Connect with us

Events

Flavors Beyond Borders 2025 Turns Miami Into a Global Culinary Dream

Published

on

A glowing garden dinner, world-class chefs, and Shaggy’s electric performance made this one of the most stunning food events of the year.


November 25, 2025

If Miami ever needed proof that food can be both chic and world-changing, Flavors Beyond Borders delivered it on a silver platter. On November 20, THesis Hotel Coral Gables transformed into a glowing garden soirée, complete with twinkling trees, polished gold flatware, and tables so gorgeous they could have doubled as wedding inspiration boards.

Walking in felt like entering a secret dinner party curated by the universe’s most stylish host. Rows of long, white-linen tables stretched under a canopy of illuminated greenery. Candles flickered between the crisp stemware and lush white floral centerpieces, which gave the entire room a soft, romantic glow. It was giving “Michelin-star fantasy meets Miami dream sequence.”

Once the chefs took over, the night became a full-on culinary passport. The amuse-bouche selection floated out first, each one plated so delicately that guests hesitated before taking the first bite. The butter-poached halibut course arrived like a little edible sculpture on a scalloped white plate, and the crispy duck confit followed with rich golden tones that matched the candlelight around it. Every dish looked straight off the cover of a luxury food magazine.

Performances matched the energy. Shaggy got the room moving with his signature charisma, turning an elegant dinner into a celebration within seconds. Later, Fabrizio Sotti shifted the atmosphere into pure late-night jazz elegance, the kind of set you’d expect in a velvet-wrapped European club.

Throughout the evening, CIA chefs and alums stepped forward to introduce each course with stories, technique, and a kind of heartfelt pride that reminded guests exactly what this night was really about. The event supports the Flavors Beyond Borders Scholarship Fund and the INMERSO Foundation, opening doors for rising CIA talent to chase their culinary careers across cultures and continents.

After dinner, guests floated upstairs to Ivy Rooftop where the vibe flipped into full Miami mode. Think crafted cocktails, cigars, dueling DJs, live percussion, and that unmistakable rooftop breeze that means the party is nowhere near over.

This year’s Flavors Beyond Borders wasn’t just beautiful. It wasn’t just delicious. It was a celebration of talent, culture, generosity, and pure Miami glamour. And judging by the plates, the music, the sparkle, and the crowd, 2025 set the bar very, very high.

For more on the Culinary Institute of America’s programs, restaurants, and student opportunities, visit ciachef.edu. To experience the stunning THesis Hotel Miami for yourself — whether for dinner, drinks, or an overnight escape — explore reservations at thesishotelmiami.com.

McKaela Lulić is a South Florida writer, MBA graduate, and law student with a passion for discovering the stories behind the places everyone is talking about. Whether she's tracking down Miami's hottest new restaurant, covering a can't miss event, or uncovering a hidden gem, she's always looking for experiences worth sharing with readers.

Events

Brews, Bites and Bryant Park

Published

on

A Brew with a View: West Palm Beach Beer Fest Pours on the Flavor with Craft Beer, Cocktails and Bites at Bryant Park.

(more…)

Continue Reading

Events

Monster Jam Sends Sunrise Into Overdrive

Published

on

By

Jon Zimmer Jr. Rules Racing and Skills Before Team Grave Digger Pulls Ahead Through a Wild Mix of Monster Trucks and Freestyle Motocross. (more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

The Hobby Card Show Turns Fort Lauderdale into a Collector’s Playground

Published

on

Cards, collectibles, childhood nostalgia and a loaded celebrity lineup made the Broward County Convention Center feel like one enormous treasure hunt. (more…)

Continue Reading

Events

Luli Fama Launches Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Swimwear Collection in Miami

Published

on

Luli Fama celebrates its Paradise Found Cruise ’27 swimwear and resortwear collection with a luxury Miami launch at its Dadeland Mall boutique.


 August 20, 2026

Miami swimwear favorite Luli Fama is stepping into Cruise ’27 with Paradise Found, a new swimwear and resortwear collection inspired by tropical escapes, exotic prints and effortless vacation glamour.

South Florida Insider has already taken a closer look at the Luli Fama Paradise Found collection, and it feels made for Miami.

