Events
Award-Winning Chefs Highlight Caribbean Flavors at Food, Wine, and Fete

Vanessa James Media Celebrates the Return of Food, Wine, and Fete: Miami’s Premium All-Inclusive Soca Fete Experience Celebrating the Caribbean Diaspora.
May 18th, 2024
More than 800 foodie and Soca lovers attended the fete on May 18th, which featured the Caribbean’s most esteemed chefs, culinary creatives, and artists.
Vanessa James Media welcomed the successful return of Food, Wine, and Fete, Miami’s premium all-inclusive Soca experience. The event took place on Saturday, May 18th at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park’s Grand Pavilion. The eagerly awaited second annual event celebrated the diverse culture of the Caribbean, showcasing the region’s most brilliant chefs, mixologists, tastemakers, culinary creatives, buzz-worthy wine brands, rums of the Caribbean and spirits partners eager to connect with South Florida’s vibrant Caribbean community.
This year’s lineup included renowned chefs such as:
- Chef Irie, recipient of the prestigious James Beard award and the festival’s official culinary ambassador is a Jamaican culinary trailblazer, whose journey from architecture to the kitchen is as bold and flavorful as his Caribbean-inspired dishes.
- Myriam “Chef Mimi” Charles, the award-winning Haitian pastry chef known for her triumph on Cooking Channel’s “Cake Hunters” and as the founder of Lux Cakery.
- Chef Alain Lemaire, the host chef of the “Luda Can’t Cook” series on Discovery+, brought his Haitian culinary heritage to life with his renowned dish “Ou Manje Deja style,” showcasing his unique flair and flavor.
- Celebrity Chef Paul Griffith, an award-winning Barbadian-born culinary prodigy, is renowned for delighting A-List celebrities, top musicians, NFL stars, and professional athletes. Based in South Florida, Chef Paul travels globally, delivering exceptional dining experiences with his unparalleled flavors and signature artistry.
- Jamaican Chef Troy Tingling of SoulFly Chicken, served up his signature fried chicken sando sandwich and did a tasting on Foodie Avenue showcasing his recently opened SouFly Chicken restaurant in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood community. Chef Troy began mixing Caribbean flavors to create fusion recipes that he uses in his recipes today.
- Trinidadian culinary sensation Shaun Alexander of Foodie Nation wowed the crowd with a rendition of his viral cocoa-rubbed pork bao bun and pineapple and tamarind chutney sauce.
Chefs gave guests of the fete a taste of what they do in the kitchen and around the world with plays on their signature dishes. Chef Lemaire’s conch tacos, Chef Irie’s snapper escovitch with breadfruit salad, and Chef Paul’s Bajan-style macaroni pie with crisp pork belly were all received with heavy applause.
Alongside the chef demos, this year’s fete also showcased local caterers and small businesses on “Foodie Avenue”. These culinary creatives brought their flavor to the experience, showcasing a little bit of their island’s flair. Kimesha Chong of Kanin Catering, known for her Caribbean vegan dishes sampled her play on a jerk oxtail taco using breadfruit while UserXCatering wowed guests with a play on Trinidad’s official street food “doubles”. WIPS pepper sauce also joined in on the action making their signature “chows” in cucumber, mango, and pineapple flavors using their staple scotch bonnet-infused pepper sauce.
No Caribbean fete experience would be complete without the electrifying sounds of Soca music, the driving force and rhythm behind many fetes and all-inclusive experiences around the region. Food, Wine, and Fete delivered a jam-packed lineup of the most buzzed-about DJs and Soca Artistes, Teddyson John of St. Lucia and King Bubba of Barbados, who not only performed at this year’s experience but tried out their hands in the kitchen too! Vincentian soca singer, Kevin Lyttyle also joined in on the soca musical extravaganza.
DJ Ryan Sayeed, LL Cool Blaze, TeamSoca’s DJ Spice, Barrie Hype, and DJ Mark D turned up the heat, electrifying the crowd all evening. Tourism brands also got in on the action with spectacular getaways including The Buccaneer Hotel which surprised one lucky winner with a 4-day, 3-night stay to their spectacular property in the St. Croix, USVI along with a foodie tour 2. St. Lucia’s coveted Calabash Cove Resort and Spa also awarded one lucky patron with a lavish 5-day, 4-night stay.
Premiere Spirits sponsor Proximo Spirits rolled out a nine-round tasting and clear old-fashioned showcasing their Cristalino Collection of tequilas including their popular Dobel Maestro, 1800, and El Gran Centenario. Wine lovers were treated to an array of wines including La Fete Rose, The Pale Rose, Château La Mascaronne, and rum aficionados were treated to neat pours by Dominican brand Ron Barcelo along with tastings by Carib Brewery featuring Caribe hard cider, Shandy spritzers and their Caribbean staple, cold classic Carib beers. Guests were treated to a dazzling drone courtesy of Luna Lite Drone Show Company to close out a day of food, fun, and feteing.
