More Miami culinary superlatives: The 2nd Annual ZEST™ Awards

by Lesley Abravanel4/1/2013

It's time for more awards, this time it's the second annual ZEST™ Awards, a collaboration between Johnson & Wales University's North Miami campus and MIAMI Magazine. Winners, selected by a "panel of industry experts," will be announced Wednesday, April 24 during a private reception at the school. Non-experts but those who spend lots of money or toil in the food community are encouraged to vote for their favorite restaurant and bar/lounge in two readers’ choice categories. Votes will be accepted today through April12 at www.modernluxury.com/ZESTAwards. The community is also encouraged to mention their favorites on Twitter using hashtag #JWUZEST and the @JWUNorthMiami Twitter handle. “All of the 2013 nominees have played a significant role in transforming South Florida into a culinary destination,” said Loreen Chant, president of Johnson & Wales University’s North Miami Campus. “The ZEST™ Awards are a way for our College of Culinary Arts to recognize and honor the contributions they have made to the area’s unique culture and thriving hospitality industry.” And the categories and nominess are:

Culinary Innovator: This award honors the local chefs and culinary heroes who have created innovative menu items and restaurant concepts using the latest in technology and techniques

Giorgio Rapicavoli, Eating House

Kris Wessel, Florida Cookery

Kevin Cory, NAOE Miami

Andreas Schreiner, Jose Mendin & Sergio Navarro, Pubbelly Group

Timon Balloo, Sugarcane

Mathias Gervais, The Setai Miami Beach

Newcomer of the Year: This award honors a local chef who was either new to South Florida or merely created a new restaurant concept and quickly garnered a loyal foodie following.

Hung Huynh, Catch Miami

Piyarat Potha Arreeratn (Chef Bee), Khong River House

Dena Marino, MC Kitchen

John and Michael Sullivan, Over the Counter (OTC)

Mathias Gervais, The Setai Miami Beach

Baking & Pastry Innovator: This award is given to a local baking & pastry chef who has shown exemplary creativity and excellence through innovative menu items and restaurant concepts using the latest in technology and techniques.

Mariana Cortez, Bunnie Cakes

Yannis Janssens, Lee & Marie's Cakery Company

Hedy Goldsmith, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and ACME Bakery & Coffee

Antonio Bachour, St. Regis Bal Harbor

Sylvain Marrari, The Setai Miami Beach

Community Leader: This award is given to a community member who has shown dedication to culinary/food education.

Allen Susser, Chef Allen's Consulting (Share Our Strength)

Lee Brian Schrager, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Renée Frigo Graeff, Slow Food Miami

Linda Lecht, The Education Fund (Plant A Thousand Gardens Collaborative Nutrition Initiative)

MIAMI Magazine Readers’ Choice Award Best Restaurant 2013: This award is given to a local restaurant that stood out above the rest in 2013 both for its delicious food and talented culinary team. Readers may vote for one of the following nominees (or “write in” a new nominee) between April 1 – 12 at www.modernluxury.com/ZESTAwards.

Azul at Mandarin Oriental Miami

Chef Adrianne’s Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

Florida Cookery

Khong River House

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

Michy’s

NAOE Miami

Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

Zuma

MIAMI Magazine Readers’ Choice Award Best Bar/Lounge: This award is given to a local bar/lounge that who has shown excellence in finding the best wines or creating the best cocktails. Readers may vote for one of the following nominees (or “write in” a new nominee) between April 1 – 12 at www.modernluxury.com/ZESTAwards.

Bar Centro at SLS

Blackbird Ordinary

Broken Shaker at Freehand Miami

HaVen South Beach

Regent Cocktail Club at Gale South Beach

SOUTHSTREET

The Forge Restaurant & Winebar