Join us at Food Entrepreneurs Dish! – Wild West Edition on Wednesday, March 11, 2020.
Why are influential culinary entrepreneurs going west to neighborhoods such as Doral, Hialeah, Kendall and more—areas where perhaps smaller strip mall gems or chain restaurants once ruled?
Discover what some of Miami’s most dynamic and influential culinary entrepreneurs have to say about what makes Miami-Dade’s western side so desirable right now at Food Entrepreneurs Dish – The Wild West Edition with Venture X Doral on March 11, 2020, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. [UPDATED DATE]
Miami New Times Food Editor Laine Doss will moderate two 45-minute panels–one a conversation on why culinary business owners are headed to dynamic Doral, followed by a talk about Southwest Miami-Dade in general
The evening will include mingling over complimentary bites and drink samples provided by some of the participating entrepreneurs. We’ll talk about the challenges and advantages of being ‘west of 95.’
Participating Culinary Entrepreneurs
Joining us for the honest and insightful conversation are:
Nedal Ahmad and Otto Othman – co-founders of PINCHO, formerly known as Pincho Factory
At a family barbecue in 2010, while Nedal was making his family-famous burgers and taking turns with his cousin Otto Othman – who was grilling up some of his mother’s equally-famous meat and vegetable skewers, the duo cooked up more than just delicious food. Looking to make changes in their careers, Nedal and Otto decided that these simple elements – burgers and kebabs – would make the perfect springboard for a successful fast-casual chain.
The dream was hatched: to open their own restaurant, serving delicious burgers and skewers of undeniable quality, made with the freshest ingredients. With $6.27 left in Nedal’s bank account and his friends and family by his side, Ahmad’s journey led to what is now one of South Florida’s most homegrown fast-casual success stories.
On the heels of its win of the 2015 Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival Amstel Light People’s Choice Award, Pincho Factory is rapidly expanding its South Florida presence.
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Gilbert Arismendi – general manager and co-owner of Morelia Gourmet Paletas
Opening the first paleta shop in Coral Gables, with a focus on fresh, artisanal ingredients, Morelia Gourmet Paletas, is now headed west opening a kiosk at The Doral Yard–Doral was the number one neighborhood where the business owners wanted to open a new location. Find out why at Food Entrepreneurs Dish-Wild West Edition.
Mariana Cortez – founder of Bunnie Cakes
Mariana started Bunnie Cakes as a side hustle, transforming her Venezuelan grandmother’s cake recipes into gluten-free, vegan treats. Finding herself baking until 2 or 3 in the morning after her day job so she decided to go all in.
After opening a Wynwood storefront, Mariana was invited to sell her cupcakes at Whole Foods and Starbucks. She is just about to open a retail location in Downtown Doral.
Della Heiman – founder of della bowls, The Wynwood Yard and co-founder of The Doral Yard
The Wynwood Yard, Miami’s first culinary incubator and community hub, was galvanized by Della’s experience attempting to find a location for della bowls in Miami. della test kitchen was a prototype restaurant within The Yard, designed to gather and adapt to community feedback in real-time.
In 2019, Della partnered with Joe Furst, one of the driving forces behind Wynwood’s revitalization, to bring the Yard concept to Downtown Doral. The Doral Yard, an expansion of the original Yard, will open in early 2020.
Matt Kuscher – founder of Stephen’s Deli, La Cocina Coctelería, Kush Wynwood, Kush at Time Out Market, LoKal, The Spillover, Vicky’s House
Known for creating stellar restaurants that reject pretension in favor of amazing food and offbeat–but approachable–vibes, Matt Kuscher most recently revived Stephen’s Deli in Hialeah, in order to save the last true Jewish deli in Miami. He’s since fallen in love with the area and a few months ago, opened La Cocina Coctelería next to Stephen’s Deli.
Eddie Leon – co-founder of M.I.A. Beer Company
A self-proclaimed ‘liquid architect,’ Eddie first started brewing while studying architecture at F.I.U. Despite being questioned about his choice of neighborhood, Leon opened trailblazing M.I.A. Beer Co. in Doral, because it was more affordable, but also because it’s his community. M.I.A. currently ships beer around the country and has since expanded to a 21,000-square-foot brewery and taproom.
Sandy Sanchez – co-founder of La Fresa Francesa, Silverlake Bistro
Sandy pours her heart and soul into every detail of her restaurants–from the music, the decor to the way she greets every guest.
A hidden Hialeah gem, La Fresa Francesa became so popular, the couple expanded it to the space next door two-and-a-half years ago. Sandy and her partner, Benoit Rablat, also opened Silverlake Bistro in North Beach a year ago.
Join us on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, to learn from these culinary entrepreneurs, to network and to taste. Tickets for Food Entrepreneurs Dish ($5) are on sale now.