“We are so deeply humbled and filled with gratitude by the outpouring of support we received for our second annual Food, Wine & Fete. Over 800 people joined us in celebrating the passion, world-renowned food, infectious energy, and unique culture that is the melting pot of the Caribbean” says event co-founder Vanessa James. “We created Food, Wine, and Fete with one goal in mind; to amplify and celebrate the array of creatives that we have had the pleasure of connecting and working with throughout the years who often get overlooked. Our goal is to continue to grow this unique festival year after year, and spark a new generation of cultural events and experiences that elevate Caribbean ingenuity and culture,” says James.
Participating sponsors for Food, Wine, and Fete 2024 included: Vanessa James Media, Proximo Spirits Cristalino Tequila collection, La Fete Rosé, The Buccaneer Hotel – St. Croix, Virgin Island Food Tours, The Calabash Cove Resort and Spa St. Lucia, Ron Barcelo, The Pale Rosé, Carib Beer, Caribe Hard Cider, WIPS (West Indian Pepper Sauce), Best Dressed Plate, LifeNetforFamilies, and Franki Fitz Consulting and LunaLiteDrone Show.
Food, Wine, and Fete offers a unique opportunity for brands to tap into an affluent, well-traveled, and highly motivated diverse community of South Florida’s Caribbean diaspora to showcase their offerings. Partnership and press opportunities allow brands to stand out amid a sea of motivated patrons eager to engage. For more information about future partnerships and sampling opportunities, visit www.foodwineandfete.com. Follow the Food, Wine, and Fete fun on Instagram and Facebook.
About Food Wine & Fete:
Founded by Vanessa James and Marcos Rodriguez, Food, Wine, and Fete is a premium all-inclusive Soca fete experience celebrating the Caribbean’s vibrant culture – our chefs, artists, and community. Conceptualized with a deep-seated passion for celebrating Caribbean roots and amplifying the creativity of the vibrant and talented diaspora. Born out of a love for travel, carnival, Soca music, and the delicious culinary scene of the Caribbean, Food, Wine, and Fete was born.
The first-of-its-kind all-inclusive Food, Wine, and Fete is an annual event that debuted in 2019 to a sold-out crowd of 500 foodies and Soca aficionados with a similar passion for celebrating Caribbean culture. In its second year, returning to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Food Wine & Fete will also highlight Caribbean brands, and feature curated pop-up experiences, giveaways, and a few fun surprises.
As proud children of the Caribbean, this legacy project is Vanessa and Marcos’ unique way of highlighting the diverse Caribbean diaspora and its many touch points including travel, music, food, and live culinary experiences. Although the Caribbean is known as the birthplace of rum, wine enthusiasts are now able to explore the many pairings of their delicious island food with their favorite wine too. For more information about partnership opportunities, vendor sampling opportunities, and press inquiries, visit www.foodwineandfete.com. Follow the Food, Wine, and Fete fun on Instagram and Facebook.
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Art Hearts Fashion Took the Lead at Swim Week

From bird queens to body glitter, Art Hearts Fashion lit up Eden Roc with unapologetic flair.
June 2nd, 2025
If the ballroom at Eden Roc Miami Beach could talk, it would still be catching its breath after a weekend of bold designs, wild performances, and unapologetically fabulous fashion. Art Hearts Fashion hosted two back-to-back nights of Swim Week magic that reminded everyone why Miami is that girl when it comes to turning a runway into a full-on experience.
From house music inspired graphics and metallic fringe to upcycled couture and belly dancing drama, here’s what went down and why it worked.
Friday: Neon, Nightlife, and Not-So-Innocent Swimwear
Friday’s vibe was “don’t call us subtle.” The ballroom pulsed like an underground club-meets-art gallery, and the fashion matched the mood.
- Pia Bolte kicked things off with chaos in the best way: think animal prints, bedazzled corsets, and a general sense that anything could (and maybe did) happen.
- CA RIO CA, Cirone SwimLingerie, and Coyote Jocks blurred swimwear and nightlife so thoroughly that no one was sure if they were headed to the beach or the DJ booth—and that was the point.
- Slay Swimwear and Papi Swim closed the night with all gas, no breaks. The prints were loud, the cuts were daring, and the confidence was contagious.
By the end of the night, the ballroom was less fashion show and more electric playground and, nobody wanted to leave.
- Papi Swim
- Pia Bolt
- Slay Swimwear
Saturday: Birds, Bells, and Beautiful Intentions
Saturday brought just as much energy, but with a little more soul. There was a clear shift toward statement-making fashion—with a few theatrical surprises thrown in for good measure.
- Love for Upcycling opened with a collection made entirely from repurposed materials. Between the animal-inspired silhouettes and a model literally carrying a live parrot, it was giving eco-warrior chic and the crowd was living.
- David Tupaz followed with floaty, toned down resort looks that whispered elegance..
- Caroline Derpienski turned the tempo right back up with a Snake Collection that sparkled, shimmied, and swayed. It was all hips, gold, and glitter. Basically, fashion you don’t just wear, you perform.
- Later acts from Joseph Auren, Henri Costa, BFyne, and Bad Pink brought metallics, fringe, futuristic cuts, and everything in between.
