411: Sharing Strength
Haiti Means Business
On June 25, the President of the Republic of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly attended a private reception at the exclusive Soho Beach House hosted by Michael Capponi and General Consulate of Haiti in Miami, Ralph Latortue to unveil the “Haiti Means Business” campaign. The handsome and charismatic Martelly, a former pop star and club promoter, made a grand entrance into the party in a procession led by the banging of a giant drum accompanied by live Haitian music, surrounded by close friends and family. President Martelly then stood on the edge of Soho Beach House’s private 8th floor pool, to proclaim his vision for the future of Haiti, in a speech which echoed his inauguration speech this May. “This is a new Haiti, open for business now,” he told the cheering crowd of 300 at the party. Martelly’s plan focuses on the urgent need for action, recovery, and renewal to improve the living conditions, well-being and prospects of the Haitian people, with new impetus given to job-creating sectors.
Local nightlife impresario and entrepreneur, Michael Capponi, who has visited Haiti more than 30 times since the devastating earthquake last year, supports the President’s mission in seeking to transform the world’s image of Haiti from that of an impoverished disaster area to that of a world-class Caribbean tourist destination, with a stable government and secure foreign investment opportunities.
Capponi’s first 20 visits to the island nation were strictly humanitarian in nature- but since then, he has taken an active role in the revitalization, restoration and rebuilding of Historic Jacmel, one of the oldest cities in Haiti, which he describes as one of the last unspoiled, authentic Caribbean gems, similar to the beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, where he has been surfing since he was 15. Capponi has spearheaded the revitalization efforts in Jacmel in order to help create thousands of jobs, empowering the Haitian people to stand on their own.
“Jacmel is one of the last remnants of a real African civilization. We seek to preserve and showcase the culture to the rest of the world, without disturbing that which makes it unique.” Designer, Donna Karan is also on-board with the revitalization efforts, and has been working hand-in-hand with President Martelly, Capponi, the Khawly family, David Belle, actress Maria Bello and various business leaders throughout the world in this gradual shift from charity to empowerment, where Haiti’s new stable government supports foreign investments.
The crowd at the party was abuzz with ideas following Martelly’s address, enjoying the Soho Beach House’s signature paella, live Haitian band and a slide show of the beautiful landscapes of Jacmel. The event was sponsored by the Haiti Invest Team and Soho Beach House. For more information, visit www.discoveringhaiti.com.
Taste of the Nation
The Fairmont Turnberry Isle resort was filled with the aromas and sounds of searing, sizzling, sautéing and grilling last Thursday as 40 of the hottest chefs from top Miami restaurants showcased popular menu samplings for the 24th annual Taste of the Nation, South Florida’s premier culinary benefit Share Our Strength, which seeks to end childhood hunger.
Over 500 supporters crowded the resort, breaking promises to personal trainers, cardiologists, nutritionists and then some, to delight in dishes such as steak and truffle mash from Gotham Steak, pork belly topped with chicharrón (hmmmm, a chicharron WITH a chicharron) from Bourbon Steak, Trio on the Bay’s delicious shrimp cake, shrimp & grits from The Forge, lobster tacos from Joe’s Stone Crab, pate from DB Bistro, Carpaccio from Steak 954, and a memorable popcorn milkshake by the Tudor House at the Dream Hotel (which will have its grand opening this Saturday).
The special evening – themed “Don’t Ignore the Signs” after Share Our Strength’s national campaign – was emceed by Celebrity Chef Ralph Pagano, and Emmy Award-winning TV anchors Laurie Jennings and Calvin Hughes of WPLG Miami, who alongside longtime event chair Allen Susser of Burger Bar by Chef Allen, and Andre Bienvenu of Joe’s Stone Crab, donated their time with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger.
In a heated Creekstone Farms-presented cooking competition, Chef Philip Brock of Cascata Grille at Fairmont Turnberry Isle won the faceoff against Paula DaSilva of 1500° with a rolled herbed and soy flank steak served over tomato and roasted corn. The event raised an unprecedented $80,000 for Share our Strength.
Celebrity Sightings:
The 15th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors awards ceremony at the Fillmore Miami Beach was a big celebrity draw over the weekend. NFL star and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Terrell Owens laughed it up with actor and ABFF Honors Awards Host Anthony Anderson in the VIP Grey Goose lounge before the ceremony began. Also spotted in the Grey Goose lounge were Regina King (the evening’s other ABFF Honors Award host) and actress, Naturi Naughton, who received the 2011 Grey Goose Rising Icons Award. Damon and Marlon Wayans, arrived together to support brother Keenan Ivory Wayans, who received the night’s Entertainment Icon Award for his success in the entertainment industry. Eric Benet stopped for interviews on the red carpet and Don King brought with him the usual fanfare.
On Friday night at The Forge, the recently named Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis – dined with owner Shareef Malnik and his girlfriend/actress Gabrielle Anwar, as well as Chicago Bulls player Carlos Boozer who enjoyed a bone-in filet main course and company with a Dolphins Cheerleader calendar cover girl for dessert (insert meat joke here).
This weekend Acqualina Spa by ESPA hosted NCIS star Cote de Pablo, Lynn Collins of X Men Wolverine and Steve Strait who is currently shooting the Starz show, Magic City.
On Sunday night, Lenny Kravitz dined with 13 friends at Zuma Miami.
