Official uVu Blog

Grand Village Tasting...emphasize on Tasting!

Bobby Flay took the stage at the Sunday Seminar of the Food Network Wine and Food Festival and sumed up the day in his opening statement : "Yes, I am drunk!"

The audience burst out laughing and applauded his honesty as most of the people in the crowd could relate to his state.

Dozens of booths, stands and sexy waitresses offered glasses of liquors, wine, and rum to anyone with an empty hand during the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village event on South Beach.

Two tents offered a seemingly never-ending array of wines and spirits from some of the world's finest producers. Culinary pleasures from restaurants, catering services and much more were paired with the drinks .

The Barbados Tourism booth offered a delicious coffee short ribs served on top a creamy cheese polenta, while Le President gave a taste of French brie on toast topped with apricot jam.

There were so many flavors combined and original appetizers displayed that many attendees could not find their left from their right, or maybe it was the effect of the numerous glasses of spirits.

The ambiance was similar to Disneyworld for grown ups: smiles, laughter,and  mesmerized gaze.  The calypso music emerging from the Cruzan rum stand made everyone dance to the rhythm. The culinary seminars attracted the crowd when celebrity chefs such as Bobby Flay or Anthony Bourdain took the stage.

 

 

What Does it Mean to Be Black?

The most discussed episode of Pulse so far.

We gathered a panel of women to discuss what it’s like to be black in South Florida and the U.S. today.  What defines a person—their cultural heritage or the color of their skin?

 

Pulse part 1

Pulse part 2

Champagne and delicious food at Bubble Q

  It is true when people say that when you love your job it does feel like a job!

This week has been a true proof of that saying! For the last two days I managed to film, interview, take pictures and tastes the food of some of the best Chef in America.

Driving around South Beach for 40 minutes to find parking did not even bother me as I knew the end result would be worth the trouble. A gigantic tent decorated with white drapes, withe roses tableclothes and white elegant chairs and couches was the sophisticated setting at the Perrier-Jouët BubbleQ presented by Allen Brothers hosted by Bobby Flay and Friends sponsored by Miami magazine. 

  Champagne poured like water at the party and had its effect on the crowd, which by the end of the night was danicng the night away with no worries in the world. Women wearing elegant dresses jumped up and down the sandy ground on hits such as "I got a feeling" from the Black Eye Peas, and men took the dance floor breaking down moves on 80s and 90s hit songs.

The lines to the food stands were not as long as for the Burger Bash. Maybe the entry price difference (Burger BAsh was $150, Bubble Q was $350) induced a natural selection. The sold out event brought a crowd of bold and beautiful people and celebrity chef.

Cat Cora, from Food network Iron Chef, served a delicious lamb meatball, seasoned to perfection. Host Bobby Flay's tacos were refreshing, but one of my favoite was Chef Allen's lamb chop.

The greatest moment of the night was when I met Aarti Sequeria, the season 6 winner of The Next Food Network Star. I simply loved her during the show, and seeing her warm personality on television every Sunday night made my weekend.

So of course, I had to introduce myself. I have to admit that I was more starstruck by Aarti than I was by Rihanna, Beyonce, Anthony Bourdain, Boby Flay and much more... Weird isn't it?

Let's go back to the food!!

Did I mention Godiva was one of the sponsor at Bubble Q? Trays of white, dark and milk chocolate were passed around the crowd. The combination with the Perrier Jouet made the flavor of the chocolate come out even more. 

An interesting twist to ice cream was also a highlight of the night. Three 2OH ice cream served Coconut Citrus ice cream with nutmeg and cinnamon sprinkles on top.

Bubble Q was a great event full of great food, abondous champagne and great entertainment. The students from FIU School of Hospitality were great and one even took the stage at the end of the night to showcase some of her dancing break dance moves.The crowd went wild encouraging her and joined her until the Dj announced it would be the final song of the night. The last sound of the night was the last bottle of Perrier Jouet popping!!!

Burger Bash Meets its Match?

uVu's Jessy at the Burger Bash 2011?  An incident waiting to happen. (See more pictures here)

To The Future of Education

Daniel Pink, New York Times Bestselling Author, spoke at the Community Learning Partnership’s Teacher Professional Development Conference held at Barry University on February 18, 2011.

