Paradise Found

Dinner in Paradise, a monthly series of charity-driven feasts at Paradise Farms in Homestead, inaugurates its third season this Sunday, December 2nd. Paradise proprietor Gabriele Marewski and Michael Schwartz co-founded the event, which is set outdoors on the farm. “There is something very special about eating great food and drinking fine wines in an out-of-the-way setting” says Marewski, “under the stars in the middle of winter.”

The scene starts at 5:00 p.m. with cocktail reception and farm tour. An hour later the guests (maximum of 60) sit outdoors for a six-course dinner cooked by the evening’s featured chefs and highlighting local, organic products paired with wines. Proceeds this season will benefit TREEmendous Miami, a volunteer community-based organization that plants and preserves trees in Miami-Dade County.

This weeks’ all-star lineup of talent is headed by chef Allen Susser (Chef Allen’s). With Mark spending his time in Las Olas, Norman in Key West, Jonathan Eismann in hiatus, and Robbin Haas chilling out on an island somewhere, Susser represents the last Mango-Man standing in Miami. Chef Michael Jacobs (Grass Restaurant & Lounge) and chef Alex Asteinza (of the yet-to-open Canyon Ranch) round out the team.

Six more dinners will follow. The next one, January 13th, is being prepared by chefs Sandee Birdsong (Tantra), Andrew Litherland (Bizcaya at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove), and Gordon Mabury and Brett Rayon of Preston’s at the Loews Hotel. Notwithstanding Susser, the big guns of our gastronomic scene are being saved for future dates. These include Govind Armstrong (Table 8), Michael Bloise (Wish), Giancarla Bodoni (Escopazzo), Schwartz (Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink) -- plus a few other heavy hitters. We’ll keep you posted as they come up.

Advance reservations are required and can be made by visiting www.paradisefarms.net or calling 305-248-4181. -- Lee Klein