Many new faces at this year's Culinary Arts Pavilion

Chef Adrianne Calvo

There will be no shortage of local and international renowned chefs, nationally-acclaimed Award Winning cookbook authors, Wellness Chefs and Food Network TV Personalities appearing at this year’s Coconut Grove Arts Festival’s Culinary Arts Pavilion during Presidents Weekend February 18-20.  

Located in the heart of Meyers Park, the Guest Chef Appearances and Culinary Arts Experiences provide Arts Festival audiences with “live interactive cooking sessions” in a casual kitchen atmosphere reminiscent of The Food Network’s daily cooking lineup. 

Chef Paulette Bilsky

“We are thrilled to present this year’s line-up of amazing chefs that have huge, loyal followings throughout South Florida,” said Monty Trainer, president of the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. “The wonderful diversity of tasty dishes and our ‘New’ Culinary Art Experiences being offered during the weekend will be the finest we’ve ever presented.”  

Among the many chefs from South Florida’s hottest restaurants and hotels participating include Adrianne Calvo, Executive Chef and Owner of Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar who will appear on Saturday. An author of four cookbooks and a television personality, Chef Adrianne has built her career on the foundation of creating Maximum Flavor.  Her extensive inventory of recipes reflect tastes from her many experiences as a chef and worldwide travels.  In 2015, Yelp included Chef Adrianne’s in their top 50 local, non-chain Miami eateries.  In 2013, Miami Magazine and Urban Spoon named her in Best Restaurant Miami. 

Sunday’s Culinary Schedule will feature a musical twist with award winning jazz vocalist and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer, Erin Dickins, appearing.  No newcomer to the food world, Dickins studied at the New York Restaurant School and self-taught herself the Escoffier Method. 

In 2014, Dickins released a new cookbook with an accompanying CD, Sizzle & Swing - Jazzin’ Up Food. In concert with the book/CD release, Dickins launched a new line of herbal seasonings that shares the moniker, Sizzle & Swing.  She has toured and recorded with many notable artists including Leonard Cohen, Bette Midler, James Taylor, The Talking Heads, James Brown, Jaco Pastorius and Ashford & Simpson, to name but a few.  

Also appearing on Sunday is Paulette Bilsky, Corporate Executive Chef for ElectriChef, who will demonstrate the advantages of “flawless electric grilling” while creating healthier recipes for the serious grill masters in the audience. The Arts Festival welcomes back one of Miami’s favorite celebrity chefs Richard Ingraham, the private chef to NBA Super Star Dwayne Wade and owner of ChefRLI.  Chef Ingraham is expected to demonstrate one of his favorite recipes. His clients include entertainment personalities, athletes from the NBA, NFL, MLB and a host of corporate clients nationally.   

The Culinary Program will conclude on Monday with an individual who is internationally-recognized for his trademark chef’s hat and award winning smile.  Popular Latin Celebrity Chef Pepín’s hopes to make Culinary History by setting a new world-record for the largest arroz con pollo. 

Chef Pepin

Chef Pepín’s weekly segments on Spanish television’s #1 rated morning show Univision’s Despierta América have captured a loyal audience of viewers.  In 2012, in an effort to make Hispanics aware of the importance of healthy eating, Chef Pepín partnered up with First Lady Michelle Obama to launch the Latino version of “My Plate”. Joining Chef Pepín in the Culinary Arts Pavilion will be Evan Benn, Editor-In-Chief of Indulge Magazine.  

Other notable restaurants and chefs to be featured in the Culinary Arts Pavilion include Chef Christopher Cramer, Executive Chef of Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge at the Sonesta Coconut Grove, Richard Hales, Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur, Bird & Bone and Paolo Dorigato, Executive Chef of Dolce Italian, LDV Hospitality.