The 14th annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is partnering with Chef Art Smith as he hosts #101GayWeddings at The James Royal Palm on Saturday, February 21, 2015. A longtime friend of theFestival, Smith’s social media driven campaign to celebrate the legal passing of marriage equality in the State of Florida with a free wedding for 101 couples in the beautiful James Breezeway is the perfect addition to the star-studded Festival weekend.
Since late January, the Festival, alongside Smith and The James Royal Palm, have been driving a social media campaign to release 50 passes to the public to attend the wedding reception with a guest. Winners have the ability to make an optional direct donation to the LGBTQA Club at Florida International University (FIU).
#101GayWeddings will include a one-of-a-kind wedding cake from celebrity chef and Festival veteran Duff Goldman and a special toast courtesy of Moët Ice Imperial, during the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival weekend.
Following the wedding, newlyweds and winners of the social media driven campaign will enjoy a cocktail reception featuring bites from a handful of South Florida’s best chefs and a dance party featuring DJ Chi Chi LaRue. FIU’s LGBTQA Club will be on-site to raise additional funds for the organization.
Partnering with Smith for the occasion is acclaimed local Chef Todd Erickson. I sat down with Chef Art Smith and Chef Todd Erickson to discuss the upcoming #101GayWeddings event at this year’s Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival and more.
Rafa Carvajal: What inspired you to host the #101GayWeddings event, taking place at The James Royal Palm on Saturday, February 21?
Art Smith: I am a Floridian by birth and I am returning with my family. I adopted four kids and I wanted my family acknowledged. Florida has hosted the LGBT community for years: from Key West to the celebrations in Orlando, such as its famed bear parties and Gay Days at Disney, to South Beach hosting every LGBT fashionista and music person from around the world, and the legendary White Parties. Gay marriage is finally here. Let's celebrate. Let's party!
RC: What does marriage equality in Florida mean to you?
AS: We finally have it! We all waited a long time for marriage equality to come to Florida. The Sunshine State has been in the darkness, and thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court, marriage equality is now a reality in Florida.
RC: What do you expect to be the most popular wedding dish?
AS: Anything prepared by one of Miami's great chefs at #101GayWeddings.
RC: What is your personal favorite wedding dish?
AS: Chef Lorena Garcia's Arepas filled with Shepard Craig Rogers Border Springs Roasted Lamb and Chef Duff Goldman's Wedding Cake. Served with endless bottles of my favorite champagne, Moët & Chandon.
RC: In general, what do you see as the "it" ingredients in cooking and dining in 2015?
AS: I see food trends with cleaner, fresher ingredients in less fussy environments. Usually, the simpler the better.
RC: What are your thoughts on the culinary scene in Miami and Miami Beach?
AS: Miami is the gateway to Latin America. Exciting and so delicious. I love the food from Michy's, The Cypress Room, Yardbird, and many more, but I adore old standbys like those amazing walk-up counters for Cuban coffee or the classic Cuban sandwich.
RC: What do you see as your "breakout" moment or moments in your career?
AS: Meeting Oprah Winfrey in Chicago and her bringing me back to Miami, where I met my beloved husband Jesus. Strangely, our four adopted kids from Illinois were born without our knowledge in Hialeah, Florida, Cuban American, Puerto Rican. My other great breakout was Oprah telling America to try my Fried Chicken.
RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?
AS: Please let everyone know that we have room for more couples to marry or renew vows at #101GayWeddings.
I also want to let Florida know we are coming home with our four kids. Expect our family to turn a town with cake, and in the near future, a restaurant where magic is made.
Rafa Carvajal: Tell us about how you got involved in #101GayWeddings.
Todd Erickson: Art and I have had a fun Twitter relationship over the past few years, mostly concentrating on two topics: food and gay/human rights. Art is a fun and charismatic person with some serious drive. When he asks you to get involved, it's hard to say no!
RC: What inspired you to collaborate with Chef Art Smith for this event?
TE: After the wild success of last year's Big Gay Ice Cream Social, we had decided to throw the same party, but bigger and better this time around. We were in the initial planning stages when it was announced that gay marriage would become a reality in Florida as of January 6, 2015. As soon as it was announced, like to the minute, Art and I were messaging each other about how we can turn this into a celebration. Art decided on #101GayWeddings, because we Florida gays have our own Cruella DeVille in Attorney General Pam Bondi. From there we knew that a huge wedding cake would be necessary, as well as a badass reception filled with great food and lots of booze and music.
RC: Describe your involvement in #101GayWeddings.
TE: For this year's festivities, I have been made responsible for asking Miami’s best chefs to participate in the reception. The positive response has been overwhelming; Miami’s best chefs love us gays! In addition to the "chef wrangler" title, I am also the one on the ground in Miami working out logistics with our host venue to ensure a smooth event. On the day of the event, Chi Chi LaRue and I will be co-hosting the reception.
RC: What are you most looking forward to at #101GayWeddings?
TE: This is a really special event. There is no doubt that the feeling of joy at The James will be palpable. I am so excited to see the faces of the couples that have waited so long to be recognized in a legitimate marriage. I also think this will be a great excuse for everyone to party their asses off.
RC: What does marriage equality in Florida mean to you?
TE: With gay marriage becoming legal in Florida, I have been asked countless times when my special day will be. My answer is, I don’t know. It could be this year or it may never happen. Regardless of that, what matters is that I am happy and loved and the government can no longer tell me "no" should the opportunity present itself.
RC: What do you expect to be the most popular wedding dish?
TE: I cannot play favorites, although I am looking forward to Duff’s cake. It's been years since I’ve had a bite from Charm City!
RC: What is your personal favorite wedding dish?
TE: Is there such a thing as a wedding dish? As far as I know, wedding food is known for its shittiness. What I can tell you is that all of the chefs will be bringing their A-Game on Saturday the 21st. Everything that is served at the reception will be made and served with love.
RC: What are your thoughts on the evolving culinary scene in Miami and Miami Beach and what the South Beach Wine and Food Festival means for our city?
TE: I think it is absolutely remarkable how much progress this city has made in just a few years. We have become a world-class destination for innovative independent restaurants with emphasis on our diverse population and indigenous ingredients. My peers in this city continue to excite and innovate, which has garnered us as a city quite a bit of positive attention.
RC: What is the most memorable dining experience you have had?
TE: Ever? Wow, that’s a really tough one. It's hard to choose just one. I have had so many insane dining experiences that are so vastly different that there would be no way to choose or categorize them.
RC: Is there anything else you would like to share with Wire Magazine readers?
TE: If any readers are interested in getting "#101GayWeddings" or are interested in renewing their vows at the event, we may still have availability!
This article was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 07.2015
