Miami Dinner Series Showcases Latin American Food with South American Wines

Miami is called the Magic City for a reason, and not just because of the dazzling nightlife and endless beach days. This tropical South Florida city is also becoming the hot spot for discerning wine and dining enthusiasts seeking enchanting epicurean experiences.

This May, Miami’s iconic waterfront restaurant and Star Wine List recommended destination, Amara at Paraiso by James Beard-award winning Chef Michael Schwartz, presents the first dinner of this year’s Amara & Friends series. Once a month, a new local chef will be featured, and guests can enjoy flavors from Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico along with wine from South America and Caribbean spirits.

Chef Michael and his co-host, community leader Marvin Tapia, have announced an all-star lineup of culinary masters for the upcoming season. The first dinner of the series on Tuesday, May 28th at 6:30pm will celebrate Cuban cuisine by Chef Michael Beltran, Executive Chef and Owner of Michelin-starred Ariete and Ariete Hospitality Group .

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" These events are really one of the highlights of the year for me. I’m pumped up for the lineup of chefs and countries of food that will be represented ,” says Chef Michael Schwartz. “ We look forward to showcasing Miami’s cultural diversity through food and spirits. It will definitely be fun and fulfilling [and tasty] .”

In addition to the fabulous dishes featuring the gastronomic heritage of each chef, guests can look forward to enjoying wines from South America in partnership with Brazos Wine , as well as a toast to the evening with Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

Beverage Director for The Genuine Hospitality Group, Amanda Fraga, assures that “ wines for the event will be free flowing. We would encourage guests to start with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label to get their palate ready for dinner. At dinner we like to keep pouring wine, without pretension. At Amara, we love working with Brazos because of their unique and diverse wines from South America .”

Amara's wine list runs deep with South American selections, currently at over 100.

The following dinners will continue the series, which runs from May to September:

· Tuesday, June 11th – Peru

o Executive Chef of La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Diego Oka, *This experience will be themed as a Brugal Maestro Dinner featuring curated rum pairings by Brugal Brand Ambassador, Author & FIU Hospitality Professor, Gabe Urrutia. Spirit lovers and curious palates can sip through 135 years of rum mastery.

· Wednesday, July 24th – Colombia

o Executive Chef/Owner of Zitz Sum, Pablo Zitzmann

· Tuesday, August 27th – Puerto Rico

o Five-time James Beard semifinalist and Co-Founder of Pubbelly Sushi, Casa Isola, Hitchihaika and June Burgers, Jose Mendin

· Thursday, September 26th – Mexico

o Executive Chef/Owner of Tacotomia and World Central Kitchen Disaster Relief Head Chef, Karla Hoyos

Amara & Friends will be priced at $175 per person. A percentage of proceeds from each dinner will go towards the Miami-based non-profit organization, Viernes Culturales which prides itself on preserving the history and culture of Little Havana.

Seating is limited for this intimate celebration and reservations can be made on Open Table . Amara at Paraiso is located at 3101 NE 7th Ave, Miami, FL 33137. For more information including menus, please visit amaraatparaiso.com .