By Nanette Wiser
CULINARY VACAY
The Second Annual Family Reunion Aug 18-21 with FOOD & WINE at Forbes five-star Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA, presented by chef/author Kwame Onwuachi, is a foodie’s dream. The mission of The Family Reunion is to nurture, develop and celebrate racial and ethnic diversity within the next generation of hospitality professionals. The three-night, four-day event features culinary presentations, exclusive dinners, and thought-provoking discussions with talented chefs, sommeliers and leaders including Carla Hall, Rodney Scott, Nina Compton, Gregory Gourdet, Mashama Bailey, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Pierre Thiam and other surprise guests.
Kwame Onwuachi is a James Beard Award-winning chef, and author of the critically acclaimed memoir “Notes from a Young Black Chef,” which is being turned into a feature film by A24. He has been named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs, Esquire Magazine’s 2019 Chef of the Year, and is a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes.
Located on 340 picturesque acres in the storied village of Middleburg – the heart of Virginia’s famed horse and wine country – Salamander Resort & Spa is only 35 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport. Designed to blend into the surrounding rolling countryside, it offers a series of immersive experiences unique to the area, including Harrimans Virginia Piedmont Grill, a Cooking Studio and Culinary Garden, a tree-top zip line tour, world-class spa, luxury amenities and a 22-stall equestrian center with riding arena. www.salamanderresort.com
ARTISTIC DESTINATION
The Gabriel Miami features provocative and eccentric photography by Alberto Van Stokkum throughout the hotel’s public spaces, adding an artistic touch to the property’s design features. Known for his work in Vogue, Van Stokkum’s pieces are often described as wild and experimental. Alberto captures the fun, cheeky side of his models, possessing a gift for releasing the inhibitions of his subject. In addition to the photography displayed throughout the hotel, The Gabriel Miami has partnered with Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) to showcase its collection of artists and exhibitions. This creates an opportunity for hotel guests to gaze at the artwork in the lobby screen through a series of videos on display – just across the street from the museum itself.
SARASOTA HOPS
The Sarasota area boasts brew-tastic craft tasting spots. Check out Lakewood Ranch’s Good Liquid Brewing Company which won Gold during the annual Best Florida Beer Competition with Peachy O’Rings Smoothie Style Sour. We also like Craft Growlers To Go & Tasting Room and Scullers Draft House. Calusa Brewing is a deep-sea-themed veteran-owned brewery with an epic logo featuring the mystical Kraken (octopus) creature producing amazing unfiltered, hops-forward beers and mixed-fermentation – including locally-acclaimed cans and kegs of Zote, The Rip, and Citronius IPAs, as well as oak-aged wild ales. The quirky circus-themed Big Top Brewing Company’s seasonal beers (Ringmaster Raspberry Berliner Weiss) and my fave, Circus City IPA, are Florida-flavored winners. Also, check out 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottleshop, Origin Craft Beer & Pizza Cafe, Cock & Bull Farmhouse Pub, Mandeville Beer Garden, Shakespeare’s Craft Beer & Pub, Brewster’s, and Pizza N’ Brew. In Venice, visit Off The Wagon Brewery & Kitchen, Linkster’s Tap Room, Venice Ale House, and Off-Trail Bike & Brew, which takes you on a fun bicycle ride and tour around the island of Venice, followed by socializing and sipping some fine Florida suds.