Showing Miami some love, Michy's style

I would feel like a fool if I didn't drop by Michy's to try out Michelle Bernstein's concoction, a delish steak burger topped with crispy bacon, grilled onions, melting blue cheese and aged balsamic on a pretzel bun. Let's just say the Miami chef had me at "pretzel bun".

I hurried on over for a bite and asked her how she likes being a part of such an event. "It's an honor," she said with her signature wide and toothy, yet gleaming, grin.

After one bite, I was sold. Maybe it's time to pay her resto a visit. This lady knows how to cook up a mean burger, everyone. Surely she can whip up some other tasty treats. Miami represent!

Amstel Light eye candy

Or maybe it is all about the well-placed bottles once they get a new stash, eh? Thanks for the refill, friend. After the overload of promo models wearing sexy dresses and pushing their drink of choice, it's good to know that not only the guys get something to look at.

Cheers to the center Amstel Light bar...they might run out of beer, but not out of stylish eye candy. Just call me Mrs. Brightside.

--Aurora Rodriguez 

Out of beer?

All this burger munching had me thirsty, and that warm beer left on my cup wasn't gonna cut it. Ew. So, at around 8 p.m.-ish I headed over to the center Amstel Light bar for a refill. As I marveled at an awesome Amstel Light tower, I was told they had run out.

Say what? I shall wait patiently. And you'll know why next. It's not just all about the well-placed bottles that make a pretty display for easily amused people.

--Aurora Rodriguez 

A girl's gotta eat

Once off the stage, Rachael and her army of bodyguards headed on over to the first tent to their right, The Counter Custom Built Burgers from Los Angeles, California. Ray must've loved the burger - topped off with baby greens, gruyere and fried onion strings - because she kept complimenting the chef.

"Delicious!" she said, after munching and taking a shot of Gold Peak Tea, trying to ignore the swarm of photogs and fans around her.

After taking my shot for the blog-universe (don't want to seem too creepy), I decided to head on over to check out the veggie burger, straight from Napa, California's resto, Ubuntu.

Rachael Ray and the band

The band stopped short of playing comfort tunes (Sweet Home Alabama, anybody?) and crowded around our pint-sized hostess for a shot.

--Aurora Rodriguez 

Rachael Ray greets the Burger Bash crowd

All this burger munching had me wondering...hey, where is our hostess? After that yummy burger, I scoped the crowd and took my time to digest the scene. While the scent of burgers had me eager to try some more, the lengthy lines stopped my adventure for a bit. And, during that time I wondered how many people actually get to try all these burgers. After paying a pretty penny of over $100 bucks, I surely hoped they got their cash back by gorging on as much as they could. Yet, as I spotted lines and more lines, I could almost sense that people were getting a teeny bit frustrated. And, if not with the lines, just the lack of seating and "propping" space. I, for one, was lucky to snag a spot to munch and avoid any spilling of the goodies.

An ode to where I dropped my chip

It is solidly nestled inside this box. And, I don't regret a thing.

--Aurora Rodriguez 

Bobby's Burger Palace = AMAZING

I won't lie...this is where I dropped my chip. When I came into the Burger Bash, I was given an Amstel Light token to drop inside a box to represent my favorite burger. Bobby's Burger Palace's pick was simply divine. And why was it divine? Let me explain.

This burger reminded me of those type of meals which you have growing up. The type of burgers served at kiddie birthday parties where the goody bags are all you look forward to, and the food fills your belly with comfort. The simple mix of blue cheese dressing, crispy bacon strips and fresh potato chips had me doing what a friend suggested me not do...I ate the whole thing! Yes, it was a small burger, but it made me happy as I chowed it down and kicked it back with a swig of cold Amstel Light.

Guy Fieri loves to eat

Once inside with my plastic "tasting plate" on hand (complete with an awesome 'cold beer holder'), it was obvious that spotting the Food Network stars wouldn't be too tough. Though I was thrilled to munch on bites from local Miami favorites such as Michael's Genuine Food and Drink's juicy Vermont cheddar and house-smoked bacon delicacy at the party, a notably spiky-haired bleach blonde personality breezed by and smiled as he was trailed by a dozen of television cameras.

Yup, it was Guy Fieri. 

It's no surprise that Food Network star loves to dine on slow-cooked calorific goodies such as, oh I dunno, burgers? The host of "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" was quick to mingle with fans and stop by for some interviews as he checked out the scene and waited patiently for a bite. In the middle of the hustle and bustle, I was able to snap a quick picture and I asked him (ok, yelled at him) how he liked being in Miami during such an event as the Burger Bash.

Simmer down, Burger Bash crowd

Seems like I'm not the only one excited to get inside that tent and right into tasting-time. In the middle of the rush-rush a hectic Burger Bash-goer dropped the, shall we say, "line-creator", causing quite a stir. Let's just say it held up the "entry process" into the tent. Oopsie!

Needless to say, we were all able to get in shortly after. 

 

--Aurora Rodriguez