FROM THE EDITOR

Eat Your Heart Out

There’s just something about food. Sure, we need it for sustenance and survival. But it’s more than that. Food soothes our souls, invites community, and thrills our taste buds—so it just makes sense to devote an entire issue to the topic (especially in Miami, where the food scene is bursting with new tastes and talents).

But for some people, food is not easy to access. Still others of us toss food away without hesitation, zealously cleaning out our fridges and pantries the night before trash day.

Miami-born artist Reina Noriega is using her talents to help nourish folks experiencing food insecurity in Allapattah with a bespoke community refrigerator bearing her signature faceless women of color. The project, a brainchild of the Buddy System MIA Community Fridge Program, offers food-filled fridges in neighborhoods across the Magic City. Read more about the collab between art and the fight against hunger in “Art with Heart” on page 22.

You’ve heard of the farm-to-fork movement, but chef Niven Patel is taking things to the next level. The proprietor of Mamey, Orno, and Ghee Indian Kitchen, Patel is bringing the farm home— literally. Visit his Homestead-based Rancho Patel in “Farm Fresh” on page 62 to learn about his unique approach to transforming homegrown ingredients into delicious dishes.

One of the newest trends in food prep and delivery is a phenomenon known as ghost kitchens— professional kitchens that churn out delivery-only meals. Miami Beach’s own DJ Khaled has recently launched Another Wing using the ghost kitchen model, offering chicken wings and tenders in seven saucy flavors for delivery via car (or even Jet Ski). Read more in “Ghost Hosts” on page 20.

In a food issue, we’d be remiss to overlook some of the tastiest tipples around. Check out our roundup of four of Miami’s top tequilas on page 88 of our award-winning Gourmand section, bringing you all things trending and tasty on the Miami food and beverage scene each month.

Bon appétit...and salud!

Kristen Desmond LeFevre klefevre@aventuramagazine.com

CAPEHART

l

ON LOCATION FOOD + PHOTOGRAPHY? SAY NO MORE. I WAS FULLY IN MY HAPPY PLACE AT OUR COVER SHOOT WITH FABULOUS FOODIE INFLUENCER SAM SCHNUR OF @THENAUGHTYFORK. FROM A BESPOKE MIAMI-THEMED CAKE (BEDECKED WITH CROQUETAS, BUÑUELOS, AND PASTELITOS) BY DBAKERS SWEET STUDIO, TO MELTIN-YOUR MOUTH SUSHI BY SUSHI YASU TANAKA, TO SLURPWORTHY RAMEN BY HACHIDORI RAMEN BAR, THIS SHOOT WAS BOTH DARING AND DELICIOUS. CHECK OUT A FEW BEHINDTHE-SCENES SHOTS HERE, AND TURN TO PAGE 54 FOR ALL OF SCHNUR’S FOODIE FINDS IN “FORKING AROUND MIAMI.”

April Quick Picks

«GOING GOLDEN

April marks my birth month, and you can’t blame me for adding Golden Goose’s new drop—called Miami Vibes—to my wishlist. These Super-star Miami Journey sneakers (emblazoned with my childhood stomping grounds of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables, among other ‘hoods) are just what I need to celebrate my birthday in style. Page 16.

«UNA CERVEZA, POR FAVOR

Celebrations are more fun with Cuban flair. At Wynwood’s Cervecería La Tropical, the La Tropical La Original on draft is my go-to cerveza Cubana. Page 90.