Each designer delivered something distinct, and yet the night felt beautifully cohesive. Everyone had a point of view, and nobody was playing it safe.
- Caroline Derpienski
- Love For Upcycling
- David Tupaz
Nestled right along the glittering coastline, the Eden Roc Miami Beach proved to be more than just a backdrop. It was a co-star. With its mix of vintage Miami glamour and modern luxury, the hotel set the perfect tone for a weekend that celebrated both bold innovation and timeless flair. Walking into the ballroom felt like stepping into a curated dreamscape: sleek lighting, high-gloss floors, and enough air-kissed hellos to fill a red carpet.
The space struck a rare balance, intimate enough to feel exclusive yet grand enough to hold the weight of real fashion moments. The ocean breeze just outside the lobby, the iconic palm-lined drive, and the buzz of camera crews and couture-wrapped guests moving between hotel suites and the show floor gave everything the feel of an extended editorial shoot. It wasn’t just where the shows happened. It was where the weekend happened.
During intermissions, guests floated through the venue, cocktails in hand, mingling beneath chandeliers and recapping standout looks like seasoned fashion editors. With mezcal in one corner and mojitos in another, the space felt alive with conversation and camera flashes. There was a sparkle in the air, a vibe that made it feel like you weren’t just attending Swim Week. You were part of something cinematic.
Let’s be real. Swim Week at Eden Roc was a full-on vibe. It wasn’t just a series of fashion shows. It was a living mood board, a love letter to individuality, and a dance party dressed in metallic fringe. From the moment the first heel hit the runway to the final twirl on Saturday night, the energy was electric. You didn’t just watch the shows. You felt them.
Each designer brought their own version of bold, from recycled fabrics and resort-wear minimalism to glitter-drenched snake goddesses and futuristic jockstraps. It was a reminder that swimwear can be art, identity, celebration, and rebellion all at once. The crowd reflected that too, creative, expressive, and fully dressed for the moment.
While the runway looks took center stage, the heart behind Art Hearts Fashion quietly grounded the entire experience. The platform isn’t just about putting beautiful people in beautiful clothing. It’s about using the power of fashion to drive change, lift voices, and give back. With partnerships like Make-A-Wish®, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and Project Cancerland, Art Hearts proves that fashion can and should do more than just look good.
What makes it all feel different is the sincerity. There’s no preachy undertone, no performance for clout, just an honest integration of purpose and creativity. From inclusive casting and emerging voices to boundary-pushing collections like Love for Upcycling, the message was clear. Impact isn’t the accessory. It’s the outfit.
If this weekend had a dress code, it would be “Come exactly as you are, but make it fabulous.” And that ethos carried into every detail, the drinks, the dancing, the applause, the backstage selfies, the whispered “who’s that designer?” conversations.
Swim Week wasn’t just fun. It was freeing.
Events
Miami Swim Week’s Kick-Off

ELLE Swimwear Opened Miami Swim Week with Poolside Glam and Sunset Soundtracks.
May 28th, 2025
Leave it to ELLE Swimwear and Miami Swim Week® The Shows to throw the kind of party that sets the tone for the entire season: chic, sun-soaked and just the right amount of extra. On Tuesday night, the who’s who of fashionistas, influencers and perfectly tanned creatives gathered to celebrate the official kickoff of Miami Swim Week 2025, and let’s just say, the bar has been set high.
Tucked away on the ultra-exclusive Venetian Islands, the private waterfront villa felt more like a fashion fantasy than a party venue. Imagine stepping into a space where every palm is lit just right, the pool reflects the skyline like a high-gloss editorial, and the whole place hums with that “something fabulous is about to happen” feeling. It wasn’t just a backdrop, it was the mood.
And speaking of moods, let’s talk sushi. Sushi by Yasu was the evening’s culinary crown jewel. Each roll was a tiny masterpiece: fresh and delicate. Light enough to keep guests grazing, but satisfying enough to feel like a moment, the bites kept flowing all night, paired perfectly with champagne and curated cocktails.
The soundtrack of the night? DJ Brooke Brazelton spun a set that floated perfectly between rooftop lounge and full-body groove. Think vibey house, remixed classics, and the kind of bassline that makes strangers become dance partners. It wasn’t just background music—it moved the night along like a perfectly timed runway show. The crowd swayed, sipped and sparkled, and by midnight, the villa felt like the heartbeat of Swim Week itself.
As for the crowd, it was Miami at its best. A stunning blend of models, stylists, editors and locals who looked like they walked straight off a set. There were breezy linens, sheer mesh, bold swimwear, and sunglasses that stayed on long after the sun went down. The fashion was fearless, the conversation flowed, and every corner of the villa buzzed with excitement and ambition.
Somewhere between the third glass of prosecco and the fifth compliment on someone’s outfit, it became clear, Miami Swim Week 2025 wasn’t just starting. It had arrived. And if this kick-off party was just the beginning, we’re all in for a summer of serious style.
Bookmark it now: this is the summer where swimwear slays, the music flows, and the vibes are always turned way up. See you at the next villa.
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