|
Welcome to the South Florida Chapter!.
AIWF South Florida Chapter
About AIWF
The South Florida Chapter is one of many across the United States. It began its existence in 1992 with a small group of culinary enthusiasts. Carole Kotkin was prompted by Julia Child to initiate this effort, so along with Marsha Talianoff, Norman Van Aken, Allen Susser, Robbin Haas, and Brian Van Bower our chapter was launched. Seventeen years later we are well over 250 strong and have many wonderful events to our credit.
We are thrilled to welcome back to the Miami culinary scene one of our AIWF founding members, Chef Norman Van Aken. Norman's 180 in the Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon, Coral Gables, lives up to everything we love about Norman.The bar with its creamy marble counter conjures up memories of Paris bistros. The eclectic menu offers everything from a lucious, juice dripping, ropa vieja burger to a sinfully creamy fettucine, duck meatballs on sweet potato mash and fried chicken smashed potatoes, collard greens with authentic turkey gravy. These were just a few of my favorite dishes at the tasting/preview. Norman, Janet and Justin look great and happy to be back in this sexy and beautiful setting.
***************************************
Our signature event, Bali Ha'i at the Kampong celebrated its sixteenth year on April 11th, 2010. Starting In 2008 we were pleased to have the sponsorship of Whole Foods Market both for Days of Taste and Bali Ha'i. In September of 2009 we re-launched Sandbake at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Beach Club on the 6th. And a brand new food and wine event was born on November 7th - Food & Wine at the Flamingo Gardens, where our student BBQ competition took place.
*******************************************
Along with our sister chapters and the national organization, we promote an exchange of ideas that benefit both professionals and dedicated enthusiasts through publications and programs.
As you know, the AIWF’s mission is not only to raise money for food and wine scholarships for our local culinary schools, but to create a positive impact in our community via educational initiatives geared toward making our next generation one that is happy, healthy and well-nourished. As you probably know, we already have our Days of Taste program nationally with fourth and fifth grade students and are expanding this progeram in 2009-2010 with Whole Foods Market.. We conducted our one day version of Days of Taste starting in November of 2009 and ending in May of 2010 with 9 school.
Membership is open to all. It is a wonderful way to meet knowledgeable people in the industry and simply a great way to meet others with common interests. We encourage you to attend one or two of our events as a guest. We just hosted our national conference on South Beach with some wonderful culinary evenings. Please see the national organization's web page for more details on the AIWF's mission, national events, and links to our sister chapters. We are proud to announce that Whole Foods Market is our presenting sponsor. www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THIS PAGE - WE WILL BE ADDING
A NEW FEATURE - KNOW OUR MEMBERS!
If you know of a prominent member of our association that you would liked to be featured in this segment, please let us know by e-mailing our administrator, Phyllis, at assnmgmt@bellsouth.net.
Coming up - Roxana Garciga of RNDC
Roxana Garciga joined the United States Army after high school and earned her nursing certificate at WilliamBeaumontArmyMedicalCenter in El Paso, Texas. When she returned home to Miami she continued her studies and graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelors Degree in Biology. After working in the nursing field for 8 years and unhappy with her line of work at the time she made a career change.
In her first position in the hospitality industry she worked at the famed YUCA Restaurant on Lincoln Road in South Beach as the events manager. It was there that she caught the bug…. the restaurant bug…..
Her next position was with James Beard Award winning Chef Norman Van Aken, at his flagship restaurant NORMAN’S in Coral Gables, as his Special Events Coordinator. Working with the Chef and his exacting team was just the inspiration she needed to spark her love for food and wine. Here she honed her skills as an event planner and marketing specialist. Working in an environment where she was exposed to the highest level of quality food and beverage service- she learned about the inner workings of a fine dining establishment. Roxana worked with Chef Norman and his team for 5 years.
In November of 2005 she was hired at Republic National Distributing Co. as the Public Relations and Special Events Specialist for So. Florida. In this new role she is responsible for events such as Taste of Key West, Boca Bacchanal and CityPlace Uncorked in West Palm Beach and many others. Aside from event management she also handles the public relations efforts for RNDC’s brands in this market- organizing press events and successful product launches in the So. Florida area. Her responsibilities also include planning in-house meetings for RNDC. The So. Florida RNDC portfolio of brands includes Silver Oak, Hollywood and Vine 2480, PlumpJack and CADE, Swanson Vineyards, Truchard Vineyards, Spring Mountain Vineyards, Russian Standard Vodka as well as the vast Kobrand and Remy Cointeau product lines… and many other great brands.
Roxana is on the Board of the United States Sommelier Association, she is member of the AIWF and was an active member of the Junior League of Miami from 2004 to 2009. She also sits on the Disability Advisory Board for Miami Springs since 2004. She has actively participated in Bali Ha'i at the Kampong for several years and has always responded positively to our many requests.
| 
