Miami, March 13, 2017 – Students attending Miami Dade College’s (MDC) renowned Miami Culinary Institute (MCI) will participate in the first Locales Festival with Chef James, an all-day celebration of the City of Miami and its diverse cultures on Sunday, April 2, at Bayside Marketplace in the heart of Downtown Miami. The festival marks Bayside Marketplace’s 30th anniversary.
From 2 – 3 p.m., MCI students will compete in the ultimate cook-off in front of celebrity chefs and special guests. The winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship. The student chefs will be assisted by rapper Fat Joe and 10-year old CEO and cookie entrepreneur Cory Nieves.
Hosted by Chef James Tahhan and produced by the Premier Tourist and Landmark Association, the Locales Festival will feature celebrity chefs from Miami’s top restaurants, as well as live musical performances, film competitions, sports and interactive activities. Celebrity judges include Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile and Zest MRKT; Adrianne Calvo of Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar; Ingrid Hoffman – Host of Top Chef Estrellas, Simply Delicioso and Delicioso; Ana Quincoces – Food Network Star finalist and author of “Cuban Chicks Can Cook;” and Luke Thomas of Luke’s Dining Room at Sanctum on the Green.
Chef James, the official chef of Telemundo and host of its morning show Un Nuevo Dia, is a leading figure in the culinary world, renowned for his unique cooking style that combines his vast knowledge of contemporary Latin American cuisine with his Venezuelan-Syrian-Armenian heritage and his restaurant Sabores. He will host the festival with Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado and wife Ana Cristina Regalado. Chef James will also spearhead the panel of celebrity judges for the culinary student competition.
A portion of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the Miami Bayside Foundation, a non-profit created by Bayside Marketplace developers dedicated to advancing economic development in Miami through small business loans and a large array of scholarship programs with myriad academic institutions in Miami.
Building upon Miami Dade College’s rich history as the largest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the most highly regarded colleges in the nation, the Miami Culinary Institute is a recipe for culinary excellence in the 21st century. Mixing a blend of classic skills and innovative techniques used by the world’s best chefs, Miami Culinary Institute offers an educational experience that is at the forefront of the industry. Through a focused infusion of green-sustainable food and energy technologies, nutrition and culinary knowledge, its aim is to create professionals who will evolve the world’s food culture. Learn more at www.miamidadeculinary.com.
Tickets: Adults (21+) $50; young adults (12-20) $25, 12 and under FREE. VIP packages are also available.
Purchase tickets online at www.localesfestival.eventbrite.com through April 2.
To view the schedule of events and more information, please visit www.localesfestival.com.