Chubby pairs -- especially chefs -- sought for weight-loss TV show

The casting producer for a new reality weight-loss show is in Miami this week looking for pairs of people -- spouses, colleagues, pals, whatever -- who between them need to lose 100 pounds or more. He's particularly interested in culinary professionals: ``Ideally, we would have two chefs and/or aspiring chefs on a team,'' Jonathan Groce writes.

Classes at Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, Azul

Philippe Pinon, executive chef of the Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove, leads a series of classes on hosting a posh potluck party for $10 or less per guest. They begin Saturday with the appetizer course, toasted orzo salad with grilled garlic shrimp, followed by a pair of entrees, gourmet meatloaf on Nov. 15 and chicken and gnocchi ``pot pie'' on Dec. 12, and dessert, trifle tiramisu and berries Romanoff, on Dec. 19. The 4-6 p.m. classes include a glass of wine, an apron, a Whole Foods shopping bag, recipe card and tastings. Cost is $52 per session; 305-644-4680.
Schwartz on Food Network, Texas de Brazil in Hallandale and more

Catch Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink Friday on Rachael Ray's Rachael's Vacation. The farm-to-table-themed show, which airs at 11 p.m. on the Food Network, was shot in part at Homestead's Paradise Farms and Schwartz's Design District restaurant during the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
Bova names Casa Casuarina chef

The Boca Raton-based Bova Group is taking over the restaurant at South Beach's storied Casa Casuarina, the one-time Versace mansion, installing a ``modern Italian menu'' overseen by Wolfgang Birk, who will serve as both executive and corporate chef. Birk comes to the job from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in suburban Washington, D.C., where he was executive chef and general manager of two dining venues. On Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas Boulevard, a cigar and martini bar called Bova Smoke will join the company's Bova Prime. Both openings are expected ``before the end of the year,'' a spokeswoman says.
Deals at Chef Allen's, 5300 Chop House

Chef-owner Allen Susser has added a sea-themed $42 tasting menu at Chef Allen's, 19088 NE 29th Ave., Aventura, featuring conch ceviche, yellowfin tuna poke, stone crab salad, blue crab cake, wild Florida shrimp bisque shooter, cucumber melon gelee, sesame-crusted Indian River soft shell crab, rock shrimp lo-mein, wood-grilled wild wahoo and chanterelle and lobster mushroom faro risotto with aged sherry vinaigrette; 305-935-2900.
Special events at Siam Palace, Flamingo Gardens, Sushisamba, Mariposa

Marc Buoniconti hosts 20th anniversary festivities Thursday evening at Siam Palace, 9999 Sunset Dr., Miami. Buoniconti, president of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, will join founder-owner Cynthia Halelamien in launching the restaurant's sushi bar. New specials include two-for-one beer and wine on Mondays, half-price Miami and California rolls on Tuesdays and $4 sake bombs on Wednesday. Through Nov. 12, customers will be offered free sushi samples; 305-279-6906, siampalacemiami.com.
Salsa Fiesta opening; Sushi Maki, Primo Pizza, Don Pan expand

Salsa Fiesta Urban Mexican Grill plans to open this week at 2929 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, boasting a fast-casual menu in a full-service setting. Tacos, burritos and fajitas are joined by salads, soups and Caribbean sides like tostones (twice-fried plantain slices). Sauces and dips are made fresh daily, according to an announcement, and whole wheat tortillas are available along with gluten-free and vegetarian options. Beverages included imported beers. Salsa Fiesta, which has its own parking lot, is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; 305-400-8390.
Promotions in Gables Thursday, Upper East Side Saturday

It's heartening to see communities support their restaurants in these tough times, to wit:
The Coral Gables Business Improvement District launches its Get Your Gables on Thursdays promotion this week, featuring happy-hour and other specials at more than 70 eateries. From a glass of sangria and two beef empanadas for $10 at Novecento to free wine and chocolate samples at Peterbrooke Chocolatier, you'll find the details at www.shopcoralgables.com.
Deals at Archie's, Azul, Ishq, Urbanite and more

Archie's Gourmet Pizza, 166 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables, will take 30 percent off your tab on Tuesdays if you pay cash; 305-444-1557.
Family Circle's Food University comes to Ikea

Cafe Maxx chef-owner Oliver Saucy leads a free session of Family Circle's Food University from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ikea, 151 NW 136th Ave., Sunrise. Saucy will demonstrate recipes from the magazine, talk about local produce and offer tips for easy entertaining. Also on the program: Adriana Martin, founder of Fit Mom For Life. Details: www.myfoodu.com.
Chefs in the news: Van Aken, LoSasso, Jacobs, Rothschild, Sinclair

Norman Van Aken's much-anticipated return to the South Florida dining scene with Norman's 180 at the Westin Colonnade Hotel, 180 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables.
Learn business etiquette at Bankers Club dinner

It actually is OK to put your elbows on the table -- but only after you've finished eating. So says Sonia Jacobson, who will lead a dinner seminar on business etiquette at the Bankers Club, One Biscayne Tower, Miami, on Wednesday. Jacobson will cover such fine points as who should be seated where and who orders first and such faux pas as what to do if you spill wine on your guest. Cocktails (cash bar) are at 6:30 p.m., with the three-course meal at 7:15 p.m. Cost is $39.95 for Bankers Club members, $49.95 for others. Reserve at 305-374-1448, or reservations@thebankersclub.com.
Publix launching `Redland Raised' branding campaign for local produce