As part of the Community Learning Partnership’s first Teacher Professional Development Conference: At the Heart of 21st Century Learning, Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind  and Drive, New York Times Best Sellers, spoke to local educators, students and community members.

In a conversation – The author answered questions submitted by the audience, moderated by Helen Aguirre Ferré, Barry alumna, opinion page editor of Diario Las Americas and host of the WPBT/Channel 2 public affairs show Issues.

 

Dan Pink Part 1

Dan Pink Part 2

Dan Pink Part 3

Dan Pink Part 4

VACC Camp 2011

Every spring, the Miami Children's Hospital holds a week-long camp for children in need of ventilator assistance.  Special this year is the fact that it is the 25th anniversary for Dr. Simpser and his dedicated team.  You can see many video segments from the last two years by visiting uVu but here is a chance to meet some of the young volunteers who come back year after year and hear why they "give up" their spring break each year to support the work of VACC Camp.

 

To Live Forever

Encompassing more than 100 objects drawn from the Brooklyn Museum’s world-renowned holdings of ancient Egyptian art, this exhibition explores the Egyptians’ beliefs about life, death, and the afterlife; the process of mummification; the conduct of a funeral; and the different types of tombs—answering questions at the core of the public’s fascination with ancient Egypt. Two of the primary cultural tenets, through thousands of years of ancient Egyptian civilization, were a belief in the afterlife and the view that death was an enemy that could be vanquished. To Live Forever features objects that illustrate a range of strategies the ancient Egyptians developed to defeat death, including mummification and various rituals performed in the tomb. The exhibition reveals what the Egyptians believed they would find in the next world and contrasts how the rich and the poor prepared for the hereafter.

Chief Curator, Roger Ward, takes us on a tour of the exhibition.

And Justice for All

Suprme Court Justice Stephen Breyer at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches luncheon on February 16, 2011 at the Palm Beach Convention Center

Forum Club - Justice Breyer (1/3)

 

Forum Club - Justice Breyer (2/3)

 

Forum Club - Justice Breyer (3/3)

 

Miami Today Profile - Perla Tabares Hantman

For the fourth time in her 14 years serving as a school board member, Perla Tabares Hantman has taken the role of chair for the School Board of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

 

 

The nine school board members agreed to have her once again lead the school system, which represents 340,000 students in the county.

A champion for education, Ms. Hantman has dedicated more than a decade to improving the quality of education and preparing students for a future beyond high school.

The school system has scored high in building up its contingency reserve, she said, which has grown from $4 million to $130 million in less than three years.

Also, more than half of Miami-Dade public schools got an A on the last FCAT, a standardized exam administered to all public school students in Florida, with only one getting an F.

A main focus this year is on once again balancing the budget with reduced funding, she noted, which the school board along with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho accomplished last year without layoffs.

“We are an example, and I'm saying it not only as a chair person but as a member of the community, we are an example of what government can do with less money and that's what we've done, focusing and not taking away anything,” she said.

Ms. Hantman discussed her priorities as chair with Miami Today reporter Yudislaidy Fernandez at the school system’s headquarters in downtown Miami.

Stately Homes of Hollywood (FLA)

As we head towards Fort Lauderdale's 100th birthday, there are other anniversaries to celebrate in Broward County.  The uVu team will be on board for the 10th Anniversary of the Hollywood Historical Society's Annual House Tour

This year's tour will feature seven fabulous properties in the Hollywood Historic Lakes Neighborhood, among them a 4,000 sq. ft. waterfront property and homes valued at as much as $2,000,000. Spanning the decades, houses from the 1920's, 1950's and an ultra-modern contemporary will be spotlighted including one of the most exclusive properties in Hollywood, FL (that is currently being considered as a location shot for a Charlie's Angels movie sequel - but you didn't hear that from us).  Beautiful architectural features and period cars.  Focus on style and design. Limited edition posters of historic homes will also be available.

Date:  Sunday, Feb. 27

Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm

Tickets may be purchased from The Hollywood Historical Society.  The Society's phone # is (954)920-1748.  But if you can't make the tour look for video on uVu.

All proceeds go to benefit the Hollywood Historical Society, a 501(c) 3 non-profit cultural organization. 

Free parking : Hollywood Women's Club at 501 N. 14th Ave. in Hollywood, where tour begins