Scenes from Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival

    The 5th Annual Miami Lakes Food and Wine Festival drew 1,000 supporters to Optimist Park the night of Feb. 4. 

    Ticketholders enjoyed small bites from 26 restaurants and caterers and sampled wines from several vintners. 

    Participating restaurants included Frosty’s Nitrogen Yogurt & Ice Cream; Chela’s Cocteleria; The Bend Liquor Lounge; Korner 67; Sports Grill; Don Anecio Spanish foods; Cafe 4 You; Cruzeiro Brazilian Steakhouse and La Diosa Taqueria.

    Also, Sergio’s Cuban American Kitchen; Anacapri Pinecrest Restaurant and Market; Mayor’s Cafe Miami Lakes; Giardino Gourmet Salads; Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar; Chef Veronica; Misha’s Cupcakes; Gauchos Gourmet Market; Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza; La Strega Cucina Italiana & Steakhouse; Vicky Bakery; Chef Gio Enterprises; Creations in Bloom Edible Art; Cafe Mi Vitrola; Piel de Toro Tapas; Bolay Kitchen and DICED. 

    The wine vendors were Allocated Wine & Spirits; Babylonstoren Wines from South Africa; Casa Rovigatti; Codorniu; Corte alla Flora; Hurricane Beverage; Mexcor International; Nomad + Co.; Ojala Wine; Solera Wines and Spirits; Sur Valles Wine Group; The Wine Nation; Identity Wine Co.; Union Beverage and Zuozo Family Vineyards.

    Community partners and volunteers who contributed to the successful evening included Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce; Miami Lakes Optimist Club; Miami-Dade Fire Rescue; Miami-Dade Police, Miami Lakes District; Miami Janitorial Services; Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School; A/C Graphics Digital; Ray Garcia; Pilar Fernandez-Rives; Roxanne Vargas; J.C. Fernandez; Freebee; SFM Services; Brady Fire Equipment; Dipp Photo Booth; Edwin’s Camera and the Town of Miami Lakes.

    Also, Empire Event Rentals; Ferralls Photography; Global Insurance FLA; Law Office of Gloria Garcia; Sigma Protective Services; Street Wears & Tears; Ana Ballester and staff; Clear Channel Outdoor; Emergency Ice; Frank Beck; Gil Fonseca; Joel Rivera; Masters Investigation Security, Inc.; Michael Goldman; World Risk Management, Inc.; Electrical Contracting Service; Miami Lakes Hotel on Main; Nomad + Co.

     The band Ven Pa Gozar and DJ Manny B performed, prompting lots of guests to dance.

--Story and photos by Alexandra Herrera.