Events

Tasting Hope, One Plate at a Time

Published

7 months ago

July 30, 2025

Sebastian James

Experience a Night of Exceptional Cuisine and Community Support at Arc Culinary’s Exclusive Dinners.

July 26th, 2025

There’s something truly beautiful about people coming together for a cause greater than themselves; to give back to the community and cultivate a culture that provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other life challenges to achieve their full potential. Arc Culinary, and the team behind it, is a shining example of that mission. Run by Director of Culinary Enterprise Craig Zeleznik, Arc Culinary hosts Chef Experience Dinners to raise awareness, improve lives, and reshape how people with disabilities are perceived.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending one of these events. I not only enjoyed a masterclass dinner and spoke with the chef behind the operation but also witnessed firsthand how these experiences give back to the community and transform lives.

Founded in 2006, Arc Culinary operates as a social enterprise of Arc Broward, which began as a small nonprofit in 1956 serving children with developmental disabilities. Today, it’s one of the largest providers in Broward County, serving over one million meals annually. Through its innovative culinary training programs, Arc Culinary not only prepares nutritious meals but also empowers individuals with disabilities and other life challenges by providing valuable job skills and employment opportunities in the food service industry.

“We do something called food service management, which essentially means we go into places like The Covenant House, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, and House of Hope and take over their kitchens,” said Craig when discussing daily operations. “We staff their kitchens, write their menus, serve three square meals a day, two snacks, and any boxed or to-go meals. It’s a lot happening on any given day, and our role in culinary is to help provide for all these people, not just through food but through education.”

While food service management is a key component of Arc Culinary’s success, it’s just one part of the larger revenue-generating wheel that keeps their mission going. Another significant part is their Chef Experience Dinners.

Held regularly throughout the month, these exclusive four-course, chef-led dinners offer guests the chance to engage with the community while learning about the organization’s impact. “When I get to educate people at a Chef Experience Dinner, a lot of them think they’re just coming out for a meal. However, when they realize that every penny they spent is going toward funding those programs, they understand they’re part of something much bigger. That’s the top of the mountain right there.”

“I take a poll at the beginning of every dinner to see how many people are returning guests and how many are new. We usually see a 50/50 split.” This trend held true during my visit; there was one pleasant surprise, though—there were more first-timers than repeat attendees. The theme of the night’s event made it easy to see why. Called “Summer Truffles,” the experience was centered around one of the most sought-after ingredients in the culinary world.

Chef Craig and his team opened the night with a Truffled Bruschetta served on a herbed sourdough crust, topped with black truffle pâté, cherry tomato confit, and fresh burrata. While the original plan called for oyster mushrooms, they were removed to allow the truffles’ flavor to shine. The result was a refreshing and mouthwatering start.

Next came a Tagliatelle al Tartufo—a pasta dish featuring a rich black truffle sauce, sliced summer truffles, and pangrattato for a pleasant crunch. The third course offered a beautifully cooked Herb-Crusted NY Strip, seasoned with black and purple salt and served with Truffled Sweet Potato Fries that perfectly complemented the steak. Every bite left guests deeply satisfied.

While the food was phenomenal, it was Chef Craig’s message that truly resonated with me and the others at my table. Knowing that all proceeds go toward Arc Broward’s mission is the real reward.

If you’re looking for your next date night idea, look no further. Arc Culinary offers an unforgettable dining experience that delights your palate and makes a real difference in the community.

For more information visit: Chef Experiences page at https://arcculinary.com/chef-experience-dinners/ or the Arc Culinary home page at https://arcculinary.com/

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Events

Palace Bar Is Turning Up the Volume for Women’s Month and Miami Music Week

Published

3 days ago

March 5, 2026

McKaela Lulic

Ocean Drive landmark Palace Bar celebrates Women’s Month, Miami Music Week, and its 38th year with international DJs, rooftop parties, and a full month of nightlife programming.

March 4, 2026

If there’s one place on Ocean Drive that consistently knows how to throw a party, it’s Palace Bar Miami Beach.

