Festival Expands Minds and Taste Buds:
Over 130 Exhibitors Participating in 3rd Annual Seed, Food and Wine (Published on miamiartzine.com)
One might say that food is the ultimate form of art. Everyone knows Miami has become a mecca for the arts in the last five years. Now, what many don’t know is that the Magic City is also becoming an oasis town for foodies from all over the world.
Recently, groundbreaking culinary arts functions are happening at the hippest spots all over town. One such event is the Seed, Food, & Wine Festival, presented by Whole Foods Market.
Back for the third year, the festival has expanded not only its location from Wynwood to Miami Beach, but also its duration and lineup of events. This year the festival runs from Wednesday, Nov. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 6, and it includes a Kick Off Party at The Freehand, Seed Summit at Nobu Hotel, Veggie Burger Battle at Eden Roc, Food Forward at 1 Hotel South Beach, Best of the East Dinner at The Sacred Space, Best of the West Dinner at The Palms Hotel and Spa, Seed 5 Run + Yoga + Meditation at Mana, Tasting Village at Mana, Farm to Table Dinner at Surfcomber, Mantra Yoga + Meditation + Brunch at The Sacred Space and Sprouts Kids Day at Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. There is something for just about everyone.
Coincidentally, Miami is also being threatened by climate change, and now that the relationship between diet and the environment is being brought to light, it’s imperative that everyone becomes conscious and evolves. According to the United Nations, “Cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases, as measured in CO2 equivalent, than transportation.” The future is plant-based and the Seed team is paving the way for progress. They explain: “Seed Food and Wine is not just a festival, we are a movement; a community of ideas and passionate people committed to elevating the conversation around plant-based foods, sustainability, conscious living and the welfare of animals.”
I urge everyone to attend one or more of the events. I had the great luck to attend the last two years, and it was a life-changing experience. There were cooking demonstrations, cocktail and wine stations, and tasting booths from some of the best plant-based restaurants, bakeries and juice cafes in South Florida. The vibe was cool, too because most people were supporting a healthy lifestyle, which includes creating a sustainable future through animal-friendly nourishment. I learned plant-based could be delicious in a way animal-based foods aren’t: cleaner, lighter, healthier, more vibrant, more creative and richer. I felt proud that Miami, my home city, was hosting such a food-forward festivity. I also got to see Alicia “Clueless” Silverstone, who was one of my favorite actresses when I was a kid. Now she’s author of “The Kind Diet.”
This year some highlights include Pamela Wasabi, a local vegan chef, who helps people heal their body and soul by eating a in a harmonious way that’s in accordance with nature; John Salley, four-time NBA Champion, plant based advocate and owner of the Vegan Vine; Dr. Joel Kahn, a plant-based cardiologist known as “America’s Healthy Heart Doc;” The Sporks Sisters, the Ambassador Chefs for the vegan Follow Your Heart brand and authors of “Spork Fed”; Jackie Sobon, who runs Vegan Yack Attack, a food blog; Jimmy Lebron, Head Chef at 27 Restaurant; Mary Matter, blogger at www.nomyourself.com, Dominick Thompson, a leader in the vegan community and founder of Crazies and Weirdos®, a successful New York based start-up company that produces hip, sustainable, eco-friendly clothing dedicated to the animal rights movement; and Dawn B, popular local yoga instructor.
Miami Chronicles 