Can you smell it? It must be time for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. An all-star lineup of celebrity chefs are in town including Michelle Bernstein, Paula Deen, Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentis, Emeril Lagassi (Bam!), Rachael Ray and more. The Standard’s own Executive Chef Mark Zeitouni is in the thick of it as well, participating in Moet Hennessy's The Q — the festival’s famous BBQ extravaganza. Hosted by Paula Deen and her two sons, Jamie and Bobby, The Q invites 40 of the top BBQ chefs from across the country to sample their chicken, brisket, pork ribbs, pork butts or whatever else can thrown on the grill.
What did Chef Mark cook? “We grilled smoked beef heart, thinly shaved with curried chick peas and grilled bread. We wanted to serve something a little different than the prime cuts that most restaurants purchase. Especially with the way we are preparing this dish, with the meat cured, then smoked and thinly sliced, it is the perfect preparation for this muscle. It takes on a similar flavor and texture as tongue, a long time favorite of Deli’s and most cultures outside of the U.S.,” Chef Mark explained.
With free-flowing champagne and live beats by Miami’s own Suenalo Latin funk fusion band, it’s safe to say the weekend’s festivities started off with a spicy bang. Bienvenidos a Miami, SoBe Wine and Food.
