The 14th Annual Slow Food Miami Snail of Approval Tasting

Photography by on April 3rd, 2025 in Lifestyle

Miami, FL – April 3, 2025 – Slow Food Miami hosted its highly anticipated Snail of Approval Tasting Party at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort. The event, dubbed Miami’s Freshest Night Out, brought together top chefs, local growers, and producers for a celebration of the city’s vibrant food scene. Proceeds from the evening benefited Slow Food Miami’s Edible School Garden Program.

Guests indulged in tastes from Miami’s farm-to-table best, with honorees including Niven Patel (Paya and Ghee Wynwood), Giorgio Rapicavoli (Mayfair Grill), Craig Giunta (Rosemary’s Miami), Pedro and Katherine Mederos (Kojin 2.0), and Carlo Raciti (Almotti Gluten Free Italian Delicacies). Chef Niven Patel was recognized with the “Restaurant Group Influencers” Award for his outstanding contributions.

Returning Snail of Approval Award winners like Erba, Adrift Mare, Gables Delight, and Exquisito Chocolates also joined the festivities, celebrating the city’s commitment to good, clean, and fair food.

Chef Craig Giunta & Alejandro Toro

Chef Alex Meyer & Andres Diaz

Cynthia Demos & Michelle Benesch

Cynthia Demos

Michelle Benesch

Michelle Benesch & Cynthia Demos

Michelle Benesch

Chef Craig Giunta & Michelle Benesch

Chef Almudena Gudiel & Michelle Benesch

Chef Alex Meyer & Michelle Benesch

Susan Auro & Michelle Benesch

Michelle Benesch & Kevin Rusk

Michelle Benesch & Allegra Angelo

Chef Nevin Patel & Michelle Benesch

Chef Juan Carlos Lavalle & Michelle Benesch

Lara Dennery & Michelle Benesch

Javier Pastrana & Michelle Benesch

Emil Hristov & Michelle Benesch

Chef Nevin Patel

Chefs Pedro & Katherine Mederos

Luis Cintron, Nick Bernal, & Michelle Benesch

Isabel Garcia Nevett, Michelle Benesch, & Susana Garcia

Pamela Wasabi, Michelle Benesch, & Laurie Landgrebe

Jennifer Rojas, Aguasanta Llovera, Chef Juan Carlos Lavalle, Cynthia Demos, Michelle Benesch

Mayela Romera & Rocio Conejos

Chef Hinson Lau, Chef Ryan Ramos, & Chef Eloy Casalez

Aguasanta Llovera, Chef Juan Carlos Lavalle, Jennifer Rojas

William Wenke, Chef Katherine Mederos, & Eric Wenke

Maddy Muldoon, Alejandro Villanueva, Nick Bernal, Phil Giordano, & Luis Cintron