A Seat at the Table: James Beard Foundation Brings One-Night-Only Culinary Collaboration to Miami
Miami to Host Taste America® 2025 Pop-Up at Sra. Martinez
For one evening only this fall, Miami’s dining scene will play host to a high-profile culinary convergence. On Wednesday, October 29 at 7 p.m., the James Beard Foundation’s® Taste America® series lands in the Magic City, transforming Sra. Martinez into a stage for two celebrated chefs: Aaron Brooks, of Sunny’s, and Michelle Bernstein, the powerhouse behind the hosting venue.
Presented by Capital One, this rare pop-up dinner offers an intimate setting for guests to experience the James Beard Foundation’s mission of Good Food for Good®—an initiative committed to championing sustainability, community, and culinary excellence through the lens of independent restaurants.
A National Platform for Local Powerhouses
Now in its 2025–2026 season, Taste America® spans 20 cities, spotlighting a curated selection of visionary chefs and the restaurants that help define their regions. In Miami, that spotlight shines brightly on Aaron Brooks, a 2025–2026 TasteTwenty chef—a designation reserved for culinary talents recognized for both innovation in the kitchen and leadership across the industry.
“What sets TasteTwenty chef Aaron Brooks apart is not just his incredible approach to modern-American cuisine as seen in his wood-fire grilling techniques, handmade pasta creations, and high-end proteins, but his commitment to making a difference beyond the kitchen through his passion for product and vibrant flavors. This combination of outstanding craft and leadership is exactly what our TasteTwenty program celebrates.”
Siobhan Flaherty Haber, Vice President of Events at the James Beard Foundation
The collaboration with Michelle Bernstein, one of Miami’s most respected culinary voices, adds a distinct layer of regional depth. Her restaurant Sra. Martinez, known for its elevated yet approachable style, will serve as the canvas for this highly anticipated event.
What to Expect: A Multi-Course Celebration
The October 29 dinner promises more than a seat at the table—it’s an invitation to experience the culinary intersection of innovation and identity. Guests will enjoy a multi-course tasting menu, wine pairings, and cocktails designed to highlight the chefs’ distinct styles while harmonizing their shared dedication to excellence and seasonality.
The collaboration underscores the James Beard Foundation’s belief that food is more than sustenance—it’s culture, conversation, and catalyst. Every bite reflects the ethos behind Good Food for Good®, and every ticket purchased supports the Foundation’s wider mission to build a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for independent restaurants and the culinary community.
More Than a Dinner—It’s a Movement
“This special event celebrates the independent restaurants and visionary chefs who are leading American food culture forward through excellence and through the kind of positive leadership our industry needs."
Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation
Taste America isn’t a tour of celebrity chefs—it’s a showcase of local integrity and national impact. Proceeds from the event help fund programs that support chef advocacy, sustainable sourcing, and equity in the food system.
Guests who attend the Miami pop-up become part of a growing community of conscious diners supporting a future where food is not only good—but also good for the planet, good for workers, and good for business.
With two of Miami’s most exciting chefs at the helm and the support of one of the industry’s most respected culinary institutions, this evening promises a fusion of purpose, flavor, and community. The table is set. All that’s missing is you.