Top Chefs Battled it Out at the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by National Pork Board

This is part of a sponsored campaign with the National Pork Board “Sabios del Sabor”. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by the National Pork Board  #SabiosDelSabor #ad #SOBEWFF
Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by the National Pork Board

This weekend I was in Miami where I attended the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by the National Pork Board and part of the SOBE Food and Wine festivities. This exclusive event took place at the emblematic Biltmore Hotel built in 1924-1925 by developer George Merrick. The Biltmore looks like a palace yet it’s architecture is Merrick’s vision of Coral Gables as an elegant, stately suburb, which he called “The City Beautiful.

Biltmore Hotel built in 1924-1925 by developer George Merrick
Biltmore Hotel built in 1924-1925 by developer George Merrick

The hotel is beautifully decorated has hand painted frescos on barrel vaulted ceilings, brilliant travertine floors, fine marble columns, intricate leaded glass fixtures, carved mahogany furnishings and lavish gardens.

Aspects of the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by National Pork Board #SabiosDelSabor #ad #SOBEWFF
Aspects of the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by National Pork Board

This fabulous hotel was the venue where the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by the National Pork Board was held and where Top Chefs battled it out for the Best Pork Centric Tapas dish.

Delicious Food and Drinks at the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by the National Pork Board #SabiosDelSabor #ad #SOBEWFF
Delicious Food and Drinks at the Goya Foods Swine and Wine presented by the National Pork Board

The array of options was espectacular and all paired with wonderful wines, whiskey and bubbly to make the perfect combination.Marc Forgionne – one of the Iron Chefs competing on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” and owner of restaurant Marc Forgione in New York City was participating in the event.

Adriana Martin and Celebrity Chef Marc Forgione
Adriana Martin and Celebrity Chef Marc Forgione

This was indeed a treat for me as I have been following his career for the longest time and I am one of his biggest fans. I had the chance to meet him in person and he was a delight. Down to earth very nice and approachable. Not to mention his dish called “Bang, Bang”.

Chef Marc Forgione's Dish at the Swine and Wine presented by National Pork Board  #SabiosDelSabor #ad #SOBEWFF
Chef Marc Forgione’s Dish at the Swine and Wine presented by National Pork Board

This was a pork cake served over a bed of pickled cabbage and crowned with an egg yolk cooked to perfection and finished with a spicy sauce. This for me was the winner of the evening, perfect balance between the heavenly pork cake, the melting egg yolk and the spike of the spice and acidity of the pickled cabbage.

Whiskey tangerine and five spice pig #SabiosDelSabor #ad #SOBEWFF
Whiskey tangerine and five spice pig

In the pork showcase outdoors, many local chefs were slow roasting whole pigs, served directly from la “Caja China” to each guest’s plate. My favorite was this whiskey, tangerine and five spice pig called “WTF Pig”. The crispy skin in combination with the juicy meat was a hit!

Adriana Martin enjoying some Guarapo with Zafra Rum
Adriana Martin enjoying some Guarapo with Zafra Rum

And to pair this bite I tried the Zafra cane cocktail with fresh cane juice called “guarapo”. This was sweet yet very refreshing and fresh. This cocktail is one of those you must try and keep on your list of favorite drinks when in Miami.

Adriana Martin and Chef Mendin #SabiosDelSabor #ad
Adriana Martin and Chef Mendin, James Beard Award Nominee

The National Pork Board hosted an entertainment and social media lounge at the Swine and Dine event, it was very nicely decorated with comfortable seating. There I had the chance to meet Chef José Mendín, James Beard Award Nominee. He was very kind in giving me few minutes to converse and he invited me to visit him soon at Pubbelly in Miami a restaurant where he prepares wonderful caribbean bites including of course pork.

Chef Najat Kaanache from Piripi Miami  Photo Credit Piripi Miami
Chef Najat Kaanache from Piripi Miami. Photo Credit Piripi Miami.

But now you might be wondering who was the winner of the best tapa, well Chef Najat Kaanache from Piripi Miami won the first place at the National Pork Board Critics’ Choice Award with the dish called “Gilligan’s Swineland”

National Pork Board Ambassadors Chef Doreen Colondres of La Cocina No Muerde and Chef Jose Mendin of Pubbelly among stellar judging panel #SabiosDelSabor #ad
National Pork Board Ambassadors Chef Doreen Colondres of La Cocina No Muerde and Chef Jose Mendin of Pubbelly among stellar judging panel

I can’t wait for  next year’s SOBE Food and Wine already scheduled for February 25-28, 2016!

For pork information and inspiration, including mouthwatering recipes, nutritional content of pork, choice cuts, health and safety information and cooking tips, visit: PorkTeInspira.com

Chef Adriana Martin
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