The iconic LGBTQ+ venue at 1052 Ocean Drive is stepping into March with a packed calendar of nightlife events, international DJs, rooftop takeovers, and new programming celebrating Women’s Month and Miami Music Week 2026.

For nearly four decades, Palace has been one of the most recognizable venues in Miami Beach nightlife. Known for its legendary drag brunches, high-energy performances, and rooftop events overlooking Ocean Drive, the venue continues to evolve while staying rooted in the community that helped make it a South Beach institution.

This month, the programming stretches beyond the building itself.

A rooftop launch and beachside hospitality

March begins with Palace stepping directly onto the sand.

On Sunday, March 1, the venue hosted VIP cabanas at the Winter Party Beach Party on 10th Street Beach, bringing premium cocktail and bottle service hospitality directly to the shoreline.

Later that same day, Palace launched AURÉA: Where Day Turns Legendary, a new weekly luxury rooftop Sunday series designed around golden-hour energy and sunset views over Ocean Drive.

The opening event featured DJ Juka from Mexico alongside opening DJ JRNY, setting the tone for what Palace hopes will become a signature weekly rooftop experience.

A new seasonal cocktail collection

A few days later, on Wednesday, March 4, the venue unveiled its Spring and Summer Cocktail Collection.

The seasonal menu introduces fresh flavor profiles, vibrant presentation, and a signature drink designed to define the months ahead. The launch arrives just as Miami’s event season begins heating up ahead of Miami Music Week and the busy spring calendar across South Beach.

Sunset Sapphire launches March 21

The celebrations continue on Saturday, March 21 with the debut of Sunset Sapphire, a new monthly nightlife experience launching during Women’s Month.

Hosted by queer influencer couple Zashia Santiago and Tay Tate, the event blends music, cocktails, movement, and immersive visual moments into a vibrant night celebrating women and their communities.

Set in the heart of the Ocean Drive nightlife district, Sunset Sapphire aims to become one of Miami Beach’s newest signature nightlife gatherings.

Palace becomes a Miami Music Week hub

Later in the month, Miami Music Week arrives and Palace Bar transforms into a multi-day destination for DJs, producers, and music lovers visiting the city from around the world.

From March 26 through March 29, the venue will host four nights of programming across both its rooftop and main space.

The weekend begins Thursday, March 26 with a label-driven showcase presented in partnership with HOTL Records. The event will feature more than fifteen DJs performing across an extended lineup.

On Friday, March 27, the energy moves to the rooftop with “We’re Never Going Home,” a takeover presented alongside Groove Cruise. More than twenty-five DJs will perform across a marathon rooftop and venue experience that runs from afternoon into the early morning hours.

One of the biggest highlights arrives Saturday, March 28 when Younan Music hosts its Miami Music Week showcase at Palace. Running from 12 PM to 4 AM, the event will feature more than fifteen DJs and a lineup of internationally recognized house and electronic artists including Carlo Lio, Juanito, Saeed Younan, Sirus Hood, Vito (UK), Eddie Lopez, Adriano Longi, and Diezel.

The weekend wraps up Sunday, March 29 with a community-focused finale presented by Palace Productions. The closing event will spotlight more than ten local LGBTQ+ DJs and highlight Palace’s continued commitment to uplifting queer artists in Miami’s nightlife scene.

A busy month for a South Beach institution

Alongside the music programming, Palace continues celebrating its 38th year as one of Miami Beach’s most iconic nightlife venues.

Whether guests arrive for rooftop DJs, seasonal cocktails, or simply to soak in the energy of Ocean Drive, the venue remains one of the city’s most recognizable destinations for nightlife and entertainment.

South Florida Insider will also be covering select Palace Bar events throughout the month, including the Sunset Sapphire launch on March 21 and the Younan Music Miami Music Week showcase on March 28.

Additional coverage and highlights from both nights will follow after the events.

March event highlights

Winter Party Beach Party VIP cabanas — March 1
AURÉA rooftop series launch — March 1
Spring and Summer Cocktail Collection debut — March 4
Sunset Sapphire launch — March 21
HOTL Records showcase — March 26
We’re Never Going Home rooftop takeover — March 27
Younan Music Miami Music Week showcase — March 28
Palace Productions community finale — March 29