the bigger decisions about our individual restaurants.” This proved to be beneficial to both the restaurant and the brand as they

decided to elevate the menu and add a bar component, thus, evolving into a full-service option restaurant within the brand. According to Gorden, “It’s been an interesting journey. We didn’t want to be just a pizza place. It’s all about the great dishes envisioned by Chef Anthony and curated locally, by Chef Eddy Donoso.”

Now open a little over a year, 800 Degrees Aventura draws in Aventura and the surrounding communities, welcoming mall-shoppers, tourists and residents alike, with its elevated, family-friendly menu. Its large patio offers outdoor dining whileitsopenkitchenandwood-fire cooking provides a unique theatrical dining experience inside. This is the perfect space that can accommodate customized events of various sizes. Creative cocktails can be imbibed at the bar. King shared that in 2020, the restaurant will offer food and wine pairing dinners showcasing Wade Wine Cellars, Dwayne Wade’s very own wine label. A second location is scheduled to be opened this year at the Virgin MiamiCentral train station.

Despite their status, Haslem and Wade were clear that their priority was to have the credibility of the restaurant and the food, separate from their celebrity. That is why having the right team is so important. As owners, Haslem and Wade are quite involved in the marketing of the restaurant due to their incredible reach. They also have a say in all menu changes and during the construction, furnishing, décor and uniforms will always provide input. 100% of the proceeds from the hats that are sold in the restaurant go towards the Udonis Haslem Children’s Foundation and

the Wade Family Foundation. 800 Degrees Aventura also supports local community organizations such asJulia’sKids,anon-profitdedicated to children who have suffered grief and loss. Hiring from the local community is also important.

King is very proud of what they have been able to accomplish as a team, “When you walk into the restaurant, you will see a representation of the diversity of the community because that’s who we represent. We are very proud of the collaboration that we have had with the brand and with our teams to put us where we are and are looking forward to adding additional components that continue to draw in the community. Hopefully, this will continue to be a place where people are proud to have their events and to celebrate their special moments.”

“When you walk into the restaurant, you will see a representation of the diversity of the community because that’s who we represent,” says Sylvester King, Jr., Haslem’s business manager.