This week's roundup includes paper skylines in Toronto, Lyfe Kitchen's "Unfried Chicken," doughnut-topped milkshakes in Los Angeles, and Cuban sandwiches with a twist in Fort Lauderdale.
The Walrus Foundation held its annual gala at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto on January 20. Tabletops were decked with miniature renderings of the Toronto skyline, created in paper by artist Kalpna Patel.
The 15th edition of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival took place February 24 to 28. Returning sponsor Coca-Cola's activation in the Grand Tasting tents featured a 1950s-theme diner. The brand's red and white colors were used in the furnishings and decor.
The Sweet 15 Dessert reception took place on February 27 at the Villa, Casa Casuarina. A dessert highlight was a fresh take on birthday cake and ice cream from Jean Georges Vongerichten's Matador and Market restaurants at the Miami Beach Edition hotel. The dish consisted of crème fraîche cake, vanilla bean crémeux, confetti nitro ice cream, raspberry gel, a white chocolate candle, and 23-carat edible gold flake.
The cast of Chopped hosted a Bloody Mary Brunch on February 28 outside the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Chef Michael Blum of I Heart Mac & Cheese offered a twist on a Cuban sandwich: Mac 'n' cheese topped with mojo-infused, slow-roasted pulled pork with a homemade chicharron garnish.
Going against the traditional rule of no glasses by the pool, Tervis launched its new line of insulated plastic wine glasses at the Spike the Pool party on February 26. Chef Spike Mendelsohn hosted the event at the Hall hotel, where he recently opened Sunny's restaurant.
For a healthier fried chicken catering option, Lyfe Kitchen offers "Art's Unfried Chicken," named after chef Art Smith. The chicken is coated with whole-wheat panko, seared, and served atop roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, dried cranberries, cashew-cream sauce, and Dijon vinaigrette. The chicken can also be substituted with meat-free proteins from Gardein. Lyfe has locations nationwide, including Chicago; Palo Alto, California; and Boulder, Colorado.
International fitness club chain Equinox has a corporate program called High Performance Living, which involve two- to six-week programs that include teambuilding activities for single departments or entire companies. Activities include 40-minute yoga sessions and Project Run, which lets participants log miles on a treadmill over the course of a challenge.
Essence magazine hosted its ninth annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon on February 25 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. A lip bar from sponsor L'Oréal bore a custom portrait backdrop, surrounded by a high-gloss black and gold frame. In addition to lip shades, guests picked up the event's overstuffed, extremely heavy gift bag created by Gift Bags by Rachael as they left.
The 24th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing party took place at West Hollywood Park on February 28. Desserts at the after-party included espresso milkshakes topped with mini doughnuts on straws.
For a winter-theme meeting break idea, Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in suburban Washington, D.C., has a "blue break" that features a variety of icy blue snacks, including jelly beans, donuts with blue frosting, blueberry lemonade, and "snow balls" made from marshmallows and coconut.