The new Cruise ’27 collection combines the bold, body-confident swimwear Luli Fama is known for with elevated resort pieces designed to move effortlessly from the beach and pool to cocktails and dinner.

On Thursday, August 20, Luli Fama will celebrate Paradise Found with an exclusive evening at its newest Dadeland Mall boutique in Miami, complete with fashion, light bites, personalized surprises, and a luxe espresso martini bar.

Inside Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Collection

Paradise Found is inspired by the feeling of discovering a hidden tropical retreat.

Think lush landscapes, warm golden hour light, exotic patterns, and silhouettes made for somewhere beautiful.

The collection features Luli Fama signatures, including flattering ruched details, seamless construction, adjustable fits, and statement swimwear, alongside an expanded selection of resortwear.

We especially love the pieces that blur the line between swim and ready-to-wear.

Flowing dresses, sleek coverups, and body-skimming silhouettes make it easy to transition from a sun-drenched afternoon to an evening out without losing that relaxed resort feeling.

It is sensual, polished, and unmistakably Miami.

Luli Fama Brings Luxury Resort Style to Miami

There is a reason Paradise Found feels so natural in South Florida.

In Miami, resortwear is not reserved for vacation.

A swimsuit can become part of an outfit. A coverup can take you to lunch. A flowing resort dress can carry you from an afternoon by the water straight into cocktails and dinner.

Luli Fama has always understood that lifestyle.

Paradise Found takes it a step further, creating a Cruise ’27 wardrobe that feels as appropriate for a tropical getaway as it does for a weekend in Miami.

The campaign captures that mood beautifully, pairing the collection with palms, lush greenery, tropical architecture and the kind of sun soaked setting that makes you want to extend your vacation indefinitely.

Paradise Found Comes to Luli Fama at Dadeland Mall

Luli Fama will bring the world of Paradise Found to life on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its newest boutique at Dadeland Mall in Miami.

The intimate celebration will bring together invited guests, influencers, celebrities and media for an early look at Cruise ’27.

Luli Fama is also dressing invited guests in pieces from the brand, allowing the new collection to be experienced the way it was designed to be worn: in motion, styled and out for the evening.

Luli After Hours Espresso Martini Bar

Fashion is only part of the experience.

For the Paradise Found celebration, Luli Fama is introducing Luli After Hours, an Espresso Martini Bar inspired by the glamour of the collection.

Guests will be able to sip three specialty espresso martinis created for the evening.

The Luli Babe puts a polished spin on the classic espresso martini, while Golden Hour pairs salted caramel with edible gold shimmer. Miami After Dark takes a richer approach with chocolate hazelnut and a cocoa dust finish.

Along with cocktails, guests can expect light bites, curated details and a special personalized surprise.

The result feels less like a traditional retail event and more like checking into a private resort for the evening.

A Miami Swimwear Brand Celebrates at Home

For a brand with such a strong connection to South Florida, launching Paradise Found in Miami feels especially fitting.

Luli Fama has built its identity around colorful, confident swimwear and resort fashion with a distinctly tropical point of view.

Paradise Found carries that identity into Cruise ’27 while giving it a more elevated, escapist mood.

And with Luli Fama’s newest boutique now at Dadeland Mall, Miami shoppers have another destination to experience the brand in person.

After getting our own closer look at Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 collection, we can safely say the name fits.

Paradise has officially been found, and this time, it is in Miami.

Check out the collection HERE

Continue Reading

Events

Rum Lovers Take Over Fort Lauderdale’s Waterfront

Published

on

Six Themed Bars Transform The Wharf into a Rum Lover’s Waterfront Escape During The National Rum Day Festival. (more…)

Continue Reading

Events

Eight Seconds, Five Riders and One Wild PBR Party

Published

on

By

PBR Teams turns Amerant Bank Arena into a dirt-covered mix of elite athletes, angry bulls, fire, music and an audience that quickly becomes part of the show. (more…)

Continue Reading

Events

Wing Lovers Flocked to Boca for Flavorful Showdown

Published

on

By

Come Hungry, Leave Saucy as South Florida Wing Bash Delivered Another Finger Licking Festival.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Florida Supercon Was a Multiverse of Cosplay and Chaos

Published

on

By

From Daredevil to Darth Vader, Florida Supercon Brought Every Universe Under One Roof.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Trending