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez is set to attend the kickoff for Publix Super Markets' Redland Raised branding initiative for locally grown produce at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Tropicaire Shopping Center Publix, 7805 SW 40th St., Miami; 305-375-5071.
Tidbits from Todd English, Bin 18, Crazy Pianos, Cacao, Schnebly's

Miami.com's Sara Liss reports that chef Todd English guided more than 50 guests through a wine-soaked feast of house-made burrata caprese salad, suckling pig ravioli with white truffles and braised short ribs with black truffles at his Fort Lauderdale restaurant, da Campo Osteria, last week. ``The more wine you drink, the funnier I get,'' joked English, who was joined by Ruffino Wines CEO Adolfo Folonari.
Eat well, do good for March of Dimes and more

The 12th annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs & Wine Extravaganza takes place Thursday at Jungle Island, featuring the talents of more than 30 South Florida chefs led by chair Cindy Hutson of Ortanique on the Mile. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. event are $150 in advance, $175 at the door; $250 VIP admission includes a 6:30 p.m. reception. Call 305-477-1192 or visit marchofdimes.com/florida.
Wine dinners at China Grill, Lola's, Michy's

China Grill and Kobe Club Miami, 404 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, host a six-course, bring-your-own-wine dinner Thursday that begins with a 7:30 p.m. vodka reception and moves on to such dishes as macadamia-crusted mahi mahi and braised Mongolian-style short rib. Cost is $55 and reservations are required; 305-534-2211.
New co-op offers home delivery of local, organic produce

The Miami Beach-based Market Company, which operates nearly a dozen South Florida farmers markets, is expanding its reach this season with the Fresh Food Co-op. Organized like a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program, the co-op is offering weekly boxes of locally grown and organic produce, dairy products and specialty items (e.g., artisan bread, local honey) for 24 weeks beginning in mid-November.
Newly open: Talavera, Taj Mahal, Anthonys in Miami Lakes

Talavera, a Mexican restaurant from the folks behind the Grove's Jaguar Ceviche, opened for lunch and dinner daily this week at 2299 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables. An announcement describes executive chef Oscar Del Rivero's menu as traditional Mexican with a twist, and boasts that no item is more than $18; 305-444-2955, www.talaveraspot.com.
Deals at Bourbon Steak, Prima Pasta, Red, Sra. Martinez

Bourbon Steak at the Fairmont Turnberry Isle, 19999 W. Country Club Dr., Aventura, is discounting all by-the-bottle wines by 50 percent on Mondays; 786-279-6600.
SoBe Wine & Food Fest tickets on sale Monday

Tickets go on sale Monday for the 2010 South Beach Wine & Food Festival. In addition to a full complement of Food Network personalities, the Feb. 25-28 event will feature chef Daniel Boulud as tribute-dinner honoree and the mother-son team of Lidia Bastianich and Joe Bastianich as interactive-dinner hosts. Also in the spotlight: Design District restaurants Sra. Martinez, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Pacific Time and Fratelli Lyon; www.sobewineandfoodfest.com.
New Sunday brunches at BLT, Michael's

BLT Steak at The Betsy, 1440 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, has begun serving brunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sundays. The $24 prix-fixe menu includes a bloody mary, mimosa or bellini and a choice of entrees such as popover poached eggs (a take on eggs benedict), croque monsieur (hot ham and cheese) and a scrambled egg, black bean and Cheddar burrito. The $14 Oceanside Basket comes with croissants, pain au chocolat, Danish, scone, coffee cake, a muffin and lemon pound cake; 305-673-0044.
Deals at Boston Market, Piccadilly, Wine It Down

Boston Market is offering a free children's meal with each $6-plus adult meal purchased through Oct. 31. Order a family meal and feed four tots for free. You must have the kids along to take advantage of the offer; www.bostonmarket.com.
Dinner aids students, honors culinary great

Les Dames d'Escoffier Miami hosts a five-course Escoffier Celebration Dinner Friday evening at Florida International University's North Miami campus to salute legendary French chef Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935) and raise money for its scholarship fund. This year's scholarship will be presented in memory of Marcel Escoffier, a grand nephew of ``the king of chefs and the chef of kings'' and an associate professor at FIU's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, who died last month. Tickets cost $65 and must be reserved; reservations@lesdamesmiami.org, 305-283-9485.
Cupcakes Sunday, Ancapri on Tuesday, Signature Chefs Oct. 22.

Buttercream Cupcakes & Coffee, 1411 Sunset Dr., Coral Gables, supports breast cancer research by donating 25 cents from each $2.75 cupcake it sells from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday to the Susan G. Komen Foundation; 305-669-8181.
Bernstein's book honored; Jeannetti new at The Palms

Michelle Bernstein's Cuisine a Latina: Fresh Tastes and a World of Flavors from Michy's Miami Kitchen, has been named one of the 25 best cookbooks of the year by Food & Wine magazine.