The Zoological Society of Florida held its 19th annual Feast With the Beasts, presented by Ryder Charitable Foundation at Zoo Miami on March 2. The event, which raises money for the zoo’s education and conservation programs, drew more than 1,300 guests dressed in safari and cocktail attire. Attendees strolled the lit pathways at the zoo while tasting dishes from vendors, watching live performances, and visiting with the animals. This year's installment also brought together 40 participating South Florida restaurants, caterers, and beverage providers, more than in previous years.
On the zoo's main path, vendors set up tables in six areas, each separated by food type: healthy living, Asian, European, Latin American, American, and Mediterranean. To coincide with the cuisine, each section also had themed entertainment. The Asian portion had Fushu Daiko Japanese drummers; the European displays had Flamenco dancers from the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts' Flamenco Festival; the Latin American space showcased harps, flutes, samba dancers, and Tabanica Cigars; Band Endless Possibilities with Jon Saxx on the saxophone and dancers from local dance studio SimpCity Dancers performed in the American section; and the Mediterranean area featured belly dancers from Belly Motions and Samay Mideast Performing Arts, plus a hookah lounge provided by Caidal Events.
As guests dined on dishes like ahi tuna sashimi from Bonefish Grill and lamb lollipops with sweet potatoes from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, they mingled with parrots, snakes, lizards, chinchillas, ponies, skunks, hawks, and other animals.
The event continued with an after-party with a DJ and performers, including belly and Flamenco dancers on the main stage at Dr. Wilde’s World, the zoo's on-site gallery.