Chairman David Walker, Honoree
Barbara Amoils and Chef Chair
Michael Bloise at the 16th annual
Feast Among the Grapes

The Hippest Happy Hour in Town!

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On Saturday, more than 750 South Floridians dined, drank, and danced the night away at the 16th annual Feast Among the Grapes, held in cooperation with Wine Spectator at the Radisson Hotel Miami.  Weekend revelers readily delighted in the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of the “hippest happy hour in town,” which truly offered a feast for the senses.  The trendy soiree raised more than $130,000 for the cure-focused work of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI.)

Buzzing with rave reviews, blended with laughter and the enjoyable live tunes of The Fit, the main ballroom was host to sampling stations of 25 restaurants and caterers, plus 40 wineries, spirit and other beverage vendors.  Spanning the horizon of beverages, wine, cocktails, liquor, beer, coffee, tea, water, energy drinks, and more were available.  Mixologists offered such favorites as Bloody Mary’s, Pomegranate Martinis and Mojitos, plus shooters of Tommy Bahama Rum and Milagro Tequila, while several fine imported and vintage domestic wines complemented the savory bites of a wide array of unique and delectable dishes.            

Chef Michael Bloise of Wish at The Hotel of South Beach, who served as the event chef chair, presented a creation of braised shortribs and a Manchego dumpling drizzled with a pepper sauce.  Other delicious hits were: Yellowfin tuna with yuzu ponzu and jalapeno from Emeril’s Restaurant Miami Beach; Barbequed shrimp with apple smoked bacon and tenderloin of beef crostini from Shula’s Steak House at the Alexander Hotel; Chocolate dipped apples and other fruit from Edible Arrangements; and Assorted cake flavors and mini key lime pies from We Take the Cake, one of Oprah’s Favorites.            

Other restaurants making scrumptious contributions included: A Fish Called Avalon, Azul at the Mandarin Hotel, Bizcaya Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Café Sambal, Chispa Restaurant & Bar, Creek 28 at Indian Creek Hotel, CrepeMaker, Edible Arrangements, FIU School of Hospitality Management, Ginger Grove at the Mayfair Hotel & Spa, Grass Restaurant & Lounge, Johnny V South Beach, La Cofradia Restaurant, Mama Jennie’s of North Miami, Neomi’s Grill at the Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort, North One 10, Ortanique on the Mile, Roasters N Toasters, Scorch Restaurant and Wine Bar, Tania’s Table Catering, Timo Restaurant, and Touch Restaurant.

New this year, chefs and participating restaurants were entered into a special raffle in which Chef Sean Brasel of Touch Restaurant scored a 5-day Carnival cruise for two in the owner’s suite.

In an apt display of the non-traditional culinary festival, trumpeters paused the party just after in began, giving a royal welcome to Honoree Barbara Amoils, who was escorted to the stage along a red carpet by her husband, Dennis, where she was formally recognized for her lifetime dedication to the DRI.

Back in motion until midnight, men and women alike affixed their eyes to enchanting belly dancers, who moved seductively through the Moroccan-themed VIP After Party, presented by Rand Eye Institute.  Plump strawberries bounced in “bubbly” as DJ Georges Bouchara spun together a dance floor loaded with VIPs clutching champagne flutes.  An additional repast awaited those who had grooved away their previously-acquired calories, and beverage options continued infinitely.  Tania’s Tables’ Espresso Chocolate Truffles ended the night for many with a good taste in their mouths. 

Fortunate silent auction bidders went home with any of 200 exciting prizes, including several luxurious vacation and local entertainment packages, plus the best of fashion, sports, art and much more.  And heading toward valet parking, VIPs toted a special goody bag filled with such niceties as beaded shoulder jewelry from GirlyGirlStuff.com, lingerie from On Gossamer, and gift certificates from Michael’s Kitchen and The Pewter Parlour, among others.            

Chairperson David Walker offered special thanks to top sponsors including: Wine Spectator, Rand Eye Institute, Southern Wine & Spirits of South Florida, Premier Beverage Company, National Distributing Company, Linda & Jay Finkelstein, Comcast, Love 94, The Miami Herald, Crown Wine & Spirits, Zsweet ®, Dine Magazine, Carnival Cruise Lines, Aventura Mall, Biorep Technologies and Franz Franc Design Group.

Chefs Clay Conley of Azul, Tom Azar of Emeril's and Michael Jacobs of Grass	Chef Michael Bloise and his son, Christopher, serve Aimee Siegel Harris.
	Honoree Barbara Amoils and her husband, Dennis, after their kids made a surprise appearance, bearing flowers for Mom
Lisa Petrillo and Bill McCue	Craig Brotman, Pam Bernstein, Jay & Linda Finkelstein, Dennis & Barbara Amoils and Robin & Brian Gale
Ivan Rodriguez with (l-r) Carmen, Irina, and Vilma Vilarino	Chef Jason Schneider of Bizcaya with Debbie Hanson and Charles Ventury
Representatives of Biorep, a sponsor, and their guests, took a rest on a tented couch in the VIP After Party.	A royal welcome for the honoree