It was an all-local evening as Slow Food Miami’s annual Snail of Approval Tasting Party honored chefs, farmers, food and drink artisans and purveyors who make it a point to support sustainability and local sourcing.
2025 honorees include Niven Patel of Paya and Ghee Wynwood
• Giorgio Rapicavoli of Mayfair Grill
• Craig Giunta of the new Rosemary’s Miami
• Pedro and Katherine Mederos of Kojin 2.0 in Coral Gables
• Carlo Raciti of Almotti Gluten Free Italian Delicacies
Chef Niven Patel and his Feal Hospitality were also awarded the “Restaurant Group Influencers” Award.
Returning Snail of Approval Award winners participating in the event include Erba; Adrift Mare; Gables Delight; Domaselo; Garcia Nevett Chocolatier de Miami; Laurie’s Pantry; Exquisito Chocolates; Pamela Wasabi Bakery; Radiate Kombucha; Titanic Brewing; Krüs Kitchen; Boia De; Los Felix; Slow Wine and Seasons Farm Fresh.
The winner of the Best Bite of the Night was the Adrift Mare team of chef Juan Carlos Lavalle and Anne-Laure de Roode for their Florida Stone Crab Bocata, made with French baguette, Salsa Verde, Florida Stone Crab Salad, Saffron Aioli, Fingerlime Caviar and microdill.
“The crab toast was an idea we had for lunch,” says Lavalle. They use Sullivan Street Bakery baguette, Harpke Farms microgreens and locally sourced stone crabs. This is the second year in a row Adrift Mare has won Best Bite. “All my team is so happy!” he says.
Slow Food Miami chair Michele Benesch says this is one of the group’s favorite nights of the year. “We’re thrilled to be returning to the one-and-only Eden Roc Miami Beach hotel,” she says. “The event gives us a real opportunity to pay tribute and celebrate the talents, visionaries and dedicated doers who have committed themselves and their businesses to help further Slow Food’s mission.”
Funds raised from the event directly benefit their edible garden school program. “Every year it becomes more important to get to kids and show them what real food is and where it comes from.”
Slow Food Miami’s 14th annual Snail of Approval Tasting Party is sponsored by Eden Roc Miami Beach; Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Jet Set Sound; Brustman Carrino Public Relations; Benesch Investment Group and Menu Men, Inc.
